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 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.
