Can I use hyaluronic acid with retinol?
Would you like to hear the good news? You can certainly use hyaluronic acid with retinol, and you might be interested to know how many skincare experts consider this to be the best way to reap the benefits of both powerful ingredients.
The drying side effects that often occur when using retinol in your daily routine are often counteracted due to hyaluronic acid’s moisturizing properties. By using these two powerful ingredients together, you can combat signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, as well as skin damage caused by exposure to free radicals such as pollution, UVB/UVA rays, and central heating.
Now that you know a little more about using hyaluronic acid with retinol, let’s take a closer look at exactly what you can expect when you combine these impressive powerhouses together.
Which came first, hyaluronic acid or retinol?
This largely depends on the formulation of the products that contain each ingredient. Because to get the best results from your skincare routine, you need to apply the products in a formula that works from thinnest to thickest. For example, if your retinol is formulated in a moisturizer, you need to apply it after the hyaluronic acid (if it’s in a serum).
If you want my advice on the best way to use the product, I recommend applying retinol first and then hyaluronic acid. This ensures that the retinol can be absorbed into the lower layers of the skin, while the moisturizing properties of hyaluronic acid reduce its drying effects, providing moisture to the skin.
What shouldn’t be taken with hyaluronic acid?
The beauty of hyaluronic acid is that it can be used on almost all skin types and can be easily combined with other skincare ingredients. However, certain formulas, especially those known to be irritating to the skin, such as alcohol, fragrances, and high concentrations of powerful skincare ingredients, contain these ingredients, and you will want to ensure that the product infused with hyaluronic acid can fully function without this interference. For more information on hyaluronic acid, please refer to our dedicated blog post.
What products should not be mixed with retinol?
The key ingredients you should mix are vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA).
Avoid mixing vitamin C and retinol, as these ingredients are more effective at different times of the day. For example, since vitamin C has powerful antioxidant effects, it’s best to use it in your morning routine to combat free radical exposure. Then, you can use retinol in your evening routine to repair and regenerate the skin while removing any damage that has already occurred to the skin.
AHAs and BHAs work on the outer surface of the skin, removing layers of dead skin cells and debris. Using retinol can over-irritate the skin, causing irritation, dryness, and discomfort. To prevent this from happening, I recommend using AHAs/BHAs in an exfoliating toner and using retinol in your routine after the skin has absorbed the acids and the pH has returned to balance.
When you use benzoyl peroxide with retinol, you’ll find that the two ingredients counteract each other. Therefore, it’s best not to alternate the days you use each ingredient.
If you want to learn more about retinol and its skincare benefits, check out Beauty Insiders for more information. Be sure to check it out.
Should retinol be used before or after moisturizer?
As I mentioned, this depends a lot on the formula of the retinol. However, there is nothing wrong with mixing retinol with a moisturizer, especially if it contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. If you want to use them separately, it is best to apply a moisturizer after retinol. This ensures that moisture is locked in without interfering with the effective properties of retinol, which speeds up the renewal cycle of skin cells and keeps your complexion fresh, youthful and bouncy.
How long should you wait after retinol before applying a moisturizer?
Ideally, wait at least 20 minutes after using retinol before applying a moisturizer. This is considered the best time to ensure that the skin fully absorbs the active form of vitamin A and rebalances the skin’s natural pH. This is an important step to remember because skin irritation or allergic reactions are often caused by pH imbalances when products with different pH levels are layered too quickly.
In what order should hyaluronic acid be applied?
You will often find hyaluronic acid in skincare products that are used later in your daily routine, such as serums, moisturizers, and face oils. Using the thinnest to thickest skincare rule I mentioned earlier, this basically means using hyaluronic acid in the later stages of your daily routine. One tip I would give if you want to get the best results from HA products is to use a serum and then follow with a moisturizer, as the water in the formula helps to hydrate your complexion.
If you want to learn more about the best ways to apply hyaluronic acid, especially with active ingredients like retinol, don’t forget to check out this blog post.
There you will find more information on whether you can use hyaluronic acid with retinol. I hope I’ve answered some of your questions, but if you have more, 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.
