Can I use hyaluronic acid with retinol?
Do you want to hear good news?
You can certainly use hyaluronic acid with retinol, and you might be interested to know how many skin care experts consider this to be the best way to reap the benefits of both powerful ingredients.
Often, the drying side effects common with daily retinol use are offset by the moisturizing properties of hyaluronic acid. By using these two powerful ingredients together, you can fight signs of aging like fine lines and
fight 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 and 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?
A lot 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 the order of thinnest to thickest formula. For example, if your retinol is formulated as a moisturizer, you’ll want to use it after the hyaluronic acid in your serum. If you’re wondering how to best use this product, I recommend starting with retinol, followed by hyaluronic acid. This ensures that the retinol can penetrate into the lower layers of the skin, while the moisturizing properties of hyaluronic acid can reduce its drying effects and replenish the skin with moisture. What not to take 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 skin ingredients. However, some formulas, especially those known to be harmful to the skin, such as alcohol, fragrances, and high concentrations of powerful skin care ingredients, are not suitable. By avoiding these, you can ensure that your hyaluronic acid-rich products will perform optimally without interruption. For more information on hyaluronic acid, see our dedicated blog post.
What products should not be mixed with retinol?
The main ingredients of this mixture 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, it is thought that vitamin C is best taken in the morning to combat free radical stress due to its powerful antioxidant properties.
You can then use retinol in your evening routine to repair and rejuvenate your skin while undoing the damage that has already been done to it.
AHAs and BHAs work on the outer surface of the skin, shedding layers of dead skin cells and debris. Using retinol can over-irritate the skin, leading to irritation, dryness, and discomfort.
To prevent this from happening, I recommend using an AHA/BHA in an exfoliating toner and then using retinol in your daily routine once the acids have been absorbed into the skin and the pH has rebalanced.
If you use benzoyl peroxide with retinol, you will find that they cancel each other out. Therefore, it is best not to alternate days between using these ingredients.
If you want to learn more about retinol and its skincare benefits, you can find more information on Beauty Insiders, so be sure to check it out.
Should retinol be used before or after moisturizer?
As I mentioned before, a lot depends on the retinol formula. However, there is nothing wrong with mixing retinol with a moisturizer, especially if it contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
If you are using it alone, it is best to use a moisturizer after a retinol treatment. They ensure that moisture is retained without interfering with the powerful properties of retinol, which speed up the skin’s cell renewal cycle and keep
your skin fresh, youthful, and elastic.
How long should you wait after using retinol before applying a moisturizer? Ideally, you should wait at least 20 minutes after a retinol treatment before applying a moisturizer. This is considered the best time to ensure that the skin
absorbs the most effective form of vitamin A and restores the skin’s natural pH to balance.
This is an important step to remember because skin irritation or allergic reactions are often the result of an imbalanced pH when products with different pH levels are layered too quickly. In what order should
hyaluronic acid be used?
Hyaluronic acid is commonly found in skincare products that you use on a daily basis, such as serums, moisturizers, and face oils. Follow the skincare rule I mentioned earlier: thin to thick. This essentially means using hyaluronic acid later in your skincare routine. If you want to get the best results from HA products, I’ll give you a tip: use your serum first, then your moisturizer, as the water in the formula will help hydrate your complexion.
If you want to learn more about the best ways to use hyaluronic acid (especially with active ingredients like retinol), you should definitely read this blog post.
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.
