Can you use Glycolic Acid AM and Retinol PM?
As the years go by, it often feels that skincare routines are becoming more complicated. With multiple products containing a vast amount of active ingredients, some you may be familiar with, others you may have trouble pronouncing, let alone heard of before.
The good news is, once you have a better understanding of how these ingredients work together, the more confident you’ll be when applying them. So, don’t panic, as by the end of today’s blog post you’ll have a better understanding of how you can use glycolic acid in AM and retinol PM. You ready? Let’s get stuck in and find out more.
Can I use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night?
Absolutely, using glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night is considered the most effective way of using these potent actives in your daily skincare regime.
You’ll find that the most common product formulas you’ll find glycolic acid in are face cleansers, exfoliating toners, and serums. With this variety you’ll no doubt find a product that fits into your routine and delivers results. You’ll also find that you are able to use glycolic acid twice a day, especially if your skin is prone to be oily and experience frequent breakouts. However, apply with caution if you are using retinol during your evening skincare routine as this mixture can be too drying for the skin.
The reason retinol should only be used at night is due to the ingredient being photosensitive and any exposure to UV rays will make it loose its potency and prevent it from performing to the best of its ability. You will also find that retinol is blended into formulas such as moisturisers and serums which remain on the skin for longer amount of time, compared to face cleansers that are rinsed off. Applying retinol in the evening to work uninterrupted by exposure to daily free radical damage whilst you sleep will result in a glowing, brighter, more youthful complexion.
Can you use glycolic acid and retinol on the same night?
Yes and no, the reason for this is because you must remember to leave enough time in between applications to allow the pH levels of the skin to rebalance. If you are wanting to use glycolic acid and retinol on the same night, the best way to benefit from this whilst avoiding irritation is to use the most suitable products. Here is an example of a nighttime routine that uses both glycolic acid and retinol.
Remove makeup with remover or micellar water
Cleanse the skin to remove any remaining traces of makeup and impurities
Soak a cotton disc with exfoliating toner enriched in glycolic acid
Whilst the skin is still damp apply a serum containing hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture
Follow this serum with another that includes retinol in its formulation
Finally, apply a moisturiser enriched in nourishing ingredients, such as vitamin E, to keep the skin barrier supple and hydrated.
By following this routine, or one similar ensures you have enough time for the glycolic acid to slough away dead skin cells and allows the pH levels of the skin to rebalance before your retinol product.
Should I use glycolic acid in the morning or night?
You can use glycolic acid in the morning and at night, just ensure you have performed a patch test for 24 hours to ensure your skin is happy with the formulation. If glycolic acid is a new ingredient in your routine, I would suggest introducing by using a product that doesn’t remain on the skin, such as cleanser or exfoliating toners. This will give the AHA an opportunity to benefit the skin surface without causing too much irritation.
Do and don’ts with retinol?
Retinol is one of the most complex and misunderstood skincare ingredients. It often has a cloud of mystery surrounding it which leads to many using it incorrectly, or just avoiding all together. Here are some of the do and don’ts when it comes to using retinol in your everyday skincare routine.
The Dos
Do use it only in the evenings
Do start slowly by only applying it once a week
Do take your time to build your skin’s tolerance
Do increase to applying it 2-3 times a week
Do go up in strength once your skin is accustomed to the potency
The Don’ts
Don’t use a high percentage before building the skin’s tolerance
Don’t layer on top of other potent ingredients such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid
Don’t forget to apply a SPF in the morning
Don’t continue to use if you are suffering from severe dryness, itching, and redness
There you have a brief rundown of how to use retinol, but if you are wanting to know more about this potent powerhouse, check out our blog post about retinol and its skincare benefits.
Can I use retinol in the morning? No, it is a huge no-no to use retinol in your morning regime. This is because exposure to UV rays makes retinol completely useless and the potency and effectiveness of the ingredient are jeopardised. You’ll find that using retinol in the morning will only be wasted effort, but overtime will weaken the skin’s protective barrier making it more susceptible to damage caused by free radicals, such as pollution, central heating, and other environmental aggressors. Can you mix BHA with retinol? Nope, absolutely not, it’s considered best to completely avoid mixing BHA with retinol. Salicylic acid is the most used BHA in various skincare formulas and is often favoured by those with an oily and acne-prone skin type. One of the main benefits of salicylic acid is the fact it’s oil soluble meaning it can penetrate far down into the lower layers of the skin and unclog the pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities. Because of this, you should not follow a product enriched with salicylic acid with a retinol as this will result in dryness, increased sensitivity, redness, and rashes. I hope that is clears up a few questions you have about glycolic acid and retinol. Don’t forget if you have any questions come and follow us on Instagram, you’ll find me in the direct messages!
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.
