Can You Use Vitamin E with Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E are highly effective skincare ingredients that result in a number of benefits. When it comes to teaming ingredients together it is often considered some are a recipe for the disaster while others are made for each other, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E fall into the latter. So, with this in mind, let’s explore together how you can use vitamin E with hyaluronic acid.
Before we dive in however, let’s quickly refresh our memories about these two effective ingredients and how they work on the skin.
What are the skin benefits of hyaluronic acid?
Renowned for its unique ability to retain water and lock moisture into the skin.
One molecule of hyaluronic acid is able to hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water.
Ensures the natural protective skin barrier is fully functioning and able to combat any free radicals or other environmental aggressors.
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles giving the skin a smoother and plumper finish to the complexion.
Combats signs of fatigue on the skin giving it a boost in hydration and leaving it looking fresh and vibrant.
Helps to tighten the skin making the signs of pores become less noticeable.
Ensures the skin is fully hydrated and able to absorb any skincare products applied to reach the lower areas of the skin.
Leaves the skin feeling softer and smoother ensuring any makeup applied with last longer and apply easier.
What are the skin benefits of vitamin E?
Packed with antioxidants it can combat any signs of free radicals and other environmental aggressors.
Helps reduce the appearance of UV damage, such as dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone.
Provides nourishment to the surface of the skin keeping it plumped and healthy.
Highly moisturising and can help combat areas of severe dryness of the skin, from elbows to cuticles.
Can absorb rapidly into the skin leaving it hydrated and able to absorb any other skincare products applied to the face.
Can be taken as a supplement or through a topical skincare product, such as a cream or serum.
Reduces the appearance of scars and wounds as well as preventing any new ones developing.
Can you use vitamin E with hyaluronic acid?
You can indeed, both skincare ingredients are able to work together with little to no side effects. With the humectant traits of hyaluronic acid keeping the skin barrier plumped and hydrated, vitamin E can nourish the skin keeping in moisturised and balanced at its healthiest state.
How you decide to layer them depends on the product formulations as its always considered best to apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency. Starting off with face cleansers, toners, serums, face oils and moisturisers. This is a basic skincare rule when layering products in your routine. This ensures you are allowing the products to absorb properly into the skin without having to compete with physical barrier left behind by thicker skincare products.
What works best with hyaluronic acid?
The beauty of hyaluronic acid is the fact it can deliver impressive skin results single handily as well as when teamed with other potent skin ingredients. It is one of the very few skincare powerhouses, such as lactic acid, niacinamide, retinol and vitamin C that can work well with other formulations and ingredients. Just like all skincare ingredients, I would suggest performing a patch test for 24 hours before applying the product all over the face in case there is some unwanted irritation or allergic reaction.
To get the most out of your hyaluronic acid there are various molecular sizes that are found in different formulations meaning they can reach the lower layers of the skin. With the humectant abilities of hyaluronic acid, it will continue to draw up water from the lower layers of the skin and bring the hydration to the surface. This will keep the complexion plumped and hydrated, but what you may find is the skin may be left feeling “thirstier” especially if you have applied hyaluronic acid to dry skin. Therefore, I suggest ensuring the skin is still slightly damp as this will enable the hyaluronic acid to lock in every ounce of hydration into place and prevent the moisture escaping.
Can you mix hyaluronic acid with vitamin C and E?
Yes, you certainly can use hyaluronic acid with vitamin C and E. Including all three in your routine will help you reap the rewards of these potent powerhouses. With this combination you will be left a vibrant complexion whilst combating signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. With the help from the antioxidant properties of both vitamin C and E any signs of discolouration, such as dark spots or post acne scarring are significantly reduced. The skin barrier is also left strengthened and able to protect itself from any exposure to free radicals, such UV rays, pollution, and harsh climates.
The best way of mixing hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and E is to start the day with a serum enriched in vitamin C followed with hyaluronic acid to lock in hydration. Follow this in the evening with a hyaluronic acid serum followed with a moisturiser packed with vitamin E to nourish and repair the skin whilst you catch up on your well-deserved beauty sleep.
Should I use hyaluronic acid before or after retinol?
It’s best to apply hyaluronic acid after retinol to help counteract the drying effects of retinol. Leave around 30 minutes between applications to ensure each product is fully absorbed into the skin, ideally you should use a retinol enriched serum followed with a moisturiser packed with hyaluronic acid. This will not only lock moisture into the skin, but the physical barrier created by the moisturiser will give the skin an extra layer of protection from the elements, free radicals, and other harsh environmental aggressors. If you want to find out more about how to layer hyaluronic acid and retinol, check out our dedicated blog post.
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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.
