The term ‘active ingredient’ is a real buzzword in the skincare world, often seen on packaging, and all over social media. It’s often associated with ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and AHAs and BHAs – powerful ingredients that make real change to your skin. But what often causes confusion is if and how you should combine them; which ones can you use safely (and effectively) at the same time?

The truth is, there are a lot of myths, and honestly, there’s a lot of different opinions on what does work well together and what should be avoided. Ultimately, having a better understanding of how active ingredients interact with each other and your skin will help you create a routine that has the perfect balance of actives, which won’t cause irritation.

To help clarify the dos and don’ts of layering active ingredients, we brought together three world-renowned dermatologists: NY-based dermatologist Dr. Shereene Idriss, celebrity derm Dr. Lancer, and Founder of his eponymous skincare brand Dr. Dennis Gross.