"Can You Use Retinol After Glycolic Acid in Your Skincare Routine?"

Can You use Retinol After Glycolic Acid?

When it comes to skincare, there’s no denying that glycolic acid and retinol are two powerhouse ingredients that have impressive results on the complexion. It’s no wonder you’ll find them formulated into an array of products by several different brands.

If you have been around here for a while, you’ll not doubt have read about how to use retinol and glycolic acid in your everyday routine, but the question is- can you use retinol after glycolic acid? Let’s find out more about this together, if you need a reminder of what the benefits are of each of these ingredients, check out the blog post we have about glycolic acid and retinol over on The Beauty Insiders.

What do you use after glycolic acid?

Quite often you’ll find that glycolic acid is formulated into cleanser, exfoliating toners/pads, and serums. No matter which you decide to use in your routine following glycolic acid with a hydrating ingredient, such as hyaluronic acid or niacinamide will restore the skin water and oil levels in the skin barrier enabling it able to protect itself from exposure to free radicals. Using either a serum or moisturiser enriched in these ingredients will ensure hydration is locked into the skin surface whilst also forming a protective barrier preventing any further damage from occurring.

You can apply glycolic acid twice a day during your morning and evening routines, however, it is important to remember to use a daily SPF of 30 even on days that seem overcast and raining for UV protection.

What can you not mix with glycolic acid?

It is considered that using glycolic acid with another acid, in particular salicylic acid will result in the skin becoming very dry and irritated. This is because each acid works on different layers of the skin, glycolic acid on the outer surface sloughing away the layer of dead skin cells, and salicylic acid penetrating deeply into the pores and unclogging them of bacteria, debris, and other impurities. You’ll find that mixing ingredients as potent as these will lead to an imbalance in the pH levels of the skin as well as stripping it of the vital oils it requires to function correctly and keep itself protected from damage.

Don’t forget that if you are ever unsure of which ingredients you should apply to your skin, it is best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to avoid unwanted irritation.

Can I use glycolic acid with retinol and niacinamide?

Yes, you can, all three of these ingredients deliver impressive results to the skin. Understanding the best way of layering them will not only ensure they are able to perform on the skin but will also prevent any irritation or reactions. Ideally you should be using a glycolic acid enriched twice a day as this will rid the skin of impurity build-up. You should then follow this after 30 minutes with a serum containing niacinamide to help draw water back into the skin surface keeping the complexion plumped. For your evening routine, you can then apply a retinol product to work undisturbed whilst you catch up on your beauty sleep. Before trying any new skincare ingredients or formulas, I would strongly suggest performing a patch test for 24 hours before applying anything directly onto the face. This will help you get a better understanding of whether you’ll benefit from using these ingredients in your daily skincare routine.

Can I use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night?

Absolutely, you can in fact, use glycolic acid twice a day. As I have already mentioned however, an imbalance in pH levels can result in dry, tight, and irritated skin. Therefore, it’s important to leave enough time in between product applications to bypass this and reap the rewards of this powerful duo.

Retinol is also an ingredient that cannot be used in the day purely because any exposure to UV light will render it useless and it will completely lose its potency. You will also find that if you use glycolic acid in the shape of a toner beforehand your retinol will be able to deliver results rapidly and effectively. By ridding the surface of the skin from any build-up of dead skin cells, bacteria, dirt, and debris. If these impurities are left to build-up, you will find that any formulations applied to the skin will take longer to absorb through this physical barrier.

When should I use glycolic acid in routine?

You can use glycolic acid in any step of your routine, it very much depends on which product it is you decide to use. You’ll find that this potent AHA makes its way into a variety of formulations, from cleansers, toners, serums, face oils, and moisturisers. Depending on which product contains glycolic acid will determine when you apply it during your routine with the basic skincare meaning you start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest. By doing this each product can absorb into the skin without having to tackle a physical barrier created by a thicker formula.

Is it OK to use glycolic acid every day?

Yes, it is ok if your skin is happy for you to use it every day. Glycolic acid is one of the most used, but most potent member of the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family. These chemical exfoliants generally work on the outer surface of the skin and provide a plethora of skin results, from revived, brighter complexions to evening out the skin tone and combating first signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Those who have a normal to oily skin type will quite often benefit the most from using glycolic acid daily. If, however you have a skin type that is dry and prone to sensitivity it is best to avoid using such a powerful acid, instead opting for lactic acid which is much gentler or a member of the poly hydroxy acid (PHA) family.

There you have a little more information about using retinol after glycolic acid. If you have established with your doctor these ingredients are safe to use in your daily routine and you apply them as instructed, there’s nothing stopping you from using retinol after glycolic acid. Don’t forget that if you have any more skincare questions, come, and find us over on Instagram, you’ll find me in the direct messages.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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