Mixing Skincare Ingredients 101

In the world of skincare, the possibilities can seem endless. With an array of products promising radiant, youthful skin, it's easy to get overwhelmed, especially when it comes to mixing skincare ingredients. Among the powerhouse ingredients are niacinamide, vitamin C, collagen, and lactic acid. Each brings its own set of benefits but mixing them requires some careful consideration to ensure they work well together and deliver optimal results.

Active skincare ingredients in skincare are compounds that directly address specific skin concerns and produce visible results. Let’s dive into the rules of mixing these skincare superheroes using our 5-step guide below:

Before diving into mixing, it's crucial to understand what each active skincare ingredient brings to the table:

Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide helps improve skin texture, minimise pores, and reduce inflammation. It's also commonly used to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots, whilst brightening overall skin tone. It's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

There are a few reasons why niacinamide is a great active ingredient for fighting hyperpigmentation:

Inhibits Melanin Production: Niacinamide can reduce the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots and uneven skin tone. It interferes with the transfer of melanin to skin cells, helping to lighten hyperpigmentation.

Reduces Inflammation: Hyperpigmentation often follows inflammation or irritation. Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the skin and reduce the redness and swelling associated with inflammation, leading to less post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Improves Skin Barrier Function: By strengthening the skin’s barrier, niacinamide helps to prevent moisture loss and protect the skin from environmental stressors that can exacerbate pigmentation issues.

Enhances Skin Renewal: Niacinamide promotes the production of healthy skin cells, which can help to replace damaged cells that contribute to uneven pigmentation.

Evens Skin Tone: Regular use of niacinamide can help to fade dark spots and even out skin tone, leading to a more uniform complexion over time.

Overall, niacinamide is a versatile and well-tolerated ingredient that can be effective in managing and reducing hyperpigmentation, making it a popular choice in skincare products aimed at improving skin tone and clarity.

Find out more about tackling skin pigmentation with niacinamide!

If you have symptoms of pigmentation our Advanced Brightening range with niacinamide has been proven to brighten complexion and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and a powerful ingredient in skincare, known for its numerous benefits. Here’s how it helps:

Brightens Skin Tone: Vitamin C helps to inhibit melanin production, which can reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, leading to a brighter and more even skin tone.

Boosts Collagen Production: It stimulates the production of collagen, a protein that helps keep the skin firm and elastic. This can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve overall skin texture.

Protects Against Sun Damage: As an antioxidant, Vitamin C helps to neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure and environmental pollution. While it doesn’t replace sunscreen, it can enhance your skin's defense against sun-induced damage.

Reduces Inflammation: Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm redness and irritation, making it beneficial for conditions like acne or rosacea.

Improves Skin Texture: By promoting collagen synthesis and cell turnover, Vitamin C helps to improve skin texture, making it smoother and more youthful-looking.

Hydrates the Skin: Some forms of Vitamin C, like ascorbic acid, have hydrating properties that can help to maintain skin moisture and improve hydration.

Pure Glow is our vitamin C infused skincare range, specially formulated to rejuvenate skin and gently brighten to improve radiance.

Discover 5 reasons to incorporate vitamin C into your skincare routine!

This protein is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Adding collagen to your skincare routine can help minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Collagen plays a crucial role in skincare due to its impact on the skin's structure and appearance. Here’s how it benefits the skin:

Supports Skin Structure: Collagen is a major structural protein in the skin, providing firmness and elasticity. It helps maintain the skin's structural integrity and supports its overall firmness.

Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines: As we age, natural collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Collagen supplements and topical products can help to boost collagen levels, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Improves Skin Elasticity: Collagen helps maintain the skin’s elasticity, which is essential for a youthful and supple appearance. Enhanced collagen levels can lead to smoother and more resilient skin.

Hydrates the Skin: Collagen has hydrophilic properties, meaning it can attract and retain moisture. This helps in maintaining skin hydration and preventing dryness.

Enhances Skin Texture: Collagen contributes to a smoother skin texture by filling in and supporting the skin’s layers, which can improve overall skin appearance.

