Hi everyone!
I've been layering azelaic acid and Vitamin C serum in the morning for a while now. However, I've recently realized that I might not be getting any benefits from the Vitamin C serum since Azelaic Acid Suspension is dimethicone-based and so it acts as an occlusive. I cannot use the Vitamin C serum as a first product for a similar reason: The Ordinary - Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F is oil-based, so putting dimethicone on top of that would not give any azelaic acid benefits either. Is my only solution to use these products at different times of the day? Both of them as being last in my skincare routine?
In the evening I use Granactive Retinoid in Squalane. Does that also mean I cannot pair it with my azelaic acid or Vitamin C serum? Should I better look for a water-based retinoid?
I'm stuck, so would really appreciate your thoughts! Thanks :)
Update: so far I found out that dimethicone and plant oils are occlusive, but not so much that nothing can penetrate them. Plant oils or squalane generally have smaller molecules compared to dimethicone, which is a type of silicone oil. As a result, plant oils have the potential to penetrate the skin more easily than dimethicone. So, if I use Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution first and then Azelaic Acid Suspension on top, I should still get some benefits from both. However, using those two together can result in pilling since the silicon does not mix with the oil.