Mixing ingredients to get more out of your skincare is a world of endless combinations for those who are truly interested in skincare. Which ingredients go especially well together and which combinations should you avoid to prevent skin damage and irritation? Let's go through them in this blog post.

What are active ingredients?

Simply put, active ingredients are substances that make a difference in the skin, for example reducing redness or fine lines, balancing sebum production, healing acne, lightening pigment spots, counteracting dryness and providing increased radiance, to name a few.

Common active ingredients found in both Korean and Western skincare are:

- Hyaluronic acid

- Niacinamide (vitamin B3)

- Vitamins A, B, C, E, K

- Peptides

- Allantoin

- AHA, BHA, PHA and LHA acid

- Retinol

- Bakuchiol

etc.

Unique active ingredients found and derived from Korean skincare:

- Propolis

- Snail secretion

- Tea tree extract

-Ginseng

- Centella

- Licorice root

- Honey

- Rice extract

etc.

When you combine the general ingredients with the traditional Korean ingredients, we think you get the best of both worlds. Let's go through some combinations.

Let's combine!

Vitamin C + Centella to support collagen production.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals and premature aging while also smoothing out pigment damage caused by urbanization such as sun and environmental toxins/chemicals. Vitamin C also affects the skin's collagen production so that it functions properly. Vitamin C is an ingredient to use both topically on the skin but is also a go-to vitamin to eat if you want to influence your collagen production!

Centella is a unique traditional Korean skin care ingredient extracted from the leaves of this herb that has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect. Centella is also said to affect the skin's fibroblasts, which are important for the skin's collagen production. Combine these if you want to work preventively or counteract on the skin regardless of age!

Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop contains both vitamin C and Centella in one product!

Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides for a healthy and protected skin barrier. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that all of us humans have naturally in our skin since birth. As we age, the substance decreases and the skin can feel drier and looser. This substance is also incredible for binding to existing and surrounding moisture. It makes the skin more elastic and plump!
Ceramides are an emollient that is also found naturally in the skin and that lubricates and protects the skin barrier so it remains intact. Combine these especially if you are dry and sensitive!

Hyaluronic acid 3 contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides in one product!

BHA acid + Tea Tree extract to deep cleanse pores and heal acne. BHA acid is an oil-soluble acid that is suitable for oily or acne-prone skin. It exfoliates deeper into the pores and dissolves sebum plugs that can cause black and whiteheads and has an anti-inflammatory effect on red papules and inflammation. Keep in mind that acid is a peeling product and should not be used daily at first. We recommend 1-3 times / week depending on the type of acne.
Tea tree is an herb that is mainly used in skin care for acne-prone or sensitive skin as it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties but is also soothing and reduces redness! Combine these if you are oily and/or acne-prone!

Tea Tree Purifine Toner contains both BHA acid and Tea Tree extract in one product.

Snail secretion + Propolis to soothe, heal and protect acne-prone or sensitive skin! Snail secretion is naturally rich in hyaluronic acid and allantoin (among others) which bind to moisture but also soothes and heals irritated, red or inflamed skin. Propolis is an ingredient that bees produce to seal their nests when they produce honey and it is rich in antioxidants while being great for healing wounds such as acne. As the icing on the cake, this duo is also incredible for glow and radiance. Combine these if you are dry on the surface, lack luster, are acne-prone or sensitive!

Snail Essence and Propolis Light Ampoule are great to combine together.

Niacinamide + Vitamin C to even out and counteract hyperpigmentation. These two ingredients are a bit similar to each other as they are both vitamins that are rich in antioxidants, they both work to improve skin tone and pigmentation, but what distinguishes them is that Niacinamide is usually recommended for pigmentation caused by external stimuli such as mechanical friction, e.g. wounds or wounds caused by acne in the form of acne scars. Vitamin C is recommended for pigmentation caused mainly by the sun's UV rays and chemicals such as environments with a lot of exhaust gases, e.g. Combining these to improve skin tone is a great combo for those of you with uneven skin tone!

Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Charging Serum and Dr. Ceuracles VC Mellight Boosting Essence both contain the combination Niacinamide + Vitamin C!

Rice extract + Niacinamide for a fresh and healthy skin tone and texture. Rice extract is a traditional Korean ingredient that has been used for centuries for both skin and hair. Rice is naturally moisturizing and softening, while also naturally smoothing an uneven skin tone. It also gives radiance to dull or lackluster skin. Niacinamide as mentioned earlier is a barrier-strengthening, smoothing redness and also works to balance sebum production and pore size and appearance! Combine these if you want to work on both radiance, moisture and skin tone!

Rice Toner contains both rice extract and niacinamide in one product.

These were some combinations that we at GLOWiD love, more combinations are of course available and you are always welcome to ask us your question at info@glowid.se and our authorized skin therapists will answer you.

Let's take a look at which combinations you should avoid and why.

AHA/BHA + Retinol - both ingredients work on cell renewal and combining these at the same time is not recommended as it can dry out the skin and cause irritation.

Vitamin C + AHA/BHA - combining at the same time can neutralize the effect of both ingredients and make them less effective. It can also cause irritation for some skin types.

Retinol + Vitamin C - Same here, these are two powerful ingredients that if applied at the same time can potentially create irritation in the skin.

Mixing these above ingredients with separate products at home in the same application session is done at your own risk and should be avoided to reduce potential irritation. Keep in mind that there are products that are formulated with these combinations, and these products are safe to use as professional chemists for each brand have been involved in the development of the product's pH value, concentration and strength. Which makes it an approved product that is safe for the average person to use at home, making it an exception.

Always check with your skin when combining and adding new products to your routine. If irritation occurs, the product may not be for you, you have used it too frequently, or you may simply not tolerate the ingredient.

Glow hack!

Do you have a serum that you feel is too strong or powerful for your skin? Try diluting a few drops of serum in your best moisturizer to make it less concentrated and see if your skin tolerates this better! This wraps the active ingredients in the moisturizer, which means they penetrate the skin more slowly and create less irritation! <3

Wondering how else you can combine ingredients? Email us at info@glowid.se and we'll help you!

Hugs from Team GLOWiD!