Promotes Healing: Collagen plays a role in the skin's repair process. It helps in healing wounds and minimizing the appearance of scars by promoting the regeneration of healthy skin tissue.

Supports Overall Skin Health: Collagen helps to maintain the skin’s barrier function, protecting it from environmental damage and maintaining its health.

Incorporating collagen into your skincare routine, whether through topical products or supplements, can support skin health and improve its appearance by enhancing firmness, elasticity, and hydration.

Our Collagen Boost range has been specifically designed to give you firmer and plumper skin using plant-based peptides to increase skin elasticity, giving you a more youthful look.

Lactic acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that offers several benefits as a skincare ingredient. Here’s how it can help:

Exfoliates the Skin: Lactic acid helps to gently remove dead skin cells from the surface, promoting a smoother and more radiant complexion. This exfoliation can help improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of dullness. Find out the key differences between physical and chemical exfoliation!

Hydrates the Skin: Unlike some other exfoliants, lactic acid has humectant properties, meaning it attracts and retains moisture in the skin. This helps to keep the skin hydrated and plump.

Improves Skin Texture: Regular use of lactic acid can enhance skin texture by smoothing out rough patches and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Brightens the Skin: By removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, lactic acid can help to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots, leading to a more even and luminous skin tone.

Boosts Collagen Production: Lactic acid can stimulate collagen production, which is important for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. This helps to reduce signs of aging and improve overall skin health.

Gentle on the Skin: Lactic acid is considered to be one of the milder AHAs, making it suitable for sensitive skin types. It offers the benefits of exfoliation and hydration with less irritation compared to stronger acids.

Improves Skin Barrier Function: By removing dead skin cells and promoting moisture retention, lactic acid can help strengthen the skin’s barrier function, making it better equipped to fend off environmental damage and retain hydration.

Overall, lactic acid is a versatile and effective ingredient that helps to exfoliate, hydrate, and improve the overall appearance of the skin, making it a valuable addition to many skincare routines.

A moisture-binding humectant that plumps out fine lines and revitalises skin’s outer surface layers, so they look softer, smoother and hydrated.

Not all skincare ingredients work well together. Some combinations can cause irritation or neutralise each other's benefits. Here's a quick guide to which ingredients can be safely combined:

Niacinamide and Vitamin C: Contrary to popular belief, niacinamide and vitamin C can be used together. Our Pure Glow range, contains a stable, gentle form of Vitamin C blended with Niacinamide to brighten the skin and tackle unwanted pigmentation. Our cult Advanced Brightening range is also a must-have for those looking to dial up their radiance and address persistent pigmentation.

Peptides and Lactic Acid: Peptides pair well with other active ingredients, so you can team them with vitamin C, niacinamide, and lactic acid. Our Collagen Boost range blends plant-based peptides with lactic acid to brighten skin tone and address pigmentation, whilst stimulating collagen production to plump and firm the skin.

Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide: When used together, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide can simultaneously treat multiple skin concerns. If you’re looking to address pigmentation and fine lines, our best-selling Anti-Wrinkle range combines both ingredients to brighten the complexion and blur the signs of ageing

When mixing skincare ingredients, it's essential to pay attention to the formulations of the products you're using. Some formulations may be incompatible or destabilise certain ingredients. Look for products with stable formulations and pH levels that are compatible with each other.

Introducing new ingredients or combinations into your skincare routine should always be done gradually. Start by incorporating one new ingredient at a time and observe how your skin reacts. If you're mixing multiple ingredients, consider doing a patch test to ensure they don't cause irritation or adverse reactions.

Ultimately, your skin knows best. Pay attention to how it reacts to different combinations of ingredients. If you notice any irritation, redness, or sensitivity, scale back or discontinue use of the products causing the reaction. Everyone's skin is unique, so what works for others may not necessarily work for you. 

Mixing these key ingredients can be a game-changer for your skincare routine. By understanding each ingredients benefits, knowing which combinations are safe, considering formulations, starting slow, and listening to your skin, you can create a customised regime that addresses your specific skincare concerns. Remember, consistency is key, so stick to your routine and be patient—the results will be worth it.

Discover our ingredient power couples guaranteed to dial up your radiance this spring.