Perfect Partners - Ingredients that work well together

Discover the Power of Harmonious Skincare Ingredients from Skin Expert Edele

In today's world of skincare, it can be quite daunting as the conversation seems to centre around ingredients more than the name of the product itself. This, I find can have both pros and cons, it allows you to curate your routine with core ingredients while having the free reign to choose different brands and therefore choose budget. The cons I find can be that we can end up incorrectly mixing products or possibly choosing products that do not complement each other and in some cases cause irritation to the skin.

Recently we've seen a lot of cosmeceutical brands include multiple ingredients within the one product for maximum results. As with all skincare advice, it is important to take your own skin type and concern into consideration when pairing ingredients. If in doubt always as your skin therapist for advice.  

These are an example of some of the best paired ingredients and some product recommendations. 

Salicylic Acid + Tea Tree

This pairing offers, mild exfoliation, purification of clogged pores as well as anti-inflammation, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Mostly found in products targeted at acne, congested skin. These partners can be found in the following: 

• Environ Focus Care Clarity Range 
• Image Clear Cell Acne Lotion
• ASAP Clear Complexion Gel
• Patchology Breakout Box

Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides

These two skincare ingredients are your best friends for hydration and barrier repair. Their responsibility is to lock in moisture and soothe the skin.

Hyaluronic acid holds on to moisture as well as attracts water within the skin, the reason it works so well with ceramides is that the ceramides then help prevent and slow down the loss of that moisture. Ceramides contain fatty acids so a combination of 'fat' and 'water' makes for a happy and healthy barrier. This partnership can then go on and reduce redness, inflamed skin and keep the skin happy. The best way of using is a hyaluronic acid serum followed by a ceramide rich moisturiser, here are some of our favourites:

• Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore

• Skinceuticals H.A Intensifier

• Murad Essential C Firming Radiance Day Cream

• Skin Formulas Hydra

• The Inkey List Ceramide Night Treatment

• CeraVe Range 

• Skingredients Good Fats

• Pestle & Mortar Nimbu Body Butter

Vitamin C + SPF

Pairing a Vitamin C serum underneath your SPF will increase your antioxidant protection of the skin. Vitamin C prevents the breakdown of heathy skin cells that are usually savaged by free radicals. UV rays as well as environmental pollution can break down collagen and elastin in the skin and that's where Vitamin C comes into action. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin and strengthens the current stores of it in the skin. SPF's have come a long way in recent years in terms of the active ingredients they contain that can contribute to overall skin improvements for example Niacinamide for hydration and anti-inflammation.

When these two ingredients are used simultaneously they are working double time to protect the skin. 

• Medik8 Daily Radiance Vitamin C SPF 30
• Image Prevention Range 
• Skinceuticals Antioxidants 
• Environ Skin Essentia AVST Moisturisers
• ASAP Hydrating Defense SPF50
• ASAP Super C Complex
• Environ RAD 
• Skingredients Skin Protein
• Murad Essential C Firming Day Cream