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Can BHAs be used with retinol?
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Can BHAs be used with retinol?

23 September 2024





Can BHAs be used with retinol?




It’s completely normal to feel a bit like a mad scientist when using skincare. If you’ve been in this space for a while, you’ll probably be more confident about which ingredients work together. But if you’re new, don’t worry because today we’re going to cover whether or not you can use BHAs with retinol.





Let’s quickly review the benefits you can expect from using BHAs and retinol in your daily skincare routine.




What is a BHA?





The most commonly used BHA, also known as beta hydroxy acid, is salicylic acid, which is derived from willow bark. Many people with oily and blemish-prone skin love it because it removes dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and debris from the surface of the skin. It’s also one of the smallest acids in molecular size and is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deep into the pores to remove excess sebum or impurities that can cause skin blemishes like blackheads and acne. Due to the high efficacy of this chemical peel, it’s best used with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid. If you want to learn more about BHAs, especially salicylic acid, check out The Beauty Insiders’ blog post on their benefits.




What is Retinol?





One of the most effective and widely used ingredients in skin care, it’s a favorite among experts. Also known as Vitamin A, one of its main benefits is its ability to boost skin cell turnover. This helps improve fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, dark spots, and breakouts. As you can see, retinol is a very versatile ingredient, but it’s also known to cause dryness and short-term side effects like itchy, flaking skin. That’s why you need to introduce retinol into your daily routine slowly and correctly to avoid severe irritation and possible damage. For more information on retinol and its skincare benefits, check out the blog.




Can Salicylic Acid Be Used with Retinol?





The short answer is yes, but make sure you use it correctly. You should avoid layering these two powerhouses because they don’t blend well with each other. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to use them in your daily routine, just use them at the best time of day.




Many skin care experts recommend using products like toner or cleanser with salicylic acid in your morning routine. Just make sure you finish your daily sunscreen routine. You can then continue to use your retinol product at night, also because retinol is known to lose its effectiveness when exposed to the sun.





If you want to use salicylic acid at night, you can, but you just need to think about it a little more to avoid adverse reactions. Ideally, you should wait at least 30 minutes between each application to allow the skin’s surface pH to balance and prepare for the next step in your skincare regimen.




Can I exfoliate with retinol?





No, it is best to avoid exfoliation when using retinol. The additional chemical and physical exfoliation of the skin, followed by the use of retinol, strips the skin of its oils. Once the skin has experienced this deprivation, it panics and starts overproducing sebum (the skin’s natural oil). Excessive sebum can cause acne breakouts and lead to an imbalance in your skin type.




Fortunately, it is recommended to use retinol every other night, so you can exfoliate on the nights when you don’t use retinol. However, I still recommend consulting your doctor or dermatologist before using new ingredients and products in your daily routine to avoid any adverse reactions.





Can salicylic acid and retinol be used on the same day?




Yes, you can, but remember to plan the application carefully. As I mentioned before, you should alternate between the two ingredients to get the benefits of using both. Since retinol should not be used during the day, consider using a cleanser or toner with salicylic acid in your morning skincare routine.





Pay attention to how your skin feels. If dryness or irritation occurs and a hyaluronic acid serum doesn’t provide relief it’s best to seek advice from a trained professional or medical professional.




What Not to Mix with Salicylic Acid?





There are many skincare ingredients that should not be mixed with salicylic acid, such as: b.




Glycolic Acid





Lactic Acid




Benzoyl Peroxide





Retinol/Retinoids




Tretinoin





Vitamin C




Just to clarify what I mentioned before: Not being able to mix any of these ingredients with salicylic acid doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them in your daily routine. If you leave at least 30 minutes between applications or use them at different times of the day, you’ll reap the rewards.


Which is Better, Retinol or Salicylic Acid?

Both ingredients are impressive and effective in fighting blemishes and breakouts, but at the same time they work on the skin in slightly different ways. You’ll find that both reach the lower layers of the epidermis, with retinol boosting collagen and elastin production, while salicylic acid fights clogged pores.

If you want to fight the signs of aging, retinol is the best ingredient to fight all of them. For all the issues related to acne and pimples, salicylic acid can easily get rid of pimples and the bacteria that cause them. Deciding which ingredient you prefer and which one is better for your skin depends on your personal preferences and the skin issues you want to treat.

That’s it, hopefully you now know a little more about whether you can use BHA with retinol. If you have any further questions, don’t forget to follow us on 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.
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