Look into your current skincare lineup and you’ll probably spy a “Hyaluronic Acid ___" here and a “Vitamin C ___" there. No routine is complete without its backbone, the basic ingredients that build its foundation, but this is only the beginning. With the right skincare combinations and ingredient pairings, you have the potential to level up on your skincare journey and achieve your best skin yet. Wondering how to up your glowiness or put an end to texture? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to uncover the skincare ingredient combinations you need to elevate your skin and take your skincare mastery to new heights.

You have: Ceramide

Pair With: Beta-Glucan

Result: Hydration Transformation

We’ve been talking about Ceramides a lot recently, as they’re a key ingredient to building and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. If you’ve been tuning in and are already equipped with Ceramides, you’ll be wanting to add Beta Glucan to your roster. Beta Glucan is another humectant ingredient that draws moisture to the skin, prevents moisture loss, and plumps up the skin. It’s also known to form a protective barrier over the skin to fight against external aggressors, which allows Ceramide to fortify the skin barrier without further damage. The two ingredients make for deeply hydrated, healthy skin - complexions ravaged by winter weather, take note.

Try: numbuzin - No.2 Cica Ceramide Repair Cream + mixsoon - Beta-Glucan Essence

Your Perfect Pairing

You have: BHA

Pair With: Centella Asiatica

Result: Calm 'n' Clear

Oily and acne-prone skin will be familiar with BHA, an effective exfoliator that rids the pores of dead skin cells and excess sebum. An ingredient pairing that, while it yields great results, is lesser known about is BHA and Centella Asiatica. Also known as Cica, this herbal ingredient is a great skin soother and treats oiliness, bacteria, and inflammation. Using these 2 in conjunction will prompt cell turnover and kickstart skin calming and healing processes, forming a cycle that addresses and treats acne breakouts.

Try: Isntree - Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid + VT - Cica Cream

Your Perfect Pairing

You have: Hyaluronic Acid

Pair With: Snail Mucin

Result: Quenched Glass Skin

Hyaluronic Acid and Snail Mucin are both humectants, meaning they draw moisture from the air into the skin, but they perform different functions. Snail Mucin is made up of HA, proteins, and enzymes, and works to heal the skin barrier to improve its moisture-retention abilities. With Hyaluronic Acid providing the moisture and Snail Mucin sealing it into the skin, you can expect ultra quenched skin that is also blemish-free and smooth, thanks to Snail Mucin’s antibacterial and exfoliating properties. It’s giving major glass skin goals.

Try: SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Blue Serum + COSRX - Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Your Perfect Pairing

You have: Vitamin C

Pair With: Rice

Result: Glow Master

Vitamin C is a staple for antioxidant protection, boosting skin glow, and promoting collagen production - a solid all-rounder. While these benefits are good, they can be made even better when paired with another brightness-boosting ingredient: Rice. A traditional beauty secret passed down through generations, Rice is another antioxidant that treats excess melanin production and dark spots while inducing the skin to produce more collagen. When Rice and Vitamin C are used together, they enhance the skin’s natural radiance and zap away hyperpigmentation for a clear and luminous complexion.

Try: PURITO - Pure Vitamin C Serum + Haruharu WONDER - Black Rice Hyaluronic Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule

Your Perfect Pairing

You have: Retinol

Pair With: Green Tea

Result: Smooth Cruiser

For fighting against signs of aging and encouraging cell turnover, Retinol is your best friend. However it’s not uncommon for Retinol to disagree with skin, especially as you reach for products with higher concentrations. That’s where Green Tea steps in: this antioxidant ingredient is incredibly soothing and can help the skin tolerate actives such as Retinol. Moreover, both ingredients are acne busters, with Retinol clearing out impurities and excess sebum in the pores, and Green Tea offering its antibacterial properties. For a smooth, blemish and texture-free complexion, try this combination.

Try: esfolio - esfolio Retinol Vital Ampoule + innisfree - Green Tea Seed Serum - 80ml

Your Perfect Pairing

Which ingredient pairing will you be trying out? Stock up on your routine staples and pick up something new in our VANAtine’s Day Sale with an exclusive discount to save you money on your haul that can be found on our homepage! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, as well as keep an eye on the VANA Blog, to make sure you receive all the latest news, promos, and information!