These are the best skincare combinations to get glowing skin

The world of skincare is a crowded one, and it can be difficult to know what ingredients will give you the best results.

If you really want your skincare routine to work hard, it’s all about choosing the right combinations. “Combining ingredients means you can simultaneously treat and protect at the same time. This in turn can increase the effectiveness, which will then deliver greater and faster results,” explains aesthetic oculoplastic surgeon Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai (drsabrina.co.uk).

“Combining ingredients increases the effectiveness of the ingredient – certain ingredients work very well together, which gives enhanced results.”

Plus, pre-formulated products have a few extra benefits. “Some people prefer products that have combined ingredients as they are easier to incorporate in a regime, do not negate each other and are sustainably packaged,” she adds. “Remember that using too many products can actually damage the moisture barrier and or cause other skin conditions (such as inflammation, redness and blemishes).”

If you’re looking to boost the effectiveness of your skincare routine, these ingredient combinations are a match made in heaven…

Niacinamide and salicylic acid

“Both of these ingredients have anti-ageing and anti-acne effects,” says Shah-Desai.

Skin Proud Rise and Defend Kombucha Face Wash, £12.95

Vitamin C and vitamin E

If you’ve got products with vitamin C and E but you’re not layering them up, you could be missing a trick.

“When combined together, vitamin C and E enhance the effects of each other and give fantastic results,” explains Shah-Desai.

Cetaphil Rich Night Cream, £5.32 (was £7.99), Superdrug

Retinol and hyaluronic acid or peptides

Retinol is a powerful ingredient beloved by beauty buffs for reducing the appearance of fine lines, but it also comes with its issues – namely, the dreaded ‘retinol uglies’, when your skin reacts negatively to the product. Potential side effects of retinol include “redness, irritation and dry skin”, says Shah-Desai.

That’s why she likes layering hers with hyaluronic acid, saying it “helps to lessen the potential side effects of retinol… Hyaluronic acid is renowned for its ability to hydrate the skin, it helps the skin hold onto water, which hydrates the outer layers of the skin.”

Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum, £6.50, Sephora

SPF and vitamin C

Applying vitamin C before SPF in the morning is a genius idea, according to Shah-Desai, as it “will help protect the skin from UV damage and free radical damage.

“Vitamin C helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, slows down skin ageing and reduces the appearance of brown spots.” The order is important here – make sure you apply vitamin C first, “to get the best benefits of these products combined”, she says.