Natural Ingredient Library
30+ traditional Asian ingredients, what they do, best skin types and how to use them.
How to Read Your Results
The ingredient checker identifies known interactions between skincare actives. A conflict flag means the two ingredients are generally recommended to be used at different times of day or on alternate days, either because one destabilises the other or because layering them increases the risk of irritation. A compatibility result means no known interaction has been flagged, not that the combination is guaranteed to suit your skin.
Common Interactions to Know
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is generally recommended to be kept separate from niacinamide in the same routine step, though research on this interaction is debated. Retinol and AHAs or BHAs used together in the same routine step can cause significant irritation for most skin types; many dermatologists recommend using them on alternate nights. Benzoyl peroxide can oxidise and reduce the effectiveness of retinol when layered directly.
Layering Order Matters Too
Even compatible ingredients can underperform if applied in the wrong order. The general rule is thinnest to thickest: water-based serums before moisturisers, moisturisers before oils, and sunscreen as the last step in a morning routine. The Routine Order Checker can walk you through the correct sequence for your specific products.