Under $100: Best Ingredient Combinations for Radiant Skin
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Pairing the right actives, such as retinoids with niacinamide or hyaluronic acid, AHAs/BHAs with ceramides and vitamin C with vitamin E plus SPF50+, delivers stronger anti-ageing results, brighter tone and less irritation while staying under $100. Here we explain correct layering, timing and practical product picks to try.
Top Insights From This Guide
- Apply retinol first, then niacinamide or a combined product; follow with SPF.
- Layer retinoids under hyaluronic acid to prevent dryness and boost hydration.
- After AHAs/BHAs, use ceramides, hyaluronic acid or glycerin to reduce irritation.
- Use vitamin C and vitamin E in the morning with SPF50+ for better sun defence.
- Apply vitamin C in the morning and salicylic acid at night to brighten and clear.
In life, there are many things that work well on their own, like going for a run or binging back-to-back episodes of Love Is Blind.
But there are also plenty of things that work even better together, like popcorn and Maltesers, or a post-mix Coke on a dusty Sunday (trust me, it’s the goods).
In the world of skincare, this notion holds up, too.
Active ingredients offer a host of skin-sweetening benefits, from reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to nourishing dehydrated skin and balancing oil production.
But when they’re layered together correctly (yep, there’s a right way to apply them) not only can they tackle multiple concerns in one, they can actually enhance the effectiveness of one another.
Below, I’ve rounded up five of the best skincare ingredient combinations to help you achieve your best skin yet, according to our resident dermal therapist, Yadira Cauchi.
1. Retinoids + Niacinamide.
When it comes to complementary ingredients, retinoids and niacinamide are right up there.
A quick refresher: Niacinamide is a type of vitamin B3 that works wonders by building proteins in the skin, boosting hydration and strengthening the skin barrier.
It’s best known for its anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory properties, while also being a potent antioxidant that helps inhibit the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots.
Now, enter retinol, a form of vitamin A. Like niacinamide, retinol is a superhero when it comes to the fight against ageing and hyperpigmentation.
Joanna takes us through all things retinol, sharing tips and product recommendations for beginners below.
However, retinol’s exfoliating properties can sometimes cause skin irritation. This is where pairing it with niacinamide comes into play.
By combining these two ingredients, you can enjoy the benefits of retinol’s acne-fighting and skin-renewing properties while soothing and restoring your skin with the calming effects of niacinamide.
Luckily, there are products that contain both ingredients in one (I’ve listed two below).
Alternatively, apply your retinol first, followed by niacinamide. Just remember to slap on SPF afterwards or the following morning if using retinol before bed.
Here are my top combined picks:
- L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser Retinol + Niacinamide Pressed Cream 50ml - A deeply nourishing and hydrating night cream packed with retinol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
- Avene Hyaluron Activ B3 Multi-Intensive Night Cream 40ml - Niacinamide & Retinal Night Cream - A multi-tasking night cream with retinal, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to improve the visible signs of ageing.
Here are my top single-ingredient picks:
- The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% - 30ml - One of The Ordinary’s best-selling serums that helps clear congestion and minimise the appearance and severity of blemishes.
- Viviology Niacinamide + HA Serum 30mL - A hydrating combination of a triple-hyaluronic acid complex with 7% niacinamide and panthenol.
- Skinstitut Retinol 30ml - A corrective lightweight gel that repairs and strengthens for healthier, younger-looking skin.
2. Retinoids + Hyaluronic Acid.
Just like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and retinoids are a match made in skin heaven.
Let’s start with hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that increases the moisture content in your skin and ensures it stays there.
It helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve wound healing and enhance skin elasticity.
By combining hyaluronic acid with retinol, you can reap the benefits of retinol sans dryness or irritation.
Again, when applying these two, lead with your retinol and layer your hyaluronic acid on top to keep your skin hydrated and happy.
Here are my top picks:
- Beaute Pacifique Defy Damage Skin Repair Serum 40ml - A light-textured, serum-in-lotion that contains a gentle form of vitamin A, hyaluronic acid, squalane and vitamin E to help fight pigmentation, wrinkles and sun damage.
