Nancy Answers: Can I mix and match different brands of skincare?

Dear Nancy, I know most skin care companies want you to use their whole line of products, but is it okay to mix and match from different lines instead?  Sincerely, G

Dear G, When I first started in the beauty business I was so excited to be surrounded by so many great products I was like a kid in a candy store. I was cocktail-ing with the best of them…and my skin paid the price for it! “The short answer though, is yes, it can be safe to mix and match different brands of skincare,” according to Dr. Komal Pandya, a board certified general and cosmetic dermatologist with The Dermatologist Group in Paramus and Nutley, NJ. But, before doing so, you should “consult with a licensed esthetician or board-certified dermatologist to avoid adverse reactions from active ingredients and determine a skincare regimen that will give you the results you desire.”

Certain active ingredients and different pH levels can cancel each other out or cause irritation if improperly combined. Also, keep in mind that some products work best when used daily, once or twice a week or only at night. Pandya says “choosing one brand of skincare certainly makes it easier to piece all of the products together, and some lines are formulated to work synergistically as a set, but with a little bit of homework – and the guidance of a professional (not the salespeople behind the counters who have a vested interest in the line) – you can certainly stick to your favorites and add in some powerful new products from other companies.”