Can You Mix Retinol and AHA BHA?
As you may already know, retinol, AHAs and BHAs are potent skin ingredients that over the years have made their way into our everyday routine. However, this hasn’t been an easy task, especially when it comes to introducing something as potent as retinol into your regime. The question we have though is, can you mix retinol with AHA and BHA? This could be something that can cause some potential drying side effects and irritation, but don’t panic, as this is something we will be covering in today’s blog and with any luck we will reducing any concerns you have about using these three powerhouse ingredients together.
If you are sat there wondering what exactly these ingredients do for the skin, you can check out the dedicated blog post we have about everything you need to know about them, so check those out to find out more.
What is retinol? And how does it work on the skin?
What are AHAs and BHAs?
Now, you’ve refreshed your knowledge of these clever formulas, let’s get stuck in!
Can you use AHA BHA and retinol together?
Yes and no, there is a strong divide between skincare experts about whether you can use retinol with AHAs and BHAs. Both sides do however recommend using these effective ingredients in your daily skincare routine, it’s just a case of establishing how they would fit in and finding the optimal time you can apply them.
The easiest way to incorporate these ingredients in your routine is to use products, such as exfoliating toners enriched with an AHA, like glycolic acid, or BHA, such as salicylic acid. You can then follow this in the evening with a retinol product, this allows enough time to pass in between applications to avoid any irritation or imbalance of the skin’s pH levels allowing it to correct itself.
If you have a dry skin type that is prone to increased sensitivity you should use these powerful acids and retinol with caution. This is because retinol and the most used BHA, salicylic acid requires you introduce them slowly into your regime. Begin by applying it once a week and then slowly increase the frequency overtime to every other night once the skin has built its tolerance.
Can you use retinol and AHA in the same week?
Yes, it’s absolutely fine to use AHA and retinol in the same week, just make sure you are using the products the correct way. It’s considered best to avoid layering AHAs, such as glycolic acid, with retinol. This is due to the high potency and exfoliating properties of the acid will strip the skin surface of the vital oil and water it needs to remain healthy.
The protective skin barrier plays an important role in maintaining the overall look and comfort of the complexion, when it lacks the correct levels of sebum (the natural oil found on the surface) and water its strength is depleted making it suspectable to skin damage caused from exposure to free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental aggressors.
Having said that, the skin benefits both AHAs and retinol provide also play an important role of keeping the complexion healthy. Therefore, when using them in your routine you must figure out the most effective way to reap the rewards without any unwanted skin irritation. There are a few different ways you can do this, here are some examples of the most popular.
Apply AHA and retinol at different times of the day
This allows you to benefit from the various skin results without causing too much disruption for the skin. Very few of us know that an imbalance in pH levels on the skin is often one of the main causes of skin irritation. Applying AHA enriched products in the morning and following this with retinol during your evening skincare routine allows enough time for the skin’s pH levels to rebalance and becomes fully absorbent.
Alternate the days of the week you apply each ingredient
Retinol is an ingredient that needs to be applied in the evening due to exposure to UV light making it lose its potency, rendering it useless on the skin. You will also find that retinoids should only be applied to the skin 3-4 times a week, this leaves you the option to use your an AHA product on the days you aren’t using retinol. This will result in your skin reaping the rewards of these powerhouse products whilst side stepping any skin reaction or negative side effects.
As I have already mentioned you skin type will also determine whether these ingredients are safe to use, so always check with a medical professional before applying any new formulas to your face.
Can you use retinol and salicylic acid together?
Combining retinol and salicylic acid can often lead to a skin drying disaster. When using them in your routine you need to give your skin enough time to build its tolerance. However, some skincare experts have expressed their concerns about layering salicylic acid and retinol together. Using two extremely potent ingredients together will be too much for the skin surface and will weaken the protective barrier resulting in the skin showing signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and areas of hyperpigmentation.
Here is an example of how to use salicylic acid and retinol in the most optimal way.
Clean the skin with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser
Soak a cotton disc with an exfoliating toner enriched in salicylic acid and sweep it around the face, avoiding the eye area
Whilst the skin is still slightly damp, apply a serum enriched in hyaluronic acid to lock moisture into the skin and counteract the drying effects of salicylic acid and retinol
Follow this with an eye cream, remembering to use your ring finger for application to avoid skin tugging
Apply another serum or face oil packed with retinol all over the skin avoiding the eyes and mouth
Lock extra nourishment into the skin with a rich moisturiser
Can I use BHA in the morning?
Yes, you can but many feel that because BHA, such as salicylic acid often increases the skin’s sensitivity to UV exposure leading to skin damage. This is why you’ll find many apply a BHA enriched product in the evening as this will allow the ingredient to work on the skin undisturbed whilst you sleep. Not forgetting to follow this with a daily SPF of 30 and above to keep the skin surface fully protected from further skin damage.
There you have a little more information about mixing retinol and AHA with BHA, don’t forget if you have any more skincare questions come and follow us on Instagram, you’ll find me in the direct messages, see you there!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