- The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane - A gentle retinol in a light oil base that hydrates and conditions the skin, while improving the appearance of ageing.
- Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Liquid Rehydration Serum 30ml - A deeply hydrating serum containing vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin and boost moisture retention.
3. Exfoliating Acids + Moisturising/Hydrating Ingredients.
Exfoliating acids have earned their rightful place in our skincare routines, praised for their ability to resurface the skin and reveal a more radiant complexion.
The two main exfoliants are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).
AHAs like glycolic acid work to remove dead skin cells from the surface. Whereas BHAs like salicylic acid penetrate deep into the pores, clearing congestion and reducing excess oil.
While exfoliating acids are great for improving skin texture and clarity, they often come with dryness, redness and irritation.
This is why pairing them with hydrating ingredients (like ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin) proves useful in replenishing and nourishing your skin.
Tune in to the below video for everything you need to know about exfoliating.
Here are my top picks:
- asap super B complex 30ml - A powerful serum containing niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, as well as glycolic acid and lactic acid, to improve skin tone and texture while flooding the skin with hydration.
- Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment 100ml - A holy grail liquid exfoliant containing glycolic acid to remove dead skin cells and the humectant glycerin to help maintain moisture balance.
- Viviology Liquid Exfoliant 200mL - A liquid, chemical exfoliant to help slough away devitalised skin cells with soothing ingredients to reduce redness.
4. Vitamin C + Vitamin E + SPF.
When it comes to sun protection and fighting premature skin ageing, there’s a dynamic trio you’ll want on your side: vitamin C, vitamin E and SPF.
Vitamins C and E are both powerful antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress caused by environmental factors and promote a more radiant complexion.
When combined with SPF, vitamin C and vitamin E take sun protection to the next level. These antioxidants not only provide their own protective benefits but actually enhance the effectiveness of sunscreen.
That’s why you’ll often see them packed into SPF formulations. I’ve listed three cult faves below.
Here are my top picks:
- Aspect Sun Hydrating Face SPF 50+ 75ml - A hydrating, highly protective face sunscreen for every day, enriched with vitamin E.
- AB LAB by Adore Beauty Barrier Boost SPF50 Mineral Sun Cream 75mL - A daily SPF that combines broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection with potent antioxidants, plus niacinamide and ceramides for protection.
- Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF50+ - A sunscreen and moisturiser in one that provides SPF50+ broad-spectrum protection and hydration at the same time.
5. Vitamin C + Salicylic Acid.
Last but certainly not least are vitamin C and salicylic acid. Aka, our glow-getters.
This powerhouse duo offer a range of skin benefits, from improving skin tone and texture to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, addressing acne concerns and boosting overall radiance.
We briefly touched on salicylic acid but to quickly recap: It’s a BHA that gently exfoliates the skin.
Vitamin C, on the other hand, is a potent antioxidant that brightens and revitalises the skin. It helps to even skin tone, fade dark spots and protect the skin from environmental aggressors.
When combined, vitamin C and salicylic acid can transform dull, tired-looking skin into a healthy, luminous complexion.
Some products incorporate both ingredients, or you can apply them separately.
If doing the latter, we recommend applying vitamin C in the morning to shield your skin from UV rays. Then, incorporate salicylic acid into your nighttime routine to cleanse your skin while you sleep.
Here are my top picks:
- Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20 - A serum and foundation in one formulated with hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and vitamin C + UP302 to leave bare skin looking even better.
- L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum 30ml - A serum formulated with vitamin C, vitamin E and salicylic acid to brighten skin, target fine lines, even skin tone and reduce the look of pores.
- Medik8 Press & Clear - A daily toner featuring salicylic acid, alpha arbutin and Kakadu plum (which is naturally rich in vitamin C) for a clearer, brighter-looking complexion.
More skincare tips and tricks this way... check out these Beauty IQ articles:
