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Some things are just meant to be together. We could list some, but let your imagination wander. Other things are better suited on their own especially when it comes to certain skincare products. Powerful ingredients such as retinol, Vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and even certain acids demand to be the star of the show. Sharing the stage could lead to major drama in the form of irritation, redness, temporary staining, or just a general lack of desired results. There are so many great active ingredients out there and it may seem like using more of them would give you better results, but that’s not always the case, says Aegean Chan, a board-certified dermatologist based in Santa Barbara, California.
We ask cosmetic chemists, a brand founder, and a dermatologist why decoding product ingredient lists are leading to misinterpretation and misinformation.
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Hydroquinone is the LeBron James of skin care. The skin lightener is as controversial as it is effective. When incorporated into your complexion regimen properly, hydroquinone decreases the production of melanin by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme needed for melanin production, to decrease the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Because of this, many people consider it to be a skin-bleaching ingredient. According to Miami-based board-certified dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, it should be considered a color blender instead.