How to layer HA and BHA
I’ll be the first to admit that being in the beauty industry feels like arriving on an alien planet and not being able to understand what everyone is talking about. This is by no means something to be ashamed of, as you’ll find that even those who have learned a few lessons can be pretty confused at times.
That’s why today we want to clear up the confusion about how to layer HA and BHA. Don’t worry, because I’m sure that by the end of today’s blog post, you’ll be feeling a lot more confident the next time you land on this skincare alien planet.
Can BHA and HA be used together?
Actually yes, and seriously, I highly recommend always using BHA and HA together. Both ingredients have many different benefits for the skin, and you’ll be amazed at the results you see when you combine them.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body in the form of a polysaccharide, and is primarily used as a lubricant for joints, nerves, hair, and skin. It can absorb nearly 1,000 times its weight in water, making it one of the most effective hydrating ingredients for the skin. It works by drawing water into the skin and trapping it in the outer surface barrier. Not only does this make your complexion look plumper, it also protects against signs of damage caused by UV rays, pollution, and other environmental influences.
Salicylic Acid
The term BHA stands for beta hydroxy acid, and it’s part of a larger family of skin care products that includes chemical peels like AHA and PHA. These powerful skin care products can remove dead skin cells, clear pores, and rejuvenate your skin (and those are just some of their benefits!). The most well-known BHA is the impurity-fighting salicylic acid. Unlike other AHAs, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the skin, deep into the pores, to remove all impurities, excess sebum, and bacteria. As effective as this ingredient is, it can irritate the skin. So if you have sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid it.
When you use HA and BHA together, you’ll find that the moisturizing properties of HA can counteract the drying effects of salicylic acid and other BHAs, keeping your skin comfortable without compromising the rejuvenating effects of an effective chemical peel.
Can salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid be layered together?
Of course, by applying salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid in layers, you can ensure that both ingredients achieve the best skin results. For example, when using an exfoliating toner with an effective BHA, remove the physical barrier on the surface of the skin before exfoliating it. Once the dead skin cells are removed, each subsequent product application allows them to penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the dermis. This means you can see results quickly. Using hyaluronic acid as a moisturizer after salicylic acid will reduce the risk of skin irritation, which is a common side effect of the popular BHA salicylic acid.
In what order should hyaluronic acid be applied?
If you’ve been doing this for a while, you know that one of the most important skin care rules is to use products based on their consistency. Starting with the thinnest formula and gradually working your way up to the thickest allows all of the active ingredients in these formulas to be effectively absorbed into the skin, especially without having to fight the physical barrier created by products like moisturizers, oils, and creams.
Should hyaluronic acid be used before or after salicylic acid?
That depends on what type of products you find hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid in. Generally speaking, BHAs are usually found in exfoliating tonics, serums, or lightweight oils. When it comes to hyaluronic acid, serums and moisturizers are the two main products that most commonly contain this moisturizer. It doesn’t matter when you use these two ingredients, just combine them and you’ll be amazed at the results on your skin.
Do I need to use a moisturizer after using hyaluronic acid?
Moisturizers are often thought to provide the most hydration, and this is often the case, especially when the formula contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. However, the main job of a moisturizer is to protect the skin’s protective barrier. It achieves this goal thanks to its rich consistency and blend of useful ingredients. When used in addition to all the steps in your daily routine, it forms a physical protective barrier on the outer surface of the skin. This barrier helps your skin resist further damage and is also a source of additional moisture for any serums that are already enriched with hyaluronic acid that have been applied to the skin.
What should we do after AHA BHA?
When dealing with AHAs and BHAs, there are some tips and instructions that should be followed to ensure that these ingredients work effectively.
DO – Apply SPF daily as part of your morning routine
Even if you use an AHA or BHA at night, it’s still important to protect new skin cells from harmful UV rays. Applying an SPF 30 or higher every day ensures your skin is fully protected and stays healthy.
DON’T – Use a physical exfoliant
This is too harsh for the skin and not only causes excessive skin damage, it can prevent other ingredients or products from working effectively.
DO – Combine AHAs and BHAs with Hyaluronic Acid
Any signs of irritation or skin reaction can be easily addressed thanks to the moisturizing effects of hyaluronic acid.
DON’T – Apply products containing AHAs and BHAs without performing a patch test
Applying new products or ingredients to the skin without performing a patch test is a recipe for disaster. Always apply a 10p-sized amount of product to the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours. If there are no signs of irritation, you’re good to go!
That’s it for today’s blog post on applying hyaluronic acid and BHAs in layers. I hope I answered your question, but if there’s anything else you’d like to know, follow us on Instagram If you’re interested in skin care, don’t forget to check out our new YouTube show “The Green Sofa”!
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.