Can You Layer Peptides and Retinol?
It’s easy to consider layering skincare as an easy task when you have a vague understanding. If you are new to all thing’s beauty, then the thought of layering skincare products, especially if they go by the name of as unusual as peptides and retinol, can feel very daunting. But don’t panic, things will make a lot more sense after today’s blog post, so let’s dive in and find out can you layer peptides and retinol.
Before we get started, here is a brief recap of the skincare benefits of peptides and retinol and the results you can expect to see.
What are the skincare benefits of peptides?
Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Helps to strengthen the skin barrier
Provides anti-inflammatory properties in the skin
Helps make the skin feel and look firmer
Boosts the production of collagen
Repairs damage caused to the skin barrier
What are the skincare benefits of retinol?
Combats signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles
Brightens the complexion giving an all over glow
Regulates oily skin types
Reduces the frequency of breakouts and acne
Fades the pigmentation of dark spots and hyperpigmentation
Can you use peptides and retinol together?
Yes, indeed you can, using peptides and retinol together is something that needs some careful time and consideration due to the high potency of these two ingredients. Many skin experts believe as effective as peptides are for the skin, they tend to penetrate too far into the lower layers. This is something that can help many of those with oily or combination skin types, but those with a dry or sensitive skin it can lead to skin irritation and severe dryness.
If you are unsure about using peptides and retinol together, you can alternate when you apply each of these ingredients, ideally leaving retinol for your evening routine due to any UV exposure leaves the potent vitamin A useless and ineffective at delivering its results. If you are wanting to know more about using peptides and retinol together, check out our dedicated blog post.
What goes on first peptides or retinol?
If you are deciding to layer peptides and retinols together then applying retinol first would give you optimal results. This will give your skin the chance to reap the rewards of many benefits provided by retinol followed with the nourishment of peptides. This will counteract any over-drying of the skin and keep the protective barrier fully functioning.
If you are using both ingredients separately then it is best to apply peptides during your morning routine and retinol in the evening. This is not only because retinol needs to be applied overnight, but also because our skin has a daily circadian rhythm, meaning its needs change between AM and PM every 24 hours. For the morning your skin needs a helping hand in protecting itself from exposure to UV rays, pollution, and other free radicals, whereas the evening requires help repairing already existing damage.
Can you use peptides in the morning and retinol at night?
Absolutely, by using peptides in the morning and retinol at night you are ensuring your skin gains the best results from each of these powerhouses. Even if you have built the tolerance towards the potency of retinol, you can still unintentionally cause the skin to become irritated. By using peptides in the morning, you are giving your skin a boost in nourishment whilst ensuring the peptides can kick start the collagen production. You are then able to repair damage caused from any exposure to free radicals throughout the day. If I could add a brief side note, retinol can cause an increase in your skin’s photosensitivity so ensuring you apply a daily SPF of 30 and above, even on days that are cloudy and raining. Are peptides good for wrinkles? Yes, peptides are very effective at reducing wrinkles. Peptides are short chains of amino acids and are able to form building blocks of collagen and elastin in the lower layers of the skin. When applied topically onto the skin in serum or moisturiser formulations the peptides are able to act as messengers ensuring the compounds of collagen are stimulated to create more. This then results in the skin looking firmer and feeling tighter with a youthful bounce and healthy complexion. What can you combine with peptides? Although peptides are generally considered highly effective and are easily tolerated by other skin ingredients, it is considered best to avoid using vitamin C in conjunction with peptides. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that delivers several results, from reducing hyperpigmentation and dark spots, it is also able to combat fine lines and wrinkles. The trouble with mixing it with peptides is the fact they cancel each other out rendering each of them useless on the skin, and in some cases can often cause irritation and dryness. Can you layer serums over retinol? Yes and no, this is because the consistency of the product enriched in retinol plays an important role. As a general skin rule the best way of layering skincare products is from thinnest to thickest. With serums often formulated as a lightweight, water or gel like consistency they tend to absorb into the skin rapidly allowing you to apply thicker moisturisers and oils on top. When it comes to retinol formulations you will find that it comes in serums, face oils and moisturisers which are applied towards the final steps of your routine. If you wanted my opinion, I would suggest using two serums, one enriched in retinol and another in hyaluronic acid. This will ensure you avoid any severe skin dryness or irritation, but still benefit from the skin renewal properties of retinol. There you have a little more information about how you can layer peptides and retinol, don’t forget if skin is your thing you can find more over on the Procoal Instagram so come and give us a follow.
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.
