How to Combine Skincare Actives: Dr. Daniel Gould Featured in goop

Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Gould, MD, PhD was recently featured in goop discussing how to combine skincare actives effectively, including peptides, retinoids, vitamin C, exosomes, and newer ingredients designed to support cellular health and skin longevity.

With increasingly complex skincare routines, using more active ingredients does not necessarily lead to better results. Dr. Gould emphasizes a more intentional approach, selecting ingredients based on how they function together while avoiding combinations that may increase irritation or interfere with effectiveness. As he explains in the article, using numerous actives at once can add expense and complexity without producing proportional improvements in the skin.

Among the newer areas discussed is NAD+ support. NAD+ plays an important role in cellular energy production, but levels naturally decline with age. Dr. Gould explains that topical NAD+ precursors can help support cellular health, with potential benefits for the skin's resilience, repair mechanisms, and longevity. He also identifies peptides as particularly worthwhile for at-home routines because they are generally well tolerated, compatible with many other ingredients, and can provide meaningful skin-supporting benefits.

Dr. Gould specifically recommends pairing peptides with retinoids. While retinoids encourage cellular turnover and remodeling, peptides can complement this activity by supporting repair and the skin barrier. This allows the two ingredients to play different but complementary roles within a thoughtful nighttime skincare routine.

The article also explores exosomes, microscopic vesicles involved in communication between cells. Dr. Gould explains that exosomes can transport biological material including growth factors, signaling molecules, proteins, and RNA. He notes that they can be particularly valuable when used after procedures such as microneedling and laser treatments, where supporting the skin's healing response is an important part of recovery.

Just as important as knowing what to combine is understanding what to separate. Dr. Gould advises against applying vitamin C and retinoids at the same time, noting that differences in pH can affect their performance. Ultimately, his approach reinforces a central principle of effective skincare: a carefully constructed routine built around compatible, evidence-informed ingredients can be more valuable than simply layering every trending active at once.

Read the full article in goop:
https://goop.com/beauty/skin/which-skin-care-actives-work-best-together