Can You Mix Retinol and AHA BHA?

Can You Mix Retinol and AHA BHA?

As you may already know, retinol, AHAs and BHAs are potent skin ingredients that over the years have made their way into our everyday routine. However, this hasn’t been an easy task, especially when it comes to introducing something as potent as retinol into your regime. The question we have though is, can you mix retinol with AHA and BHA? This could be something that can cause some potential drying side effects and irritation, but don’t panic, as this is something we will be covering in today’s blog and with any luck we will reducing any concerns you have about using these three powerhouse ingredients together.

If you are sat there wondering what exactly these ingredients do for the skin, you can check out the dedicated blog post we have about everything you need to know about them, so check those out to find out more.

What is retinol? And how does it work on the skin?

What are AHAs and BHAs?

Now, you’ve refreshed your knowledge of these clever formulas, let’s get stuck in!

Can you use AHA BHA and retinol together?

Yes and no, there is a strong divide between skincare experts about whether you can use retinol with AHAs and BHAs. Both sides do however recommend using these effective ingredients in your daily skincare routine, it’s just a case of establishing how they would fit in and finding the optimal time you can apply them.

The easiest way to incorporate these ingredients in your routine is to use products, such as exfoliating toners enriched with an AHA, like glycolic acid, or BHA, such as salicylic acid. You can then follow this in the evening with a retinol product, this allows enough time to pass in between applications to avoid any irritation or imbalance of the skin’s pH levels allowing it to correct itself.

If you have a dry skin type that is prone to increased sensitivity you should use these powerful acids and retinol with caution. This is because retinol and the most used BHA, salicylic acid requires you introduce them slowly into your regime. Begin by applying it once a week and then slowly increase the frequency overtime to every other night once the skin has built its tolerance.

Can you use retinol and AHA in the same week?

Yes, it’s absolutely fine to use AHA and retinol in the same week, just make sure you are using the products the correct way. It’s considered best to avoid layering AHAs, such as glycolic acid, with retinol. This is due to the high potency and exfoliating properties of the acid will strip the skin surface of the vital oil and water it needs to remain healthy.

The protective skin barrier plays an important role in maintaining the overall look and comfort of the complexion, when it lacks the correct levels of sebum (the natural oil found on the surface) and water its strength is depleted making it suspectable to skin damage caused from exposure to free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental aggressors.

Having said that, the skin benefits both AHAs and retinol provide also play an important role of keeping the complexion healthy. Therefore, when using them in your routine you must figure out the most effective way to reap the rewards without any unwanted skin irritation. There are a few different ways you can do this, here are some examples of the most popular.

Apply AHA and retinol at different times of the day

This allows you to benefit from the various skin results without causing too much disruption for the skin. Very few of us know that an imbalance in pH levels on the skin is often one of the main causes of skin irritation. Applying AHA enriched products in the morning and following this with retinol during your evening skincare routine allows enough time for the skin’s pH levels to rebalance and becomes fully absorbent.

Alternate the days of the week you apply each ingredient

Retinol is an ingredient that needs to be applied in the evening due to exposure to UV light making it lose its potency, rendering it useless on the skin. You will also find that retinoids should only be applied to the skin 3-4 times a week, this leaves you the option to use your an AHA product on the days you aren’t using retinol. This will result in your skin reaping the rewards of these powerhouse products whilst side stepping any skin reaction or negative side effects.

As I have already mentioned you skin type will also determine whether these ingredients are safe to use, so always check with a medical professional before applying any new formulas to your face.

Can you use retinol and salicylic acid together?

Combining retinol and salicylic acid can often lead to a skin drying disaster. When using them in your routine you need to give your skin enough time to build its tolerance. However, some skincare experts have expressed their concerns about layering salicylic acid and retinol together. Using two extremely potent ingredients together will be too much for the skin surface and will weaken the protective barrier resulting in the skin showing signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and areas of hyperpigmentation.

Here is an example of how to use salicylic acid and retinol in the most optimal way.

Clean the skin with a gentle, non-foaming cleanser

Soak a cotton disc with an exfoliating toner enriched in salicylic acid and sweep it around the face, avoiding the eye area

Whilst the skin is still slightly damp, apply a serum enriched in hyaluronic acid to lock moisture into the skin and counteract the drying effects of salicylic acid and retinol

Follow this with an eye cream, remembering to use your ring finger for application to avoid skin tugging

Apply another serum or face oil packed with retinol all over the skin avoiding the eyes and mouth

Lock extra nourishment into the skin with a rich moisturiser

Can I use BHA in the morning?

Yes, you can but many feel that because BHA, such as salicylic acid often increases the skin’s sensitivity to UV exposure leading to skin damage. This is why you’ll find many apply a BHA enriched product in the evening as this will allow the ingredient to work on the skin undisturbed whilst you sleep. Not forgetting to follow this with a daily SPF of 30 and above to keep the skin surface fully protected from further skin damage.

There you have a little more information about mixing retinol and AHA with BHA, don’t forget if you have any more skincare questions come and follow us on Instagram, you’ll find me in the direct messages, see 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.

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