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At Skincare by Alana, we\u2019re all about maximizing the results of your skincare routine.<\/span><\/p>\n Without proper knowledge of the active ingredients in your product lineup, you could be missing out on potential skincare synergies.<\/span><\/p>\n Or worse – a bad mixture could cause irritation and reverse the intended effects of the products.<\/span><\/p>\n Maybe your new quarantine ritual has included watching <\/span>GRWM (\u201cget ready with me\u201d) videos<\/span><\/span><\/a> on Youtube or browsing Pinterest for at-home masks and natural skincare products to up your skincare game.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>#SkincareRoutine<\/span><\/span><\/a> hashtag has been used over 10 million times already, each with a unique combination of cleansers, serums, peels, and moisturizers – that\u2019s 10 million potentially different recommendations!<\/span><\/p>\n It can be tempting to want to adopt a \u201clittle bit of this, little bit of that\u201d to combine different skincare products, but the results don\u2019t always maximize your benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n Now that you have a grocery list of skincare product recommendations to choose from, it\u2019s time to take a crash course in \u201cSkincare Mixology 101\u201d to learn what skincare combos you should avoid.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ll break it down by the top trending skincare ingredients and take a look at what works with them, and what doesn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n PS – we\u2019ve done all the research for you!<\/span><\/p>\n Read through our article for winning skincare product recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n First, let\u2019s talk about Retinol.<\/span><\/p>\n Retinol<\/span><\/span><\/a>, also known as Vitamin A, works by boosting the production of elastin and collagen in the dermis while gently exfoliating the outer layer of the skin.<\/span><\/p>\n When used appropriately, it can do wonders for tackling fine lines, wrinkles, evening skin tone, and soothing rosacea.<\/span><\/p>\n Retinol is powerful on its own, but it can be too much<\/em> of a good thing.<\/span><\/p>\n Retinol has a number of amazing benefits for many different skin types – but it\u2019s not right for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n Before you decide to incorporate retinol into your skincare routine, check out <\/span>our blog<\/span><\/span><\/a> or take <\/span>our quiz<\/span><\/span><\/a> to see if retinol is right for you!<\/span><\/p>\n Both benzoyl peroxide and <\/span>salicylic acid<\/span><\/span><\/a> are powerful acne-fighting ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n Salicylic acid is used to unclog pores and treat acne whereas benzoyl peroxide eliminates acne-causing bacteria in the skin.<\/span><\/p>\n However, when either are used with retinol, the ingredients cancel each other out and eliminate all the benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n Retinol on it\u2019s own can unclog pores and help fight acne so if you\u2019re already using a retinoid in your routine, consider dropping other acne-fighting products that contain Benzoyl Peroxide & Salicylic Acid and let the retinol work its magic!<\/span><\/p>\n AHA\u2019s<\/span><\/span><\/a> are exfoliating acids that can work wonders when paired with moisturizers but without, they can dry out your skin.<\/span><\/p>\n Retinol, when used in excess or on already moderate to dry skin, can also cause dryness or irritation.<\/span><\/p>\n Instead of layering on potentially drying ingredients, it\u2019s best to skip products containing AHA\u2019s and instead reach for products that replenish and hydrate your skin. (more on that below!)<\/span><\/p>\n Vitamin C<\/span><\/span><\/a> is great for protecting your skin, but the pH levels required to activate vitamin C just do not work with retinol.<\/span><\/p>\n When these two ingredients are used together, they can cancel each other out or cause irritation.<\/span><\/p>\n On days where you use retinol, it\u2019s best to leave the vitamin C for fruit juice and not on your skin.<\/span><\/p>\n The waiting game can be excruciating, we know.<\/span><\/p>\n But in order to get the full benefits of this superpower product, it\u2019s best not to rush into things.<\/span><\/p>\n Test retinol on a small part of your skin, avoiding the delicate skin around your eyes, to see how it reacts.<\/span><\/p>\n Try spacing it out over a few times a week rather than every day when you first start out.<\/span><\/p>\n Otherwise, your skin may become overloaded and react with irritation, redness, or peeling.<\/span><\/p>\n Take it slow and thank retinol later!<\/span><\/p>\n We mentioned that retinols can dry out the skin, so to make a winning combo, skip the AHAs and head for the hyaluronic acid.<\/span><\/p>\n Hyaluronic acid<\/span><\/span><\/a> is a deeply penetrating moisturizer that can balance out any of the drying effects of retinol.<\/span><\/p>\n Because hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring in the body, with 50% of it concentrated in your skin, it helps to restore moisture for all<\/em> skin types.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s the dream team!<\/span><\/p>\n Vitamin C<\/span><\/span><\/a> is a skincare superstar.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a powerful antioxidant that helps to repair skin cells and prevent damage from UV rays and air pollution while brightening and toning.<\/span><\/p>\n Not only that, but Vitamin C can also help fight and repair damage caused by free radicals.