Peach & Lily – Skincare ingredients to not mix
September 27, 2022

Peach & Lily – Skincare ingredients to not mix

by Peach & Lily

Most skincare products have a lot of ingredients, most of which can be very hard to pronounce. Despite this, we’re guessing you’re aware of specific ingredients to always stay away from, whether it’s because you have a specific allergy or because you just know they’re bad for all skin types. But do you know what skin care ingredients not to mix? Most people don’t, and they can end up doing some pretty serious damage to their skin. We don’t want all the hard work you’ve put into your skincare routine to be nixed by a bad mix, so read on to find out which Korean skin care ingredients you never want to use together.

Retinol and Vitamin C

On their own, retinol and vitamin C are very beneficial, and they can help brighten your skin and lessen the appearance of bright spots. But don’t think you can use them in tandem to double these effects. If anything, they’ll leave your face red and feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Vitamin C and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

Vitamin C and AHAs like citric acid, glycolic acid, hydroxycaproic acid, hydroxycaprylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid are another pair of skin care ingredients not to mix because they will cause irritation.

Vitamin C and Benzoyl Peroxide

Noticing a trend? Vitamin C is one of the best Korean skin care ingredients because of how beneficial it is to skin, but it doesn’t mix well with a lot of others. In this case, Benzoyl peroxide actually cancels out many of vitamin C’s magnificent benefits.

Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide

Just like retinol and vitamin C, retinol and Benzoyl peroxide neutralize each other’s effects and can lead to irritation when used alongside each other.

Retinol and AHAs

Both retinol and AHAs disrupt your skin’s natural barrier, so it’s not a good idea to use them together. Doing so can cause dryness, redness, and increased sensitivity.

Retinol & Salicylic Acid

Noticing another trend? Like vitamin C, retinol is another one of these skin care ingredients not to mix which a lot of other ingredients. When used alongside salicylic acid, your skin will become extremely dry and irritated.

Dapsone aka Aczone & Benzoyl Peroxide

Unless you’re trying to look like an orange, dapsone and Benzoyl peroxide are two Korean skin care ingredients not to mix. If you do, your skin will get a strange orange discoloration.

Benzoyl Peroxide & Hydroquinone

If used together, these two ingredients have the potential to stain your skin, making some areas appear darker in color than others.

Hydroquinone & AHAs

Both hydroquinone and alpha hydroxy acids can irritate your skin on your own, so it’s best not to combine them, otherwise you might irritate your skin twice as much.

Caring for your skin is our greatest privilege. Learn more about Peach & Lily's curation process that involves thorough examination of every ingredient to ensure quality and natural formations in our all our products. We understand that finding a k-beauty skin routine can feel very intimidating but Peach & Lily’s 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine is here to help get you started. Thank you for trusting us. Our mantra from day one has been 100% Worry Free™ – and that will never change.

Cheers to radiance, Peaches!

Related articles

How to Layer SPF Into Your Morning Routine
July 20, 2026

How to Layer SPF Into Your Morning Routine

Key Takeaways  Sunscreen goes last in your morning routine, after moisturizer and before makeup.  Give each step a minute or two to sink in so sunscreen can sit on top and do its job.  Apply a generous, even layer and let it set before touching your face again.  Your skincare...

SPF vs. PA: Understanding Korean Sunscreen Ratings
July 07, 2026

SPF vs. PA: Understanding Korean Sunscreen Ratings

Key Takeaways: SPF measures UVB protection (burns and acute damage), while PA measures UVA protection (aging and pigmentation). PA ratings run from PA+ to PA++++, with higher plus signs indicating stronger UVA protection based on PPD testing. PA++++ offers 94% or higher UVA protection, making it the gold standard for...