Can I use hyaluronic acid with retinol and vitamin C?
While you can use hyaluronic acid with retinol and vitamin C, without a true understanding of how to use these powerful substances together, problems such as skin irritation, redness, and itching often occur.
With this in mind, I wanted to do further research and answer some of the questions we’ve received recently about using hyaluronic acid with retinol and vitamin C. So stick around and hopefully everything becomes a little clearer.
How do retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid work together?
When using these three skin heroes in your daily routine, it’s important to remember the best order of use to reap the benefits. To avoid adverse reactions, I recommend using vitamin C during your morning routine. Through this
The powerful antioxidant protects the surface of the skin from damage caused by free radicals, giving your complexion a radiant look.
You can then use retinol in your evening routine, as this will prevent you from being exposed to UV rays and render any form of retinoid useless. You can use hyaluronic acid twice a day. In fact, using hyaluronic acid with vitamin C and retinol reduces the risk of skin irritation, redness, and redness, which are common side effects of using vitamin C and retinol.
When you layer these ingredients in this way, you’ll find that your skin will benefit from faster results, and you’ll also know that you’re using each ingredient correctly. If you’re unsure about how to use these ingredients, it’s best to consult
with your doctor.
Which came first, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or retinol?
As mentioned before, apply vitamin C in the morning, retinol in the evening, and hyaluronic acid twice to get the most out of your routine. But there are things to consider about the consistency of the products, the correct order of skincare
is from thin to thick. Vitamin C is usually found in serums that are water-based and have a lighter texture, hyaluronic acid is found in thicker gels, and finally retinol, which comes in a serum, oil, or cream.
Should I use hyaluronic acid before or after retinol?
When using hyaluronic acid and retinol, it is thought that the best application starts with hyaluronic acid, as it regulates the water content of the outer surface of the skin’s natural barrier.
When this barrier is working properly, you will find that it fights free radical damage caused by exposure to factors such as pollution, central heating, UV rays and other environmental aggressors. You will also notice that the skin acts like a wet sponge, i.e. it absorbs other active ingredients quickly and effectively, giving you impressive results in less time.
Because the moisturizing effects of hyaluronic acid draw and bind water into the skin, you will also find that the drying and itching effects of retinol are less severe and the skin remains hydrated at all times.
Can Vitamin C and Retinol be used together? It is generally believed that taking Vitamin C and Retinol at the same time is not the best idea. Both ingredients have a drying effect on the skin, and overuse can lead to extremely dry, itchy and flaky skin.
To get the most out of these two powerful skincare heroes, it is best to alternate between applying them to your face: Vitamin C in the morning and Retinol in the evening. The benefit of applying Vitamin C in the morning is that your skin will be
glow. Using it in your evening routine can be quite a waste.
An important step to remember in your daily routine is to use a product with SPF 30+ every day, even on cloudy days. This is because retinol and vitamin C increase the skin’s sensitivity to light, making it more susceptible to UV damage such as hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Can I mix hyaluronic acid with retinol? Yes! A mixture of hyaluronic acid and retinol is a perfect combination for the skin. Retinol’s anti-aging and collagen-boosting properties fight fine lines, wrinkles, and signs of sagging skin, and it can do so more effectively with the help of hyaluronic acid. The skin’s ability to lock in moisture keeps the skin plump, hydrated, and full of youthful elasticity. This not only fights the dryness caused by strong retinol, but also ensures that your skin doesn’t become dehydrated, dry, and uncomfortable. Should retinol be used before or after serum? A lot depends on the consistency of the product you mix the retinol with. As mentioned earlier, the order of application of skincare products is from thin to thick. I’m talking about face washes, cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, essential oils, and sunscreens that you use during the day. Retinol is a powerful ingredient, but it’s notoriously fickle and difficult to mix with various skincare ingredients. Therefore, only different types of serums can be used. Formulas with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide are two effective moisturizers. Should hyaluronic acid be applied before or after moisturizer?
Applying a hyaluronic acid serum to the skin first hydrates the skin while also allowing the hyaluronic acid to attract moisture from facial and other skincare products.
When used with a moisturizer, hyaluronic acid creates a protective physical barrier on the outer surface of the skin, allowing any products underneath the moisturizer to work unhindered. You can also find hyaluronic acid in moisturizers to attract moisture.
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.
