Can Retinol and AHA BHAs be mixed?
As you may already know, Retinol, AHAs, and BHAs are powerful skin ingredients that have been incorporated into our daily lives for years. However, it is not an easy task, especially when introducing something as powerful as Retinol into your daily life. However, our question is: Can Retinol be mixed with AHAs and BHAs? This can lead to possible drying side effects and irritation, but don’t panic because this is what we will cover in today’s blog and with any luck, we can alleviate your concerns about using these three powerful ingredients at the same time.
If you are wondering what exactly these ingredients do for your skin, you can check out our dedicated blog post with everything you need to know about them. So read on to find out more.
What is Retinol? How does it work on the skin?
What are AHAs and BHAs?
Now that you have brushed up on your knowledge of these clever formulas, let’s get started!
Can AHAs, BHAs, and Retinol be used together?
Yes or no, there is a lot of disagreement among skin care experts as to whether Retinol can be used with AHAs and BHAs. However, both sites recommend using these powerful ingredients in your daily skincare routine. It’s just a matter of figuring out how they fit together and finding the best time to use them.
The easiest way to incorporate these ingredients into your daily routine is to use a product rich in AHAs (like glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid), such as an exfoliating toner. You can then use a retinol product at night. This allows enough time between uses to avoid irritation or imbalances in your skin’s pH, allowing your skin to regulate itself.
If you have a skin type that tends to get sensitive, you should be cautious with these powerful acids and retinols. This is because retinol and the most commonly used BHA (salicylic acid) need to be introduced slowly into your skincare routine. Start with weekly use and then slowly increase the frequency to every other night once your skin has developed the proper tolerance.
Can you use retinol and AHAs in the same week?
Yes, it is absolutely fine to use AHAs and retinols in the same week. Just make sure you use the products correctly. It is thought to be best to avoid using AHAs like glycolic acid in a layer with retinol. This is because the high potency and exfoliating properties of this acid strip the skin’s surface of important oils and moisture that it needs to stay healthy.
The protective skin barrier plays an important role in maintaining the overall appearance and health of your complexion. When the skin lacks the right amount of sebum (the natural oil on the surface) and water, its strength weakens, making it susceptible to skin damage caused by exposure to free radicals such as pollution, UV rays, and other environmental aggressors.
However, the benefits of AHAs and retinols for the skin also play an important role in maintaining a healthy complexion. Therefore, when using them on a daily basis, you need to find the most effective way to reap the benefits without irritating the skin. There are a variety of ways to do this, and here are some of the most popular examples.
Apply AHAs and retinols at different times of the day
This allows you to benefit from different skin effects without causing too much damage to the skin. Little do we know that an imbalanced skin pH is often the main cause of skin irritation. Using a product with AHAs in the morning and then using retinol in your evening skincare routine will give the skin enough time to rebalance the pH and fully absorb.
Alternate the use of each ingredient each week
Retinol is an ingredient that must be used at night, as exposure to UV rays causes it to lose its effectiveness and become unusable on the skin. You will also find that retinoids can only be applied to the skin 3-4 times per week. This gives you the option of using AHA products on days when you are not using retinol. This means that your skin benefits from these powerful products and avoids skin reactions or negative side effects.
As I mentioned before, your skin type will also determine whether these ingredients are safe to use. Therefore, always consult your doctor before applying a new formula to your face.
Can retinol and salicylic acid be used together?
The combination of retinol and salicylic acid often results in catastrophic drying of the skin. You need to give your skin enough time to build up tolerance when using them in your daily life. However, some skin care experts have expressed concerns about using salicylic acid and retinol at the same time. Using two extremely powerful ingredients at the same time is too much for the surface of the skin and weakens the protective barrier. This can lead to signs of aging on the skin, such as fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and areas of hyperpigmentation.
Below are some examples of the best uses for salicylic acid and retinol.
Cleanse your skin with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser.
Soak a cotton pad with an exfoliating toner rich in salicylic acid and wipe it over your face, avoiding the eye area.
While your skin is still slightly damp, apply a serum rich in hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and counteract the drying effects of salicylic acid and retinol.
Then apply your eye cream. Remember to apply with your ring finger to avoid pulling your skin.
Apply another serum or facial oil with retinol all over your skin, avoiding your eyes and mouth.
Use a rich moisturizer to bind extra nutrients into your skin.
Can you use BHAs in the morning?
Yes, you can, but many people believe that BHAs, such as B. salicylic acid, often increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV radiation, leading to skin damage. This is why many people use BHA-rich products at night, as this allows the ingredient to work on your skin undisturbed while you sleep. Don’t forget to apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day afterwards to fully protect the skin’s surface from further skin damage.
Here’s more information on mixing retinol, AHAs, and BHAs. If you have any other skin care questions, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram. You can reach me via DM. See you there!
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.
