Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser with retinol?
Salicylic acid and retinol are two highly effective and impressive skincare ingredients that deliver impressive and effective skin results. What’s the downside? They’re both very effective, but can lead to some negative side effects such as severe skin dryness, irritation, and allergic reactions if not used correctly.
Well, the thing is, I don’t blame you if you want to incorporate these powerful ingredients into your daily routine. Especially if you’re acne-prone and have frequent breakouts. But how exactly can you use them together to reap the benefits while avoiding unnecessary skin irritation? Stay tuned, because today we’re going to explore whether or not you can use a salicylic acid cleanser with retinol.
How soon after using salicylic acid can you use retinol?
As I mentioned earlier, using salicylic acid and retinol at the same time can be a recipe for disaster. Therefore, it’s important to apply them in the correct order and leave enough time between applications to avoid adverse reactions.
Generally speaking, if you use a cleanser with salicylic acid, it’s best to wait about 30 minutes before applying a retinol product. This is considered the best time to ensure that the BHA sloughs off dead skin cells, dirt, debris, and impurities. Additionally, the pH of your skin can be rebalanced so that you can apply your retinol. Although it may be tempting to use two serums containing salicylic acid and retinol, I advise against it as they are too harsh on the skin.
Remember that you need to do a 24-hour patch test before using any new skincare product. If there are no signs of redness or rash, you can apply the product to your face.
What cleansers can be used with retinol?
When choosing the best cleanser with retinol, choose a gentle, non-foaming formula that will keep your skin clean without stripping it of the important oils it needs to stay healthy and balanced. Choose a formula with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or lactic acid as they can work effectively with retinol without causing side effects. If your skin is oily and prone to breakouts, salicylic acid may be a better choice for your cleanser.
The great thing about cleansers is that, unlike serums and moisturizers, they don’t stay on the surface of your skin for long as they are rinsed off. This makes them practical products if you want to use more potent ingredients like salicylic acid while avoiding dryness or irritation. If you’re concerned about introducing new products into your routine, consult with your doctor or dermatologist to make sure you’re using a formula that’s best for you and your skin.
Is it OK to use a salicylic acid cleanser with tretinoin?
No, it’s best to avoid products containing salicylic acid and tretinoin altogether. Unless your doctor instructs you otherwise, you should use tretinoin as directed by your doctor until all signs of acne or breakouts are gone, even if you feel your skin can tolerate the combination of these powerful ingredients.
If you want to learn more about tretinoin, read our dedicated blog post on the benefits you can expect.
How to Integrate Salicylic Acid and Retinol?
The most effective way to incorporate salicylic acid and retinol into your daily skincare routine is to alternate applying them to your face. For example, if you use a salicylic acid cleanser, you can use it in the morning and then apply retinol over it in the evening. If you prefer to use a serum rich in salicylic acid, you can use it in the evenings when you’re not using retinol.
This may seem a bit challenging and complicated, but once you get the hang of it, you will reap the rewards and have an all-around improved complexion, perfect clarity, and youthful bounce.
Can you use salicylic acid and retinol in the same routine?
In a word: no. Both skincare ingredients work really well when used alone, but the combination is too harsh on the skin. This strips the skin of sebum (the natural oil in the skin), drying it out and causing excess sebum production over time. This imbalance can lead to frequent breakouts, enlarged pores, and other skincare products that don’t work optimally.
If you want to use salicylic acid and retinol in the same routine, follow the advice I suggested in the previous section and alternate between them.
Can you use salicylic acid in the morning?
Of course, salicylic acid is beneficial to use in the morning and evening, especially if your skin type is oily and prone to persistent acne and breakouts. Since it is one of the most commonly used BHAs, it can penetrate deep into the lower layers of the skin and open up the pores. Another benefit is its ability to exfoliate the surface of the skin, removing dead skin cells, impurities, and dirt. This causes new skin cells to appear, giving you a radiant, healthy complexion. Don’t forget to apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day to protect sensitive skin cells from UV damage.
If you want to learn more details about these two ingredients, you can read two blog posts to better understand how salicylic acid and retinol work on the skin. You can also find more information in the Skin School section of our website.
Don’t forget: If you have any skin care questions, you can follow us on Procoal’s Instagram.
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.