Many skincare enthusiasts are curious about how to combine active ingredients for optimal results. While there are numerous effective combinations, certain potent ingredients can cause irritation when layered, and it’s important to know which ones to avoid using together.
So, can mandelic acid and retinol be used in the same routine? Let’s break down how these two ingredients work on the skin and whether they can be used together safely.
What is Mandelic Acid?
Mandelic acid, a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), is derived from bitter almonds and is renowned for its gentle exfoliating properties. It’s often recommended for those with sensitive skin due to its larger molecular size, which prevents it from penetrating too deeply and causing irritation.
Hyperpigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone: Mandelic acid is effective at reducing dark spots, melasma, sun damage, and other pigmentation issues, resulting in a more even complexion.
Acne Control: It helps clear clogged pores, dissolves blackheads, and regulates oil production, making it useful for managing acne flare-ups.
Anti-Aging: By removing dead skin cells, mandelic acid can diminish the appearance of fine lines, improve skin elasticity, and leave the skin looking firmer.
Compatibility: It works well with other skincare ingredients when used appropriately, making it easy to incorporate into a routine.
For a deeper dive into mandelic acid, check out our dedicated blog post.
What is Retinol?
Retinol, a potent form of vitamin A, is one of the most effective ingredients in skincare. It accelerates skin cell turnover, helping to shed dead skin cells and reveal smoother, brighter skin.
Cell Turnover: Retinol speeds up the natural exfoliation process, revealing fresher, younger-looking skin.
Collagen Boost: It stimulates collagen and elastin production, resulting in firmer, more plump skin.
Anti-Aging: Retinol helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and minimizes enlarged pores.
Hyperpigmentation: It can reduce signs of sun damage, dark spots, and discoloration, helping to create a more uniform complexion.
For more information on how retinol benefits the skin, visit our detailed post.
Can You Use Mandelic Acid and Retinol Together?
While both mandelic acid and retinol offer impressive benefits, combining them in the same skincare routine can be tricky. These ingredients are both exfoliating, and when used together, they can over-exfoliate the skin, leading to irritation, redness, or dryness.
Over-exfoliating can strip the skin of its natural oils, weakening the skin’s protective barrier. As a result, the skin may produce excess oil in response, which could trigger acne or other skin concerns. To avoid this, here are some tips for using mandelic acid and retinol together:
Alternate Usage: To minimize the risk of irritation, use mandelic acid and retinol on different days or in separate routines (mandelic acid during the day, retinol at night).
Wait Between Applications: If using both in one routine, wait about 10 to 15 minutes between applying each product. This allows the skin’s pH to reset and reduces the chance of irritation.
Consult a Professional: If you’re unsure about how to layer these ingredients, it’s always wise to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional.
What Should You Avoid Mixing with Mandelic Acid?
Even though mandelic acid is one of the gentler AHAs, it should not be mixed with other strong exfoliants or potent active ingredients, especially retinol. Using these ingredients together could lead to an overstimulated skin barrier and cause irritation or dryness.
To keep your skin in balance, consider the following approaches:
Alternate Acids: If your routine includes several acids, alternate their use throughout the week to avoid irritation. This ensures your skin stays radiant without being overwhelmed by exfoliation.
Different Times of Day: Use mandelic acid during the day and reserve retinol for your evening routine. This separation gives your skin a chance to recover between uses.
Timing: Leave a few minutes between applying each active to allow your skin’s pH to return to normal before moving on to the next product.
Can You Use Acids and Retinol Together?
Yes, you can combine acids (such as AHAs or BHAs) with retinol, but only if you apply them properly. Research shows that using acids and retinol simultaneously can reduce their effectiveness. To get the best results from both, use them at different times of the day or alternate their use in your routine.
In addition, always pair these active ingredients with hydrating products such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or vitamin E. These ingredients help maintain the skin’s moisture balance and strengthen the skin barrier, which is crucial when using exfoliating actives.
Can I Use Mandelic Acid Every Day?
Yes, mandelic acid can be used daily, but it depends on the concentration and form of the product. If you’re using a low-concentration formula, such as a cleanser or face wash, it’s safe to use daily since the product is rinsed off and won’t remain on the skin long enough to cause irritation.
For serums or toners with higher concentrations of mandelic acid, start by using them every other day to build your skin’s tolerance. This helps prevent irritation while still reaping the benefits.
And remember, whether you use mandelic acid daily or a few times a week, always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin from UV damage, as exfoliating acids can increase sun sensitivity.
Conclusion
Mandelic acid and retinol are both highly effective in treating various skin concerns, but using them together requires care. The best approach is to alternate their use, apply them at different times of day, and always give your skin time to adjust between applications. With proper use, both ingredients can help you achieve smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin.
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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.
