Can Retinol and Alpha-Arbutin be used together?
In today’s blog post, we explore two powerful ingredients that both offer impressive skin benefits. If you’re a skincare fanatic by now, you know that retinol is a difficult ingredient to incorporate into your daily routine. With that in mind, using other ingredients on your skin at the same time can often be a little daunting.
With any luck, today we’ll delve a little deeper and learn more about retinol and alpha-arbutin, and whether using them together will improve your complexion, or if you should avoid them altogether. First, let’s quickly review each ingredient and the benefits you can expect from using them in your daily routine.
What Does Retinol Do for Skin?
As a potent form of vitamin A, retinol can deliver impressive results for the skin, especially when targeting issues with frequent breakouts or premature signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. It’s often mistakenly believed that retinol has the same exfoliating properties as chemical peels like glycolic and salicylic acid. Instead of shedding dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, retinol promotes skin cell turnover and brings fresh, new skin cells to the surface of the skin, resulting in a radiant, youthful complexion.
You’ll also find that retinol works beneath the skin’s layers to boost collagen and elastin production, improving skin and reversing signs of sagging.
In addition, retinol combats uneven skin tone, ensuring areas of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, sun damage, and acne scars fade and become less noticeable to the naked eye.
What does alpha arbutin do for the skin?
Alpha-arbutin is known as a powerful brightening ingredient that can help combat the appearance of hyperpigmentation and prevent further damage to the skin’s surface.
Alpha-arbutin from bearberry extract is found in a variety of skincare formulas to regulate melanin production, or skin pigmentation. Serums, lotions, and moisturizers are the most common products that contain alpha-arbutin, often in combination with other active ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid, and niacinamide. People often think that these ingredients alone are difficult to combine with other powerful active ingredients, but this just goes to show how easy it is to combine alpha-arbutin with other skincare ingredients.
Can retinol and alpha-arbutin be used together?
Yes, absolutely! This may surprise you, considering how effective both ingredients are. There are a few reasons why using retinol and alpha-arbutin together can be effective, primarily because you can easily incorporate alpha-arbutin into your daily routine without having to worry about it causing irritation or reactions on your skin. Another reason is that each ingredient works on different parts of the skin, so they can work without competition.
While these two powerful ingredients are very effective in improving overall skin tone and skin health, it is important to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before applying any new ingredients to your face. Once you have decided which product you want to use, I also recommend doing a 24-hour patch test before applying it directly to your face so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.
What Not to Mix with Retinol?
There are some skincare ingredients that you should avoid when using retinol, such as vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. This is because it is often believed that using retinol with these exfoliating ingredients can be too much for the skin, causing it to lose important oils it needs for a healthy protective barrier, thus weakening the damage caused by free radicals.
However, this does not mean that you should not use the above ingredients at all. Instead, choose to apply at different times of the day or on alternate days to avoid applying on the same day as a retinol product. When you use active ingredients in this way, you can reap the benefits while avoiding any negative side effects. If you want to learn more about what not to mix with retinol, read our dedicated blog post on the subject.
Can I use niacinamide with alpha-arbutin and retinol?
Yes, you can. Using all three ingredients ensures that your complexion remains healthy and balanced, and the common drying side effects of retinol are offset by the skin hydration benefits of niacinamide. The best way to use niacinamide with alpha-arbutin and retinol is to make sure you use them at the best times of the day. Example:
You can use niacinamide twice a day, morning and night, on your face. The hydrating properties of the active ingredient draw water into the skin and lock it in place.
This combats the drying effects of retinol and strengthens the skin barrier.
You can also use alpha arbutin twice daily. However, make sure to allow enough time before using retinol in the evening.
Lastly, retinol should only be used at night as it is sun-sensitive and becomes unusable when exposed to UV radiation.
If you want to learn more about using niacinamide with alpha-arbutin, check out this blog post which goes into more detail about how these ingredients work together.
Does alpha arbutin help with hyperpigmentation?
Yes, if anything, it is touted as one of the most effective ingredients for fighting hyperpigmentation. Alpha-arbutin has the ability to regulate the production of melanin in the skin, which can help target all signs of pigmentation, from dark spots, age spots, sun damage, to areas of hyperpigmentation. Over time, you will notice that the pigment fades and your overall skin tone appears more even. The advantage of alpha-arbutin as a skin lightening ingredient is that it does not make the skin more sensitive to sun exposure, which means it is a great product for year-round use. I still recommend wearing an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily to protect your skin from potential or further sun damage.
I hope that today we’ve answered some of your questions about using retinol and alpha-arbutin together. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and reach me via direct message if you have any additional questions.
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.