Can Retin A and Hyaluronic Acid be used together?
Retinol and hyaluronic acid are undoubtedly two of the most impressive skincare ingredients out there, with impressive results and backed by a wealth of scientific research. It’s no wonder that many of us would like to combine these powerful ingredients, but the question is: can Retin A and Hyaluronic Acid be used together? That’s exactly what we’ll be taking a closer look at in today’s blog post, but before we get started, let’s quickly summarize what hyaluronic acid and Retin A do for your skin and what you can expect.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body and is responsible for keeping the skin, joints, and tissues hydrated and in their healthiest state.
When it comes to skincare formulas, hyaluronic acid is extracted from sugar cane and blended into a range of products to leave skin hydrated, plump, and radiant.
It works by drawing moisture from other skincare products to the facial area and trapping it in the skin. This strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and protects against exposure to free radicals such as pollution and UV rays, which can cause skin damage and other issues.
You’ll find hyaluronic acid is suitable for all skin types, including dry, sensitive skin. It’s also one of the few ingredients that can be combined with almost any other skincare product. Its hydrating effects on the skin mean it can counteract irritation caused by stronger ingredients.
For more information on hyaluronic acid, check out our dedicated blog post on hyaluronic acid and its skincare benefits.
What is Retin-A?
Retinoic acid, also known as tretinoin, is a potent form of vitamin A that is favoured by many to fight signs of ageing while treating acne.
Retin-A is often mistakenly referred to as an exfoliant, but it speeds up the skin’s natural cell renewal cycle. This removes dead skin cells from the skin, revealing fresh new skin underneath, leaving you with a radiant, vibrant complexion.
Signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles are combated, while loss of skin firmness is also addressed with the help of Retin-A, as it works in the lower layers of the skin to boost collagen production for a firmer, more youthful-looking face.
If you’d like to learn more about Retin-A and its skin benefits, you can find a dedicated blog post on The Beauty Insiders.
Can retinol cream and hyaluronic acid be used together?
Yes, you can definitely use hyaluronic acid and retinol cream together. You’ll often find multiple skincare products that have both ingredients in one formula. This is considered the easiest way to combine two powerful ingredients and reap the benefits as quickly as possible. However, there’s nothing wrong with using hyaluronic acid and retinol separately. Start with the retinol and let it absorb into the skin before applying the hyaluronic acid, as this will lock moisture into the skin’s surface and counteract the common drying side effects of using any form of vitamin A in your daily routine.
Which comes first, hyaluronic acid or tretinoin?
This largely depends on the type of product each ingredient is added to. A basic skin rule is to apply skincare products in order of consistency, from thinnest to thickest.
You’ll often find hyaluronic acid in serums and moisturizers that you apply to your face later in your skincare routine. Retin-A, for example, is often found in moisturizers and creams. Once you decide which product to use first, you’ll find that combining the two ingredients can lead to a brighter, more radiant complexion with minimal skin irritation or side effects.
I still recommend doing a 24-hour patch test before applying any ingredient or formula to your face. It’s the best way to avoid unnecessary irritation.
What is the difference between Hyaluronic Acid and Retin-A?
Although hyaluronic acid and Retin-A work in the same way, they work very differently on the skin. The easiest way to remember the difference is to think of hyaluronic acid as a big glass of water for your skin. The hydrating properties of the acid keep water constantly absorbed into the skin and retained on the surface. This is where the skin’s protective barrier resides, and when that barrier weakens, it can lead to skin damage such as: B. Sun-induced hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles caused by pollution, and many other environmental aggressors that cause long-term damage to the skin.
Does hyaluronic acid make wrinkles worse?
Not really, but you can have too much of a good thing. What I mean by that is that using large amounts of hyaluronic acid can cause moisture to be sucked out of the lower layers of the skin. This can have a general drying effect on the skin, and over time, fine lines and wrinkles can become more noticeable and often appear deeper than they really are.
To combat this, I recommend stopping the use of hyaluronic acid for a few days to allow the skin to rebalance. You should then reintroduce the acid and apply an appropriate amount to your face, which will help keep your skin hydrated, plump, and healthy.
Here’s more information on whether you can use Retin-A and hyaluronic acid together. If you have any other skin care questions, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram. You can reach me via private message. I look forward to seeing you there!
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.