Skin Maths: How to Pair Skincare Ingredients
If e=mc² and a²+b²=c², then which skincare products work best together? Liberty has pairing skincare ingredients down to a perfect science
By: Shannon PeterRead more
Skin Maths: How to Pair Skincare Ingredients
If e=mc² and a²+b²=c², then which skincare products work best together? Liberty has pairing skincare ingredients down to a perfect science
By: Shannon Peter
As anyone that’s clued up on skincare pairings will tell you, to get the most out of one skincare ingredient, it's often best to team it up with another complementary ingredient. Sometimes, the pair work synergistically to maximise the results of your overall skincare routine. Other times, combining certain ingredients can help remedy some of their less-than-appealing side effects (retinol, we’re looking at you). But which ingredients are a match made in dermatological heaven? Here, we share five exemplary ingredient combinations to try now.
Read More: How to curate the ultimate morning skincare routine
Salicylic Acid + Retinal
Anyone with congested, breakout-prone, oily skin ought to get acquainted with salicylic acid and retinal (vitamin A). These ingredients come together to smooth, clarify and decongest the appearance of skin. Salicylic acid travels into the pores to soften and dissolve congestion-causing keratin. Vitamin A, in general, is able to help normalise cell turnover and reduce the amount of sebum that skin produces, which helps to minimise blocked pores and blemishes.
Try: Kate Somerville MEGA-A Skin Transforming Serum and Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
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Kate Somerville
MEGA-A Skin Transforming Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Skin Rocks
Retinoid 2 Vitamin A Face Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Aesop
In Two Minds Facial Cleanser 200ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Trinny London
Overnight Clarity 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Paula's Choice
Clear Cleanser 177ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Read More: The first step to building your routine is first learning the correct order of skincare products
Vitamin C + SPF
Using vitamin C and sunscreen together will offer skin ultimate protection. They can work in synergy to protect the skin from environmental damage, whether that be from pollution or from UV rays. As an antioxidant, vitamin C is able to diffuse the effects of the UV rays that do manage to make it through your sunscreen’s filters, particularly in areas where your application (or reapplication) may have been lacking. Vitamin C can supercharge your sunscreen by ensuring effective protection and repair for your skin.
Try: Skin Rocks The Antixodiant and Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Skin Screen
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Ultra Violette
Supreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating SKINSCREEN™ 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Skin Rocks
The Antioxidant 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Westman Atelier
Suprême C Serum 20ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Trinny London
Boost Up 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Ultra Violette
Queen Screen SPF 50+ Luminising Serum SKINSCREEN™ 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Cream SPF 30 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Sunday Riley
C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Emma Lewisham
Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dermalogica
Protection 50 Sport SPF50 156ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
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Exfoliating Acids + SPF
SPF is a must, but it is especially important if you use skincare acids, as some can leave skin more sensitive to sun damage due to the increased exfoliation of the skin. First, limit the use and potency of any acid-based product, as overuse of high strength AHA/BHAs everyday can leave the skin barrier impaired, leading to sensitised and dry skin. Sunscreen is the key to protecting your skincare results, by not letting UV damage undo any of your progress.
Try: Biologique Recherche P50 Lotion and Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème 50ml
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Emma Lewisham
Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Face Crème 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Biologique Recherche
Lotion P50 150ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Skin Rocks
The Gentle Acid Toner 150ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Trinny London
BFF SPF 30 Cream 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Votary
Sensitive Resurfacing Peel 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Kate Somerville
HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50 Drops 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant 13g
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Lancaster
Sun Beauty Sun Protective Fluid SPF30 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
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Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid
Dehydrated skin types should seek solace in this pair. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can work together as a duo to recharge skin hydration. With a unique ability to attract and retain more than 1,000 times its own weight in water, hyaluronic acid can draw moisture from the surrounding atmosphere and lower skin layers to the top levels of the epidermis. Niacinamide, on the other hand, helps to encourage the production of ceramides to help nourish the skin and scaffold the all important skin barrier. Together, they infuse the skin with hydration, while supporting the skin structure to ensure any moisturising effects are long-lasting.
Try: Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml and Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
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Sunday Riley
B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Hyaluronic Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Kiehl's
Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Zelens
Hyaluron Intense Hydro-Plumping Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dermalogica
Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dr Sebagh
Serum Repair 20ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Emma Lewisham
Skin Reset Face Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Trish McEvoy
Beauty Booster Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Trinny London
Energise Me 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Read More: Unlock professional skin advice in a bottle with these expert-led skincare brands
Vitamin A + Ceramides
If you enjoy the myriad benefits that vitamin A can provide, try teaming the ingredient with ceramides. Ceramides can be a great addition to a vitamin A routine, as they will help to offset any dryness that may occur as your skin adjusts to your chosen retinoid. Ceramides are skin-identical emollients, meaning they have the ability to slip into and nourish the natural skin barrier with ease.
Try: Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum 30ml and Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturising Cream, £60
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Augustinus Bader
The Retinol Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Sunday Riley
Ice Ceramide Moisturising Cream 50g
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dermalogica
Hyaluronic Ceramide Mist 150ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Sunday Riley
A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Reome
Firming Eye Treatment
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
111SKIN
Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil 30ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Dr.Jart+
Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturising Cream 50ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Read More: In need of a skincare cleanse? Follow this basic skincare routine