Can I use Hyaluronic Acid with Retinol?
Want to hear the good news? You certainly can use hyaluronic acid with retinol, and you may be interested to hear how many skincare experts say it’s the best way of reaping the rewards of both these powerhouse ingredients.
Quite often the drying side effects that regularly occur when using retinol in your routine are counteracted thanks to the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid. By using these two powerful ingredients together you are able to target signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as any skin damage that have occurred from exposure to free radicals, such as pollution, UVB/UVA rays, and central heating.
So, now you have a little more clarity about using hyaluronic acid with retinol, let’s investigate further to see exactly what you can expect to see when you team these impressive, powerhouse ingredients together.
What goes first hyaluronic acid or retinol?
This is very much dependant on the product formula containing each ingredient. This is because to gain the best results from your skincare routine you need to apply your products starting with the thinnest to the thickest formulas. For example, if your retinol is formulated into a moisturiser, it would need to be applied after your hyaluronic acid if it is in a serum.
If you are wanting my advice on the best way of applying your products, I would suggest aiming to apply retinol first, followed by hyaluronic acid. This ensures the retinol is able to absorb into the lower layers of the skin whilst having its drying effects reduced by the humectant properties of hyaluronic acid giving the skin a hydrated boost.
What can you not mix with hyaluronic acid?
The beauty of hyaluronic acid is the fact it can be used on almost all skin types as well as teaming it easily with other skin ingredients. However, some formulas, especially those that are known for being harsh on the skin, such as alcohol, fragrance, and high concentrates of potent skincare ingredients. By avoiding these you are ensuring your hyaluronic acid enriched products are able to perform to the best of their abilities without the disruption that can occur. You can find out more about hyaluronic acid over on our dedicated blog post.
What products should you not mix with retinol?
The main ingredients that you should mix are vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide and chemical exfoliants such as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA).
Avoid layering vitamin C and retinol together as each of these ingredients are more effective at different parts of the day. For example, with the potent antioxidant benefits of vitamin C it is considered best to apply it during your morning routine to help combat exposure to free radicals. You can then use retinol during your evening routine to repair and rejuvenate the skin whilst reversing any damage already caused to the skin.
As for AHAs and BHAs they work on the outer surface of the skin, sloughing away the layer of dead skin cells and debris. By using retinol, you are likely to overstimulate the skin causing a flare-up in irritation, dryness, and discomfort. To prevent this, I would suggest using your AHA/BHA in an exfoliating toner and using retinol later in your routine once the acids have absorbed into the skin and the pH level have rebalanced.
Finally, if you apply benzoyl peroxide with retinol you will find you end up with them cancelling each other out. This therefore means it’s best not to alternate the days when you use each of these ingredients.
If you are wanting to know more about retinol and its skincare benefits, there is more information over on the Beauty Insiders, so do go and check that out.
Does retinol go on before or after moisturiser?
As I have already mentioned, this is very much dependant on the formula your retinol is in. Having said that, there’s nothing stopping you from mixing your retinol with your moisturiser, especially if it contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. If you are wanting to use them separately then it would be considered best to apply your moisturiser after your retinol. You’ll ensure that moisture is locked into place without preventing the potent properties of retinol from working at speeding up the skin cell renewal cycle keeping the complexion looking fresh, youthful, and full of bounce.
How long should you wait to apply moisturiser after retinol?
Ideally you need to wait around at least 20 minutes before applying your moisturiser after your retinol. This is considered the best amount of time to ensure the skin has fully absorbed the potent form of vitamin A and allowed the skin’s natural pH levels rebalance. This is an important step to remember as quite often skin irritation or allergic reaction are a result of pH imbalance with products with different pH levels being layered on top of each other too quickly.
What order should you use hyaluronic acid?
You’ll find that hyaluronic acid is often formulated into skincare products that are applied in the later stages of your routine, such as serums, moisturiser, and face oils. With the skincare rule I have previously mentioned of applying products from thinnest to thickest, this basically means hyaluronic acid is used in the later stages of your routine. One tip I would say if you were wanting the best results from your HA product is using a serum and follow it with a moisturiser as the water content in the formula will help give the complexion a boost in hydration.
If you are wanting to know more about the best way of layering hyaluronic acid, especially if potent ingredients like retinol, don’t forget to check out this blog post.
There you have a little more information about whether you can use hyaluronic acid with retinol. I hope I have cleared up a few of your questions, but if you have any more come and 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.
