Should I use Hyaluronic Acid Before or After Tretinoin?
When it comes to skincare ingredient combinations, one of the most effective is retinol and hyaluronic acid. This is because both are able to deliver impressive skin results whilst working together to reduce the risk of retinol causing excessive dryness to the skin and allowing hyaluronic acid to keep the skin plumped and hydrated throughout the day.
Now you’re probably wondering why I’m talking about retinol when the title of this blog post mentions tretinoin, well believe it or not tretinoin is a name for the drug Retin-A and the active ingredient retinol. I know, it all sounds very technical, but not to worry as things will make a lot more sense once we have figured out whether you should use hyaluronic acid before or after tretinoin.
What does tretinoin do for your skin?
Tretinoin is used for treating acne, breakouts as well as other skin concerns such as signs of ageing, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity. Due to the fact it is an extremely potent ingredient you will often find it is obtained through prescription. Tretinoin works on the skin the same ways as retinol so needs to be introduced into your daily routine correctly. This is because skin experiences some dryness and flaking which is a common result when you first apply retinol to the skin. Once it has built its tolerance you’ll find the dryness subsides and you begin to see results. You can find out more about tretinoin and how it benefits the skin over on our blog.
Is there a difference between Retin-A and tretinoin?
Not really, it may feel confusing, but retin-A is the brand name for the drug tretinoin, yes just like the Beckham family have a brand name. It just happens that retin-A, or retinol is the name the ingredient is mainly called and recognised by. They are both a potent form of vitamin A which when used on the skin can combat all manner of skin concerns, from acne to fine lines. As I have already mentioned it is vital you use any form of retinol correctly and introduce it slowly into your routine. Start off by using it once a week and slowly make your way up to 3 times a week. If you are wanting to find out more, check out our blog post about retinol and its skincare benefits.
Can I use hyaluronic acid serum with Retin-A?
Absolutely! If anything, I would strongly suggest teaming these two powerhouse ingredients together. This will not only help keep your skin’s protective barrier remain fully functioning, with the correct levels of water enabling it to combat damage caused by daily exposure to free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays and other environmental skin stresses. When teaming these ingredients together you’ll find retin-a can work deep in the lower layers of the skin, reversing signs of ageing and problematic breakouts without the worry of the skin becoming too uncomfortable and dry thanks to the clever humectant properties of hyaluronic acid locking moisture into the skin.
Should I use hyaluronic acid before or after tretinoin?
Not really, many favour applying tretinoin before hyaluronic acid to ensure any dryness is avoided. However, when it comes to applying skincare, it is considered important to remember to follow the basic rule, and that is to apply products from thinnest to thickest. This will obviously have an effect on whether you apply hyaluronic acid before or after tretinoin. If I could however make the suggestion of applying hyaluronic acid before the potent tretinoin you will find your skin remains comfortable and happy. You’ll also find that because the layers of the skin are fully hydrated, they act more like a wet sponge absorbing any other product that are applied to the skin allowing them to penetrate into the lower layers of the skin.
How do you layer retinol and hyaluronic acid together?
As I have already mentioned layering skincare ingredients comes down to their consistency, remember, thinnest to thickest. The easiest way to remember the steps is serum, followed by oils and finally moisturisers. By applying skincare formulas this way you will find they are able to work on the skin and not battle against the physical barrier caused by the thicker consistencies. If you’re not wanting to follow my suggestion in the previous part, then the best way of layering retinol and hyaluronic acid is to first apply retinol to dry skin followed by a serum packed with hyaluronic acid. This will keep the skin hydrated and combat any potential dryness and flaking that as mentioned, is a common side effect when you first add retinol to your skincare routine.
Which is better hyaluronic acid or retinol?
Both of these ingredients carry a huge amount of reputation and popularity, they are both adored by beauty experts and enthusiasts alike. With this in mind, I’m tempted to say you’d be missing a trick if you don’t use both of these powerhouse ingredients in your daily routine.
Whilst retinol contains a huge amount of skin benefits that help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improving the appearance of skin texture, evens out skin tone and combating acne and breakouts. With retinol there is the slight downside to the short-term dryness it can cause to the skin, but as I have mentioned it does not last long and if used correctly will result in you having the best complexion.
As for hyaluronic acid, this humectant is hugely beneficial for the skin to remain hydrated and moisturised leaving the skin looking plumped and youthful. This is important to remember as quite often dehydration can not only lead to the skin looking older with visibly more fine lines on the surface, but with the protective barrier being notably weakened will lead to the skin becoming damaged from free radical exposure.
It really boils down to you and which concerns you have with your skin, however, seeing as though you are able to use both of these effective ingredients together, then why not reap the rewards and give your skin the best routine leaving it at its healthiest, happiest state.
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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.
