Can Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid be used together?
Retinol and hyaluronic acid are undoubtedly two of the most impressive ingredients in skincare, with dramatic 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 the facial area in other skincare products 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 glowing, rejuvenated complexion.
Signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles are combated, while loss of skin firmness can also be 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 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 certainly 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 incorporated into. 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 apply first, you’ll find that the combination of the two ingredients can result in a brighter, more radiant complexion with minimal irritation or side effects to your skin.
I still recommend doing a 24-hour patch test before applying any ingredient or formula to your face. This is 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 this 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 this 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 a moderate amount to your face to 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 find me via private message. I look forward to seeing you there!
