Can I use hyaluronic acid with retinoids?
The good news is that the combination of hyaluronic acid and retinoids is a skincare match made in heaven. Although retinoids (another more potent form of retinol) are considered a rather difficult ingredient to use in skincare, they work well with hyaluronic acid. You’ll often find that the drying effects that occur when you first use retinol in your skincare routine are balanced and alleviated due to the hydrating effects of hyaluronic acid.
If you need a quick reminder of the skincare benefits that can come from using hyaluronic acid and retinol, you can check out our Skin School, which contains a collection of information on all of the most commonly used and popular skincare ingredients. Now let’s get started to learn more about whether or not you can use hyaluronic acid and retinoids.
Which came first, hyaluronic acid or retinol?
For the best results, people often consider using hyaluronic acid after retinol. This is due to the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid, which ensures that moisture around the face is absorbed from the atmosphere and trapped on the outer surface. This is also what happens when hyaluronic acid is applied to the skin. Making sure your skin’s protective barrier remains hydrated, plump, and moisturized not only protects against potential damage from free radicals like pollution and UV rays, but also prevents the drying effects of retinoids.
How to layer hyaluronic acid and retinol
Cleanse your skin from all traces of makeup and impurities.
Apply a retinol-rich product to clean skin.
Wait about 30 minutes between applications to ensure the retinol is fully absorbed into the skin.
Then apply a serum or moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid to your skin to lock in moisture on the surface of the skin.
When morning arrives, end your morning routine with an SPF 30 or higher.
If you want to learn more about the hyaluronic acid and retinol combination, you can read a dedicated blog post about it.
Is it OK to layer retinol and hyaluronic acid?
Absolutely! It is completely safe to layer retinol and hyaluronic acid. The combination of these ingredients is one of the most popular skin combinations because hyaluronic acid is very effective in helping to combat the side effects that occur when using retinol.
While these side effects are sure to happen to anyone using retinol and don’t usually last long, when you combine it with a clever moisturizer like hyaluronic acid, you’ll notice less irritation with dry, flaky and red patches.
What not to take with hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is undoubtedly one of the most versatile ingredients in skincare and can be combined with some of the most potent ingredients like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, certain forms of vitamin C and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid. All of these ingredients have impressive skin benefits, from even skin tone to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to improving complexion by improving skin firmness.
While incorporating hyaluronic acid into your daily skincare routine is both effective and simple, it’s still important to consult with your GP, dermatologist or medical professional to ensure you’re getting the benefits and avoiding unnecessary skin irritation.
What not to mix with retinol?
There are a number of powerful ingredients that should be avoided when mixing ingredients with retinol. These are vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide and acids like glycolic and salicylic acid.
You will find that mixing these ingredients will cause them to cancel each other out and become too harsh on the skin. You will often find that using retinol with these ingredients will cause important oils needed for the surface barrier to be removed. This can cause the skin to become irritated, dry and uncomfortable, weakening the skin’s protective barrier and leaving it vulnerable to potential skin damage.
If you would like to learn more about retinol, how it benefits the skin and what not to mix with it, read our dedicated blog post.
Can Hyaluronic Acid be used daily?
Yes you certainly can, in fact you can use hyaluronic acid twice a day in your skincare routine. Ideally, you should apply hyaluronic acid-rich products to clean, slightly damp skin so that the hydrating properties of the ingredient lock in extra moisture. You can then apply a moisturizer or facial oil as this will not only form a protective layer on the skin, but will also help the hyaluronic acid keep your complexion plump, hydrated and youthful throughout the day.
Can I use retinol every night?
This is not the case as retinol is an ingredient that works until the skin develops a tolerance. You’ll find that skincare formulas range from 0.25% to over 2% retinol if it’s medical or prescription standards. There’s nothing wrong with using retinol during the day, but exposure to UV rays can actually cause it to lose its effectiveness. That’s why nearly every skincare expert recommends using retinol only in your evening routine so that this powerful ingredient can work undisturbed while you get your beauty sleep.
All skincare ingredients work differently and have different effects on the skin. The best way to ensure you’re getting results is to do a 24-hour patch test before applying the product to your entire face. This will help you avoid redness, skin irritation, and flaking.
Here’s more information on using hyaluronic acid and retinol together. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram if you have any skincare questions.
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.