I know - we’ve already gone over so many amazing skincare ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide and you’re thinking - now what?

Well, now we figure out how and when to use them at the right time(s) in your skincare routine! The great thing about so many skincare ingredients is that they tend to pair up really well - that’s right, you can get even more out of your skincare routine just by using the right ones together. 

Here’s how to maximise your skincare routine with these four skincare power couples!

For Anti-Ageing: Vitamin C + Retinol

This combo of ingredients is especially great for anti-ageing. How? First off, we already know that Vitamin C is a great antioxidant. As an antioxidant, we know it already has some important benefits for the skin: protection from free radical damage.

However, Vitamin C also has a trick up its sleeve that other antioxidants don’t have - the ability to encourage collagen production. This means it helps replenish naturally-decreasing collagen in the skin so your skin looks younger for longer. 

Combined with retinol, another classic collagen-boosting ingredient, you’ve got a powerful and effective combination for fighting off wrinkles.

Order matters - when it comes to this skincare power couple, it’s best to use Vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening. Applying a Vitamin C product in the morning takes advantage of the little extra bit of photoprotection that Vitamin C has, too! Retinol makes your skin slightly more sensitive to the sun - so it should only be relegated to use at night. 

Dr. Irena Eris Institute Solutions L-Ascorbic Power Treatment | $251
This Vitamin C serum is formulated with the most potent and effective form of Vitamin C: L-Ascorbic Acid

Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules | $150
A combination of ceramides and retinol help to turn back the clock.

For Luminosity: Glycolic Acid + Hyaluronic Acid

It’s a fact that exfoliation and hydration are what helps skin look radiant - and these two are a great match. Combining hyaluronic acid with glycolic acid does two important things: replenishes skin hydration after exfoliation, plus works to hydrate skin overall - here’s how.

Exfoliation can cause a bit of dryness as the excess skin cells are sloughed off, which is why it’s crucial to bring hydration back into the skin afterwards - that’s where hyaluronic acid comes in. 

This combination also works to amp up glycolic acid’s humectant abilities - combined, these two ingredients will help to draw water into the epidermis for radiant, glowing skin.

This combination is best used in the evening - a few minutes after applying your glycolic product, go ahead with your hyaluronic acid one! Hyaluronic acid can be used morning and evening - since glycolic acid is photosensitising, we recommend keeping it for use in the evenings only.

Guerlain Abeille Royale Renew and Repair Serum | $304
Guerlain combines glycolic acid and royal jelly to create a serum that rejuvenates and renews your skin from within.

GA-DE Hydra Essential Night Cream | $65
GA-DE's night cream locks in hydration to the skin with a blend of hyaluronic acid and other moisturising ingredients. 

For Sensitive Skin: Retinol + Niacinamide 

As amazing as retinol is, there’s a catch to using it: and adjustment period of about 12 weeks where your skin can get a bit dry, flaky, and more irritated than it would be. This is totally normal, but admittedly, kind of annoying (and that’s speaking from personal experience)!

Luckily, there’s a potent skincare ingredient that helps minimise these side effects as much as possible - niacinamide. Amongst a heap of other great benefits for skin, the one that really shines when paired with retinol is niacinamide’s ability to maintain a healthy moisture barrier.

Niacinamide helps to fortify skin against the sensitising effects of retinol, so your skin adapts to it faster for that signature retinol glow! Retinol should only ever be used at night. Whether you use niacinamide before or after depends on the product - niacinamide serum? Apply before retinol. Niacinamide in a cream? After retinol is best.

GA-DE Retiage Multi Rejuvenate Serum | $105
Rejuvenates and firms skin with a blend of retinol and potent plant extracts.

SK-II RNA Power Radical New Age Essence | $270
SK-II combined their trademark skincare ingredient, pitera, with niacinamide to create this powerful essence.

For Dewy Skin: Hyaluronic Acid + Rosehip Oil 

These two work together to create super dewy, glowing skin. We’ve already gone over how hyaluronic acid hydrates skin from within - in this pairing, rosehip oil’s role is to help keep it there.

The thing with hyaluronic acid is that it draws water from the environment - if your environment is drier than your skin, the reverse will happen. That’s right - hyaluronic acid could potentially draw the water out of your skin to the ambient air, instead of the other way round. But that’s where rosehip oil steps in! 

As an oil, it has emollient and occlusive properties. To put it simply, rosehip oil is able to trap the hyaluronic acid (and the water in your skin!) so it doesn’t escape, keeping your skin dewy and hydrated. Rosehip oil also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits for the skin too - so it actually does double duty by increasing moisture and protecting skin. 

Order is crucial when it comes to this pairing - you’ll want to apply your hyaluronic acid product before rosehip oil, or else this combo just won’t work!

Declaré Ocean's Best Hyaluronan Triple Booster | $85
This serum has three kinds of hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin and reduce the look of fine lines.

Not sure which combo to go for? Well, start by looking at your skin type. If you’re not sure which skin type you have, our e-book has all the answers to your questions - plus, now you know which skincare power couples work for you!

Still looking for your perfect skincare routine? Try our skin quiz!

Products Mentioned:

• Dr. Irena Eris Institute Solutions L-Ascorbic Power Treatment | $251
• Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules | $150
• Guerlain Abeille Royale Renew and Repair Serum | $304
• GA-DE Hydra Essential Night Cream | $65
• GA-DE Retiage Multi Rejuvenate Serum | $105
• SK-II RNA Power Radical New Age Essence | $270
• Declaré Ocean's Best Hyaluronan Triple Booster | $85
• Inika Organic Certified Enriched Rosehip Oil | $39