How to Layer Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and Retinol
In recent years, your skincare routine has transformed from a simple wet washcloth and moisturizer to something akin to a chemistry class. For those who are well-versed in skin care, this chemistry class may be fun, but if you are new to the field, you may find it as confusing as the periodic table.
Don’t worry, I’m here to help demystify it all. Today I’m focusing on how to layer hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and retinol.
Does retinol come before or after hyaluronic acid?
When you think about retinol and hyaluronic acid, they both have their own unique benefits for the skin and actually complement each other very well. There is also a key difference in the way the two ingredients are applied to the skin. What I mean by this is that hyaluronic acid loves water. Leaving your skin slightly damp after cleansing activates the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid. This allows the moisture on the skin to be drawn into the lower layers and trapped there, resulting in a radiant, healthy, and comfortable complexion.
As for retinol, this powerful substance must be applied to dry skin i.e. h. before applying hyaluronic acid or about 20 minutes between applications to allow for adequate time to absorb into the skin. Regardless of how you choose to use each ingredient, they both target problem areas and work together to keep the skin’s surface balanced and hydrated.
Can Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid be layered?
Absolutely! Both Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid provide a significant amount of moisture to the skin. You’ll find that both have the ability to bind and lock in moisture, which helps keep the skin barrier healthy and fights signs of free radical damage caused by UV radiation and other environmental aggressors.
When mixing these two ingredients, it’s best to apply Hyaluronic Acid first, as it binds a significant amount of water to provide continuous hydration throughout the day. Then apply Niacinamide, as it regulates the skin’s sebum production and keeps it balanced.
How to layer Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid?
If you’ve read any of our previous blog posts, you’ll know the general rule of thumb for how to layer different skincare products and ingredients. The best approach is to work your way up from the thinnest formula to the thickest, gradually adjusting the consistency.
This is important to keep in mind if you want to layer retinol and hyaluronic acid. For example, you would apply your serum first, then your facial oil, and finally your moisturizer. By following this skin rule, you’ll find that each ingredient can work to its full potential without worrying about irritation or blocking the effective formula from achieving optimal skin results.
Can I use retinol after niacinamide?
You can apply retinol after niacinamide if you allow enough time between applications. Applying niacinamide first will protect your skin from the drying effects that retinol typically causes. You’ll also find that once your skin is moisturized, the retinol will be absorbed quickly and effectively, reaching the underlying layers and showing results faster.
However, there’s nothing wrong with using both niacinamide and retinol in the same product. The formula may not be as effective as using each ingredient alone, but many people find this more convenient, especially if retinol is new to their daily skincare routine.
What can retinol be used for?
There are a variety of skincare ingredients that can be used with retinol. Moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalene, and vitamin E are considered the best for neutralizing retinol-related irritation. You’ll also find that any ingredients with hydrating properties will help lock moisture into the outer surface, allowing the retinol to penetrate, and with few to no side effects.
The easiest way to remember which substances to avoid is if they have similar skin benefits to any form of retinoids, such as: B. Increased skin cell turnover. Exfoliating ingredients and formulas should be avoided entirely. Chemical peels like AHA glycolic acid and BHAs like salicylic acid, as well as physical peels husks and fruit seeds are too abrasive, irritating the skin and causing irritation, redness, dryness, and general discomfort.
Can I use hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and retinol?
Both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are gentle yet effective skincare ingredients. Many users find them easy to use and have no or few side effects. Since retinol is considered one of the most effective ingredients, there are some caveats and rules. When introducing it into your routine. By combining all three ingredients together, you can hydrate the skin, strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and keep it in its healthiest state, and ultimately prevent retinol from drying out and irritating the skin.
If you want to learn more about niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and retinol, and how this powerful trio works together on your skin, check out our dedicated blog post on using these ingredients in your skincare routine.
Which is better, hyaluronic acid or retinol?
As mentioned before, these two ingredients target different areas of the skin and when combined make for a powerful and skin-rejuvenating combo. Since each ingredient works effectively together, you can be sure that the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid will offset the drying and peeling side effects of retinol. Similar to niacinamide, hyaluronic acid is another ingredient that can be combined with retinol to really shine. Each of these skincare heroes soothes fine lines and wrinkles and boosts collagen production for a radiant, healthy-looking, plump complexion.
If the idea of retinol overwhelms you, read our article on what retinol is and what it does for your skin. This will help clear up any confusion, and as always, before adding any new product to your routine, you should first consult with your doctor or dermatologist to ensure it’s safe for you and your skin type.Of course, don’t forget to do a 24-hour patch test before applying it all over your skin to avoid unnecessary irritation.
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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.
