Can You Use Retinol with Ferulic Acid?
There are a few skincare mixing lessons amongst our blog posts, and today is another to add to the collection. Before we get started, I wanted to say that even the most experienced skincare fan can often become muddled with the ever-expanding selection of ingredients, especially if they have impossible names to pronounce.
It isn’t just the names throwing us off a little, you’ll find that with modern day technology, skincare formulations are more advanced than ever before. This results in consideration having to be taken when layering ingredients. It’s no longer a case of applying thinnest to thickest consistency, but to also focus on the actives themselves and how they can be work together. So, hold fire before you slather your skin with the latest trending “it” ingredient, as it may not play ball with your existing routine, even if you apply it in the correct order. Don’t worry for a second longer, as this is something we will be covering in today’s blog, so stick around to find out more about using retinol with ferulic acid.
This next section is going to be a brief recap of how these ingredients work on the skin and the benefits they deliver. If this is something you are feeling quite confident about, you can skip to the next part.
What is ferulic acid?
Ferulic acid is an antioxidant found mainly in anti-ageing skincare products as well as supplements and naturally occurring in certain foods such as oats, rice, eggplant, and bran. Not only does ferulic acid work at warding off damage caused from exposure to free radicals, such as UV light, central heating, and pollution, but it also contains an effective ability to boost how effective other antioxidants work on the skin, such as vitamins A, E and C.
It is considered a highly effective powerhouse skincare duo to combine ferulic acid and vitamin C together. This is because ferulic acid is able stabilise vitamin C whilst increasing its ability to minimise sun damage by boosting its photoprotection.
You’ll find the main benefits of ferulic acid is its antioxidants properties protecting the skin from free radicals, repairing the skin surface from existing damage, reversing signs of ageing by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. All this and generally improving the overall health and glow of the complexion.
There’s a little more information about ferulic acid over on the Skin School, so do take a look to find out more.
What is retinol?
We’ve all heard the word retinol before, it is either already well and truly established step in your skincare routine, or it’s an ingredient you’ve avoided like the plague, as even the name feels too intimidating.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A and is crowned one of the most potent skincare ingredients. It’s naturally occurring in the skin which production begins to decrease over the age of 25. This potent powerhouse works at promoting the renewal of skin cells and boosting collagen production giving the skin a firmer, lifted, more youthful bounce. As well as targeting signs of ageing, you’ll find retinol also works at combating existing skin damage caused from sun exposure.
As effective as retinol is at improving the skin, it is a highly potent ingredient that if used incorrectly can cause a few side effects. It is very important to introduce retinol into your routine slowly to avoid an increase of redness, itching, irritation, and discomfort. Find out more about retinol and how it works on the skin by checking out our blog post.
Now that you’ve had a refresher of these two ingredients, let’s find out more about using them together.
Can I use retinol with ferulic acid?
Yes, you can, in fact using these ingredients together result in an incredible combination. When layered together, retinol and ferulic acid boost each other’s effectiveness on the skin. With retinol working at evening the skin tone and increasing firmness, ferulic acid helps retinol reach further into the deeper layers of the skin and promote collagen production. With both powerhouse ingredients tag teaming each other, you are left with a luminous, healthy, even complexion.
What can be used with ferulic acid?
The main benefit of ferulic acid, is the fact that it can work effectively teamed with other ingredients but can boost them making them even more powerful. Finding product formulas containing other antioxidant ingredients, such as vitamin C, and vitamin E.
As effective ferulic acid is at being combined with other ingredients, it is important to bear in mind that introducing a new skincare ingredient should occur once you have consulted with a doctor or dermatologist. This will ensure you are using the best ingredient for you and your skincare needs.
What acid goes well with retinol?
Teaming acids, such as hyaluronic acid promotes a balanced complexion enabling retinol to work on the skin without causing it to become dry and irritated. This is thanks to the humectant traits of hyaluronic acid and its ability to draw moisture into the skin and locking it into place.
As for other more potent ingredients such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid, these should be applied when you are not using retinol. This is because the exfoliation these acids provide teamed with the increased stimulation of skin cell turnover can become too much for the skin. This will lead to an imbalance in pH levels in the skin as well as stripping the skin of oil resulting in irritation, redness, flaking, and general discomfort.
Can I use retinol every night?
Yes, you can in the end, but only after you’ve built the skin’s tolerance. The potency and formulation of the product also plays an important role in how often you can use retinol.
To begin with, it is best to apply retinol once or twice a week during your evening routine. After some time, many find they can use it every evening, this is very much dependant on your skin type and product. Ideally, it is best to use retinol every other night, this ensures it delivers results without causing any unwanted side effects.
There you have a little more information about these potent ingredients, and how to use retinol with ferulic acid. If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to come and find us on Instagram.
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.
