These are 4 skincare products that you should definitely not mix

I understand that if you are as fond of skincare as I am, it is difficult to resist the urge to slather all your skincare products in a 20-step skincare routine, but what you might not know, is that you might be causing more harm. These are 4 ingredients that you can't mix.

In the era of the moisture sandwich and slugging, spreading all your products in your skincare stash on your face might be tempting, because why not? It seems that the more the better, but the truth is that some ingredients are not compatible with others, and mixing lots of actives can overload your complexion and cause serious sensitivity.

These are 4 skincare products that you should definitely not mix

Retinol and hydroxy acids

Retinol and hydroxy acids are both great at reducing fine lines and wrinkles, pair them together and you've got a recipe for disaster. These are both potent actives that when used together can trigger irritation and other side effects.

Benzoyl peroxide and retinol

Benzoyl peroxide is a very common acne treatment, but again both are harsh ingredients and, benzoyl peroxide actually cancels the effect of retinol.

Vitamin C and hydroxy acids

While applying vitamin C might sound harmless, we shouldn't let ourselves be fooled by the name vitamin. It is definitely not a good idea to pair it up with hydroxy acids.

Any retinoid with chemical peels or exfoliators

Retinoids are already a harsh ingredient that actually exfoliates your skin. If you want to avoid over-exfoliation don't mix retinoids with peelings, waxing, or physical exfoliators.

The bottom line

The idea is not to mix any active ingredient with any compound or treatment that can compromise your skin barrier function. When in doubt, make sure to consult a dermatologist.