Combining active skincare ingredients?

[Kaatti]

I bought two The Ordinary products one is the Glycolic Acid 7% Toning solution and the Granactive Retinoid 2% emulsion to help with my milia. I also have dry skin so I got a free mini of Volition Beauty's green celery moisturizer that has hyaluronic acid and peptides. I know you aren't supposed to mix peptides with AHA ingredients, but could I use them on separate days? I was going to use the toning solutions and retinoid emulsion on the same days. I'm not sure if I should even use the moisturizer or if it wouldn't go well with the other ingredients.

[WinglessOne]

@Kaatti 

The Ordinary now says you shouldn’t mix their peptide products with their direct acid products (they didn’t used to say that) because—I assume—they’re worried about one TO formula breaking the chemical bonds in another TO formula. But in general, you can use other brands’ AHA and peptides in the same routine. I do it often: I use a leave-on AHA exfoliant a few nights a week and sometimes I follow it with THE ORDINARY - Buffet, which is full of peptides. Nothing bad has happened as a result. 🙂 

I also frequently layer a retinol serum over my AHA exfoliant. I use The INKEY List Retinol Fine Lines and Wrinkles Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL  which contains a peptide. I put that over FIRST AID BEAUTY - FAB Skin Lab Resurfacing Liquid 10% AHA or Paula’s Choice CLEAR Regular Strength Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution (a leave-on BHA exfoliant; I alternate between this and AHA). 

If you’ve never used an AHA or retinol before, I recommend introducing them to your skin separately. Start with the AHA: use it once or twice a week to see how your skin reacts. Do that for a couple weeks, then increase usage if your skin tolerates it. Once you’ve used the AHA for a while, introduce the retinol—again, just once a week at first for 2 weeks, then increase usage gradually. How frequently you can use either product, and whether or not you can layer them, depends on your skin’s tolerance. 

I hope both The Ordinary products work for you! Oh, and tell me how you like the Volition celery moisturizer: I’m curious about that one. 🙂 

[Kaatti]

The moisturizer is really hydrating and sinks into the skin, I put it under my eyes because it was really dry there and it felt like my under eyes were plumper. It's a really soothing moisturizer.

[Kaatti]

Thank you, I'll do as you said and slowly work up the products to my routine. I'll make sure to get back to you on the moisturizer!

[lmaster]

@Kaatti I alternate days that I use retinol and aha/bha products