Can You use Tea Tree and Witch Hazel with Retinol?
If you’re a fan of skincare, you’ll probably already have a good understanding of how to add retinol into your routine in the most effective way. As for tea tree and witch hazel, although both have been used for thousands of years, but are still a couple of the lesser-known skin ingredients. In today’s blog post we will be exploring more into whether you can use tea tree and witch hazel with retinol.
So, stick around before you want to find out more and if you are wondering what these ingredients do for the skin, here is a quick rundown of their benefits.
What are the skincare benefits of tea tree?
Tea tree oil is able to kill the bacteria, also known as p.acnes bacteria that sits on the surface of the skin. It’s this bacteria that are one of the main causes of acne and other types of blemishes.
Tea tree oil contains anti-inflammatory properties meaning that once it is applied to any skin suffering from a flare-up in acne or breakouts you will be able to target signs of redness and size of the active spots, whilst preventing further breakouts.
Tea tree oil can treat a wide variety of different acne, depending on the product formula, you are able to target comedonal acne, such as blackheads and inflammatory acne, such as large, red pimples.
What are the skincare benefits of witch hazel?
Witch hazel is enriched in anti-inflammatory properties meaning it can work on the skin surface as well as the lower layers of the skin.
Witch hazel can help remove any excess sebum found on the surface removing any build-up of impurities.
Witch hazel can help tighten pores making them appear less visible to the naked eye.
Witch hazel can also help calm and reduce any signs of skin texture, such as any razor bumps that occur from shaving.
What are the skincare benefits of retinol?
Retinol can help increase the speed of the skin cell turnover revealing fresh skin cells giving a vibrant glow to the complexion.
Retinol can work in the lower layers of the skin giving a boost to the production of collagen and elastin giving you a firmer skin.
Retinol can improve the overall look of the skin by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Retinol can reduce the appearance of premature ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Retinol can improve the texture of the skin leaving you with a smoother, even finish.
Now that you’ve had a brief recap of these potent ingredients and how they work on the skin, now let’s dive in and find out if you can use tea tree and witch hazel with retinol.
Can I use tea tree oil and retinol together? No, it’s best to avoid using tea tree oil with retinol, as well as other potent actives such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin C. This is because although tea tree oil is a natural ingredient, it’s an extremely potent and layering it with other active ingredients. This will lead to the skin becoming stripped of the oil and water it needs to remain in its healthiest state. If you find you’re wanting to use both tea tree oil and retinol in your skincare regime you should alternate the day you apply each powerhouse, remembering to apply either one or the other. Can you use retinol and witch hazel together? Yes, you can, but make sure you use the correct concentrate of witch hazel to avoid unwanted irritation. For a routine that already includes retinol the best way of using witch hazel is to opt for using a toner containing the gentle exfoliant. This not only gives the skin a gentle, but deep clean, but it also leaves enough time in between applications to allow the skin to rebalance. Witch hazel is known for being effective yet gentle meaning you can team it with retinoid of any strength, from prescription to over-the-counter formulations. Remember that if you are introducing any new ingredients or formulas to the skin you must consult with a dermatologist or medical professional to avoid any flare-up of irritation on the face. What can you not mix with tea tree oil? As I have already mentioned, there are a few potent ingredients that should be avoided with tea tree oil. This will be too much for the skin and cause severe dryness and discomfort. One other factor you need to remember is you should not apply tea tree oil directly to the skin surface. Try instead teaming it with a nourishing carrier oil, such as coconut, almond, or olive oil. What oil can you mix with retinol? Jojoba oil is thought to be the most effective oil to mix with retinol. With it being extremely hydrating for the skin it is an ideal oil to apply to the skin after retinol. Jojoba oil can target fine lines and wrinkles as well as combating the common drying side effects that occur when retinol is applied. Does tea tree cause purging? Yes, it can, purging is a common side effect that all exfoliants cause to the skin. The purging is a result of all the nastiness found in the lower layers of the skin is pushed to the surface. This is because by sloughing away the layer of dead skin cells from the surface and removes the barrier. Once this is gone you will also find tea tree can work in the lower layers of the skin and unclog the pores of any bacteria, dirt, and general gunk that can lead in acne and other breakouts. Can I leave tea tree oil on my face overnight? Yes, you can leave tea tree oil on your face overnight. As I have previously mentioned you shouldn’t apply it to the skin without a carrier oil. Once you have the correct mixture you can use it all over the face, avoiding the eye area, and leave it overnight. Once the morning arrives rinse any of the remaining mixture using warm water. For the best results use this once or twice a week as this will deliver the benefits without the side effects. So, I hope that this has answered some of your questions about using tea tree and witch hazel with retinol. If you have any more skincare questions, you can find out more over on the Procoal Instagram.
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.