<\/span><\/p>\n A quick aside so you can understand the true benefit Vitamin C has for your skin – let\u2019s talk about free radicals.<\/span><\/p>\n You may have seen this phrase bouncing around in the descriptions of skincare products but if you\u2019re still not 100% sure of what it means, here it is in a nutshell.<\/span><\/p>\n Free radicals are unstable molecules that are found in our external environment including the air, water, food, medicine, you name it.<\/span><\/p>\n Their instability means that they are constantly trying to bond with other atoms and molecules, including those in our bodies, causing the skin unnecessary oxidative stress.<\/span><\/p>\n What does this mean for your skin?<\/span><\/p>\n Free radicals can deteriorate the skin and speed up the aging process.<\/span><\/p>\n Basically, they\u2019re exactly what you don\u2019t<\/em> want.<\/span><\/p>\n So when Vitamin C was shown to repair free radical damage, we were all over it.<\/span><\/p>\n Vitamin C is often incorporated into creams and toners but is most effective as a serum.<\/span><\/p>\n Vitamin C comes in many concentrations and derivatives, but looking out for \u201cascorbic acid\u201d in the ingredients list is a good way to spot it.<\/span><\/p>\n The only trouble is that Vitamin C doesn\u2019t always mix well with other ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n Niacinamide is another brightening vitamin that\u2019s found in a variety of products.<\/span><\/p>\n The Vitamin C + Vitamin B3 combo is tricky but doable.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re using both ingredients, you\u2019ll want to leave at least 30 minutes in between applications to allow your skin\u2019s pH balance to normalize.<\/span><\/p>\n Without this little breather, the ingredients will cancel each other out and you won\u2019t reap the benefits of either of these awesome vitamins.<\/span><\/p>\n Similar to when AHAs are used with retinol, this mixture can dry out and irritate the skin when used in tandem with vitamin C.<\/span><\/p>\n Together, these ingredients are either too exfoliating and can cause flaking and peeling or the acids will destabilize each other and you won\u2019t see any effects.<\/span><\/p>\n Either way, it\u2019s best to pass on the AHAs!<\/span><\/p>\n Hyaluronic acid also makes a great companion to vitamin C!<\/span><\/p>\n Studies<\/span><\/span><\/a> have found that using hyaluronic acid for just 8 weeks can significantly improve skin\u2019s texture, moisture, and firmness.<\/span><\/p>\n Check out our blog<\/span><\/span><\/a> for 26 benefits that come just from using hyaluronic acid.<\/span><\/p>\n Plus it plays well with vitamin c\u2019s delicate pH balance and helps to lock in moisture!<\/span><\/p>\n Keep the vitamins coming!<\/span><\/p>\n Both vitamins A & E hail from the same antioxidant family and fight against UV damage, keeping your skin fresh and radiant.<\/span><\/p>\n Who doesn\u2019t want that?<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll often find products that have both vitamins A and E in one, so make sure to read the ingredients label closely.<\/span><\/p>\n Ferulic acid is another antioxidant found primarily in plants like oats, corn, and eggplant.<\/span><\/p>\n It is a powerful anti-aging ingredient that has been found to boost the effectiveness of vitamin C – we could all use a sidekick like that!<\/span><\/p>\n This Full Spectrum Hemp Retinol Oil<\/span><\/span><\/a> is perfect on its own!<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s infused with hemp and rosehip seed oil to gently moisturize your skin overnight so you can wake up to a fresh, glowing, bright face the next morning.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve already used retinol in the past and are looking for a powerful, buildable formula, Rhonda Allison\u2019s Retinol Supreme<\/span><\/span><\/a> is for you.<\/span><\/p>\n Just pair it with our Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum<\/span><\/span><\/a> to seal in moisture and leave your skin looking healthy and hydrated.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a daily Vitamin C moisturizer, then look no further<\/span><\/span><\/a> – this Vitamin C moisturizer is light enough to use every day and includes hemp oil to lock in moisture.<\/span><\/p>\n Not into hemp? No worries.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve got one without, too<\/span><\/span><\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\nRetinol<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0622\/9206\/6563\/files\/02_1.png\")
<\/p>\nWhat to Avoid with Retinol<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Acne Products with Benzoyl Peroxide & Salicylic Acid<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
AHA\u2019s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Vitamin C<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Retinol + Impatience<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat Works with Retinol<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Hyaluronic Acid<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Vitamin C<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
What to Avoid with Vitamin C<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Niacinamide AKA Vitamin B3<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
AHAs<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
What Works with Vitamin C<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Hyaluronic Acid<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Vitamin E<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Ferulic Acid<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWinning Product Combinations<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n