Is your bathroom cabinet a veritable treasure trove of beloved skincare products? You may love your favourite cleanser, toner, moisturiser, and other aids, but do they love each other? Often the answer is no. Many skincare potions and lotions can interact in ways you don’t expect … ways that aren’t good for your skin.
“Combining multiple ingredients without considering their effects on one another can have catastrophic results on skin,” cautions Dr Austin. A mélange of too many active ingredients can cause skin irritation and inflammation and lead to damage to your skin barrier. In other words, it can make a bad skin problem worse.
At the same time, however, synergistic ingredients that work together can elevate your skincare regimen. Here’s how …
Basics for Successful Pairing
There are three keys to creating an effective strategy for skincare product pairing:
Know your skin goals
Are you focused on anti-ageing? Do you suffer from irritated skin? Do you need to hydrate dry skin? Your answer to these and other questions the Austin skin experts will pose are the foundation of bespoke skincare at our clinic.
Know your skin type
This is extremely important: oily, dry, acne-prone, combination, sensitive, and mature are all skin types with unique demands when it comes to product pairings. It is essential to create pairings that address those unique demands (more about that in a moment).
Know your skin tone
Is your skin pale or does it have a lot of pigmentation? Highly pigmented skin contains more melanin and tends to be sensitive to skincare products. Excess irritation of myelinated skin can worsen the condition by triggering the production of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells).
Don’t worry if you’re having trouble figuring out your skin goals, skin type, or tone. The skin professionals at Austin Clinic and the Sanctuary are ready to help you design the best skincare pairing program for you and you alone.
Best Skincare Pairings for Oily Skin
Two heads are better than one, and when it comes to taking the shine out of oily skin, two ingredients are definitely better:
Vitamin A + Hyaluronic acid – Vitamin A, or retinol as it is commonly referred to in skincare, can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. At the same time, hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps to hydrate skin that has become dry due to ageing or other factors. Together, retinol and hyaluronic acid are especially effective at keeping skin looking plump and hydrated.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E – Nothing says beautiful skin like vitamins. Vitamin C and E are both antioxidants. When combined, they deliver a two-pronged attack against the scourge of free radical damage. In addition, Vitamin E promotes skin hydration.
Niacinamide and Salicylic acid – Hello skincare product pairing, and good-bye excess skin oil. Niacinamide helps control sebum production. It also reduces the appearance of pores. It pairs beautifully with salicylic acid to reduce the appearance of pores. Salicylic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), exfoliates skin and clears clogged pores. Together, these two powerhouses of skin beauty are extremely effective in helping oily skin look its radiant best.
Glycolic acid + Resveratrol – Like salicylic acid, glycolic acid is an AHA. It helps improve facial texture by exfoliating surface skin. Resveratrol has salicylic acid’s antioxidant properties to help protect the skin from damage. Together they are an effective way to improve the overall appearance of the skin and reduce the signs of ageing.
Beyond the Basics: Pro Tips for Oily Skin Product Paring
Trial and error can hurt your skin. To make the most of your new skincare program and minimise negative outcomes, we recommend you:
Start with gentle ingredients – Look for simple ingredient lists including oily skin-friendly niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and green tea.
Layer your products based on your activities – Use a cleanser with salicylic acid in the morning, followed by a moisturiser with hyaluronic acid to keep you from shining during the day. In the evening, use a serum with vitamin C and a moisturiser with retinol for overnight healing.
Be on the lookout for skin reactions – If your skin becomes irritated or you experience breakouts when you use a new product, discontinue it until you talk to us. The Austin Clinic team is always standing by to help.
Best Skincare Pairings for Dry Skin
Nothing is more ageing to the face than skin that is dull and dry … the antithesis of a healthy glow. To remedy that, the Austin Clinic team recommends:
Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides – When dry skin is your problem, this skincare pairing can provide the answer. A humectant, hyaluronic acid attracts moisture. Ceramides are lipids that strengthen your natural skin barrier. Together, they offer superb hydration.
Shea butter + Squalane – Shea butter is a popular emollient that helps skin stay hydrated. Squalane is prized for its hydrating abilities and the way it helps protect the skin. Shea butter is a rich emollient that also helps to hydrate and protect the skin. Together, they provide the skin with nourishment and deep moisturising.
Niacinamide + Glycerin – This is a pairing made in supple skin heaven. Glycerin is a humectant. It has the ability to attract moisture and retain it within the skin. Niacinamide improves the skin’s barrier function and helps retain the moisture attracted by glycerin. Talk about a dynamic duo!
Vitamin E + Rosehip Oil – This skincare pairing doubles up on the powers of protection with the antioxidant powers offered by both ingredients. Together, they not only protect skin from irritants, but they also help keep it bathed in hydration.
When you’re ready to ride the skincare pairing pony, remember these safety tips:
Start with gentle products: If you have dry skin, it is best to start with gentle products that are less likely to irritate your skin. Some good options include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and squalene.
Layer your products: You can layer different products with different ingredients to get the most benefit. For example, you could use a cleanser with hyaluronic acid in the morning, followed by a serum with niacinamide. In the evening, you could use a moisturiser with rosehip oil, followed by a balm with shea butter.
Keep a close eye on your skin: It’s important to pay attention to how your skin reacts to different products. If you notice any irritation or breakouts, stop using the product and consult with a skin specialist.
What about Skincare Pairing for Combination Skin?
Combination skin can be particularly challenging as you try to balance the needs of dry patches, with oily patches, hyperpigmentation, acne, etc. If you have combination skin, try:
Gentle cleanser + Oil-free moisturiser: Strong cleansers can be bad for oily and dry skin. Instead, use a gentler product to clean your skin without stripping away its natural oils. After cleansing, an oil-free moisturiser will keep your skin hydrated without making oily patches greasy. A gentle cleanser will help to remove dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping the skin of its natural oils. An oil-free moisturiser will help to hydrate the skin without making it feel greasy.
Salicylic acid + Hyaluronic acid: This two-acid combo works to exfoliate the skin (salicylic) and then retain moisture (hyaluronic acid). Skin is hydrated with clean, clear pores.
Niacinamide + Ceramides: Niacinamide is for oily patches, regulating sebum production. Ceramides work to protect the skin barrier. Together, they keep combination skin hydrated, protected, and glowing from forehead to chin.
Here are some general tips for pairing skincare products for combination skin:
Start with gentle products such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.
Choose your products by day part – Use a salicylic acid cleanser when you wake up, followed by a serum with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to fight off drying. In the evening, combine a moisturiser containing squalene with a balm that includes shea butter.
Keep a close eye on your skin: It is important to pay attention to how your skin reacts to different products. If you notice any irritation or breakouts, stop using the product and contact the Austin Clinic for guidance.
Finding the Perfect Skincare Pair
Austin Clinic and the Sanctuary upstairs, are rigorously trained in their craft and eager to put their knowledge to work to help you find a perfect pairing. We have treatments, products, and so much more to share with you.
Beautiful skin is easier than you think. Contact us today and let us show you how.