Five Powerful Skincare Ingredient Combinations

We know the skincare ingredients we must avoid at all costs. These are the skincare ingredient cocktails that work against each other, or in worse situations, irritate and inflame the skin when combined.

But what about the skincare ingredients that can - gasp - enhance each other’s effects? We’re here to fill you in on the skincare ingredient power couples to fast track your way to gorgeous glowing skin.

1. Vitamin C and Vitamin E

When vitamin C and vitamin E combine, their effects blossom as they enhance one another. Vitamin C regenerates vitamin E, helping it protect the skin from free radicals such as sun damage. To thank it, vitamin E returns the favor by intensifying the actions of vitamin C.

By treating your skin to both vitamin C and vitamin E or using products that consist of both, you’re giving your skin double the antioxidant assistance. This helps combat damage from free radicals and sun damage far better than by opting for vitamin C alone. PCA Skin reaps the benefits of this powerful combo with their C&E Strength formula. The antioxidant product delivers doses of 15% pure vitamin C and 5% pure vitamin E that work together to protect the skin from free radical damage while smoothing the skin and preventing signs of aging.

2. Sunscreen and Antioxidants

Most of us are (hopefully) aware that using sunscreen daily is one of the best anti-aging strategies. When followed correctly, wearing sunscreen daily can help prevent the visible signs of skin aging.

However, did you know that sunscreen on its own is only able to block around 55 percent of the free radicals created by UV exposure? Plus, when used alone, it does not protect from the free radicals produced by infrared radiation or visible light.

Enter antioxidants. If you’re not sure exactly what antioxidants are, they’re molecules that naturally live within our skin to protect it from free radical damage. Antioxidants ‘soak up’ the damage produced by UV radiation and other environmental aging factors such as smoke and pollution, by neutralizing the free radicals created upon exposure to such toxins.

But guess what? When antioxidants are added to sunscreen, they lessen the production of free radicals by up to a whopping 78 percent. Next time you need to pick out a sunscreen to protect your skin, keep an eye out for a formula packed full of antioxidants.

3. Green Tea and Caffeine

Another dream skincare ingredient pairing is green tea and caffeine. In the skincare world, green tea is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which give thanks to the polyphenols that are natural in the leaves.

Likewise, caffeine boasts antioxidant and photoprotective effects, delivering extra UV radiation and free radical protection when combined with products like sunscreens.

As caffeine is found in green tea, the ingredients complement each other’s effects wonderfully. Caffeine boosts the antioxidant effects of green tea’s polyphenols, and when paired together, can help combat free radical production and UVB-induced skin cancer.

Plus, the two antioxidants together are known to improve the appearance of acne dramatically.

4. Retinol and Niacinamide

In the beauty world today, retinol is an ingredient hitting the skincare limelight. But what is retinol exactly?

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that can boost the rate of skin cell turnover and renewal. This lessens sun damage, increases collagen production, and improves the look of wrinkles.

So, what’s the problem with using retinol on its own? The bad news that when used alone, retinol can lead to irritation and dryness of the skin by damaging the skin’s barrier and boosting trans epidermal water loss.

That’s where niacinamide comes in to save the day. Niacinamide stabilizes the skin’s barrier function by halting the amount of water lost and increasing hydration. Together, retinol and niacinamide are a skincare match made in heaven. PCA Skin’s Intensive Brightening Treatment is a powerful blend of pure retinol, niacinamide, and resveratrol that works to promote an even, bright, and glowing complexion. Each ingredient encourages a healthy and natural glow. The potent and stable ingredients are delivered in a patented omnisome system to transport the magic ingredients deep into the skin for impressive results.

5. Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C

Glycolic acid and vitamin C are another skincare ingredient dream team. Both ingredients help to raise collagen levels, leaving you with plump and luscious skin.

Together, vitamin C and glycolic acid work well to treat hyperpigmentation too. Both are effective at decreasing melanin production and inhibiting tyrosinase.

Not only that, but the pairing is particularly good at smoothing stretch marks by boosting epidermal and papillary dermal thickness. What can’t this skincare coupling do?