How to combine Vitamin C, Retinol, and Hyaluronic Acid?
In general, many people’s skincare routines undoubtedly already include products rich in Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Retinol. If you’ve just read this and are shaking your head, or maybe you have the products but don’t know how to use them, then don’t panic because you’ve come to the right place!
Today, we’re going to take a closer look at these powerful ingredients and shed some light on how you can use them in your daily routine to have the best skin ever. So with that in mind, let’s figure out how to combine Vitamin C, Retinol, and Hyaluronic Acid.
How to use Retinol, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid together?
All three of these ingredients are probably the most beneficial skincare ingredients out there. It’s no wonder they’re loved by beauty experts. While they’re all so effective for the skin, it’s important that you know how to use them together to ensure you’re getting the most out of your skincare routine.
Hyaluronic Acid: Your skin will love Hyaluronic Acid as much as you do. This clever hydrating ingredient can bind 1,000 times its own weight in water, which basically means it draws moisture from your skin and locks it in place. This provides your skin with continuous hydration and keeps it moisturized all day long. As if that weren’t enough, all skin types benefit from hyaluronic acid, so everyone can reap the hydrating benefits.
Vitamin C: The benefits of using vitamin C in your daily routine are endless. From restoring your complexion’s radiance to fighting fine lines and wrinkles, boosting collagen formation and reducing pigmentation. Since vitamin C is unstable in formulas, some people are hesitant to introduce this powerful substance into their daily routine. However, modern formulations and patch testing ensure that you can use vitamin C with confidence because it’s good for your skin.
Retinol: Retinol is one of the most potent ingredients in skincare, so there’s some uncertainty about how it works. Once you understand it better, you’ll realize that retinol has the ability to speed up skin cell turnover and increase collagen production, leaving your complexion looking youthful and plump.
When it comes to using these powerful ingredients together in your daily routine, the best approach is to use vitamin C in your morning routine, as it’s packed with antioxidant benefits that protect your skin from free radical damage. For your evening routine, you should use retinol, mainly because the ingredient becomes useless when exposed to UV rays. You can use hyaluronic acid twice a day. Not only does it keep your skin hydrated and healthy, it also prevents skin irritation.
Can Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid be used together?
Of course, I would even recommend using both products together every time. When applying any product to your skin, you can start with Vitamin C, especially in serum formulas, and then follow up with Hyaluronic Acid, as this acid works on different areas of the skin and moisturizes it, allowing Vitamin C to penetrate deeper into the epidermis and reach areas of the skin where collagen is produced and signs of pigmentation appear.
Which comes first, Retinol or Hyaluronic Acid?
Although Retinol is very effective for the skin, this powerhouse does have a small drawback in that it can cause signs of dryness and flaking on the skin. This is a very common reaction that will subside as your skin develops a tolerance to it. This is where Hyaluronic Acid comes into play, moisturizing the skin and reducing the irritation caused by Retinol. If you want to use both ingredients together, I recommend using a serum that is rich in Hyaluronic Acid first and then following up with Retinol. This allows it to work its magic and reduce its habit of causing dryness and irritation on the skin.
Which is better, retinol or hyaluronic acid?
This is a hard question to answer because they are completely different ingredients that have different effects on the skin. Retinol is the best ingredient to use if you want to combat skin aging issues like fine lines and wrinkles. However, there is one important factor to consider: skin can dry out very easily, which can cause the skin’s protective barrier to no longer contain the right amount of water and oil. This can lead to excessive free radical damage to the skin, such as from pollution, UV rays, and harsh climates. Fortunately, using both ingredients together can keep the skin hydrated, protected, and feeling and looking its best.
Should Vitamin C be used before or after Retinol?
When it comes to using Vitamin C and Retinol, both ingredients are highly effective and provide the best results when used in your skincare routine. But not necessarily at the same time. This is mainly because each ingredient works better at different times of the day. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and protects the skin from daily stress caused by skin-damaging factors. It also gives the complexion a lovely glow, making it a great addition to your morning routine. Since UV rays can render retinol ineffective, it’s best to use it in your evening routine so that it can work while you get your beauty sleep. Both ingredients increase your skin’s sensitivity to light, so be sure to apply an SPF of 30 or higher every day to protect your face from the sun.
In what order should I use retinol?
In skincare formulas, retinol is often found in products like serums, face oils, and moisturizers. This usually means using retinol as one of the last steps in your routine.
Here’s an example of a nighttime skincare routine:
Cleansing product
Toner
Serum (may contain retinol)
Eye cream
Moisturizer (may contain retinol)
Facial oil (may contain retinol)
By applying retinol to thoroughly cleansed, clear skin, you remove the buildup of dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt that can create a layer on the skin over time that makes it difficult for other ingredients to absorb and work their magic.
Can I use Vitamin C in the morning and Retinol at night?
Yes, as I mentioned before, it’s the secret to the best complexion! By using each powerful ingredient in a different routine, you’ll benefit your skin while giving yourself enough time to prevent unnecessary irritation. Of course, don’t forget to patch test each ingredient to make sure it’s the best fit for your routine. If you have concerns, consult a doctor or healthcare professional to make sure you’re using the best products for your skin.
Don’t forget to read our other blog posts to learn more about the ingredients mentioned and their benefits for your skin. Do you have questions? Visit 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.
