Add every ingredient in your morning and evening routine. We flag irritating combinations and reveal hidden synergies, grounded in our intelligence library.
Glycolic + salicylic + lactic in one routine over-exfoliates and breaks the barrier. Pick one and use it 2–3× weekly.
Different pH requirements deactivate both. Vitamin C in AM, retinol in PM.
BPO oxidises retinoids on contact. Use BPO in the morning and tretinoin at night, or swap to adapalene which is BPO-stable.
Retinoids, AHAs, and Vitamin C all increase photosensitivity. SPF is non-negotiable.
Peptides denature at pH < 4. Apply peptides after, or on alternate nights from, exfoliating acids.
The legendary antioxidant stack. Ferulic stabilises C; E regenerates C in the lipid phase. Doubles photoprotection.
Niacinamide strengthens the barrier and reduces retinol irritation without affecting efficacy.
HA pulls water in; ceramides lock it down. The textbook hydrate-and-seal.
Three tyrosinase inhibitors hitting melanin synthesis from different angles, gold standard for stubborn melasma.
Reduces redness, calms rosacea-prone skin, and fades post-inflammatory marks gently.
Compound irritation. Alternate nights or drop the AHA entirely.
Largely a myth at modern formulation %, but at >10% each in a low-buffer formula they can form niacin and flush sensitive skin.
BPO oxidises retinoids. Use separate routines morning vs night.
Over-strips barrier; common cause of retinoid-induced dermatitis.
Acids denature peptides at low pH. Layer peptides after the acid step has dried.
Retinol + tretinoin or retinal in the same routine is just more irritation, not more results.
Occlusive films block penetration of acids/retinoids. Layer occlusives at the end of the routine.
Both irritate the barrier; stacking them risks contact dermatitis.
LAA reduces copper, deactivating peptide-bound complexes. Use AM/PM split.
Each active is a stressor; sensitive barriers can only metabolise one at a time.