What Products Can You use with Retinol?
Whether you have only started using a skincare routine, or you are die hard super fan, retinol is one of the ingredients that everyone would value from a little more information about. That is exactly why today we are going to be focusing on what products can you use with retinol and with any luck, you’ll all be skin experts by the end of today’s blog post.
What can you use with retinol?
Retinol is a potent form of vitamin A and is praised for its anti-ageing benefits, as well as other properties to promote all-over skin health. Whether you are new to your retinol journey, or you have a skin type that is particularly sensitive, it’s best to avoid using exfoliating ingredients with retinol. By this I mean AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid as well as physical scrubs. This will help prevent the skin from becoming over stimulated.
The best skincare formulations to use with retinol are moisturisers and serums that are packed with hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. As for other potent actives, such as the very popular vitamin C, you can still include this in your routine if you apply it during a different time of day compared to your retinol.
Finally, the most important product you should use with retinol is a daily SPF of 30 and above. Due to the increase in photosensitivity your skin will experience when using retinol, it is vital for you to ensure the skin barrier is protected from exposure to free radical damage, such as UV rays and pollution.
Can you use retinol and hyaluronic acid together?
Absolutely, in fact, many skincare experts suggest that using these two powerhouse ingredients together will ensure the common drying effects of retinol are combatted.
When using hyaluronic acid and retinol together I would suggest to first of all apply your retinol product followed by a serum that is enriched in hyaluronic acid. This will allow the retinol to penetrate the skin and work at boosting collagen production, reverse the signs of ageing, restore luminosity to the skin and reduce any breakouts or blemishes. By following this with hyaluronic acid you will find this clever humectant is able to draw water in from the atmosphere surrounding the face and locking it into the skin surface. This will keep the skin barrier healthy, hydrated and enable it to be protected from daily aggressors.
Can I mix niacinamide with retinol?
You can indeed, applying niacinamide to the skin before retinol is considered a highly effective way for those with oily and acne prone skin types to regulate the sebum production in the skin and keep blemishes at bay.
The added benefit of teaming niacinamide with retinol is the humectant benefits of niacinamide will help keep the skin moisturised and counteract any dryness, redness, itchiness, and flaking, all of which are a common side effect when using retinol.
Can vitamin C and retinol be used together?
Not really, as amazing as both of these ingredients are at benefiting the complexion, using them together is considered a big no-no when keeping your skin healthy. This is because the potency of each ingredient will overload the skin and cause irritation. Having said that, you can still use both vitamin C and retinol in your daily skincare regime. It is just a case of applying each powerhouse ingredient at the optimal time of day. Vitamin C is packed with antioxidants making it a great addition to your morning routine. With help from the antioxidants, you can keep the skin barrier at its healthiest state meaning it is able to ward of any free radicals your skin encounters. Such free radicals, such as pollution, harsh climates, central heating, and UV rays can cause a lot of skin damage which if left untreated can worsen.
This damage can vary from hyperpigmentation, dark spots, acne, and signs of premature ageing. Whilst vitamin C is able to protect the skin throughout the day to these free radicals, retinol can repair any damage they have previously caused. The main difference you’ll find it retinol should not be used during the day as any exposure to UV light results in the potent form of vitamin A becoming completely useless.
Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser with retinol? Yes and no, by this I mean you can indeed use a salicylic acid cleanser with retinol but keeping in mind to use it at the right time of day. Considering the potency of both these ingredients are very high, its best to ensure there is enough time left in between applications. This will not only keep the natural pH level of the skin balanced but will also ensure each ingredient is able to perform to the best of its abilities. For best results I would suggest using your salicylic acid cleanser during your morning routine followed by retinol in the evening routine. If you’re wanting to find out more about using salicylic acid cleanser with retinol, we actually have a fully detailed blog post over on The Beauty Insiders. Can you mix retinol with moisturiser? Yes, you can, as long as the moisturiser doesn’t contain and active ingredients that can cause irritation. The beauty of mixing retinol with a moisturiser is thanks to the thick formulation of your moisturiser you are applying a physical barrier over the skin. With this you are ensuring the skin and any product applied underneath is protected and able to work without disruption by any environmental aggressors, such as bad weather and climate. You will also ensure the skin is left feeling healthy, happy, and fully hydrated! I hope that today I have answered some of the questions you’ve had about what products you can use with retinol. Don’t forget if you have any skincare questions you can come and find us over on Instagram for daily skincare tips, new product launches and exclusive discounts. You can find me in the direct messages so do come and say hello!
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.
