What products can be used with retinol?
Whether you’re just starting your skincare routine or you’re a die-hard super fan, retinol is one of those ingredients that everyone wants to know more about. That’s why today we’re going to focus on which products can be used with retinol, and if you’re lucky, you’ll all be skin experts by the end of today’s blog post.
What can retinol be used with?
Retinol is a potent form of vitamin A that’s praised for its anti-aging benefits, as well as other properties that promote overall skin health. Whether you’re new to your retinol journey or your skin type is particularly sensitive, it’s best to avoid exfoliating ingredients that contain retinol. I’m referring to AHAs and BHAs, like glycolic and salicylic acid, as well as physical exfoliants. This helps prevent over-irritation of the skin.
The best skincare formulas to use with retinol are moisturizers and serums that are rich in hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. If you use it at a different time of day than retinol, you can also incorporate other powerful ingredients, like the ever-popular vitamin C, into your routine.
Finally, the most important product to use with retinol is a daily SPF of 30 or higher. Due to the increased sensitivity of the skin to light when using retinol, it is crucial to ensure that the skin barrier is protected from damage caused by free radicals such as UV rays and pollution.
Can retinol and hyaluronic acid be used together?
Of course, in fact, many skin care experts recommend using these two powerful ingredients together to combat the common drying effects of retinol.
If you use hyaluronic acid and retinol together, I recommend using the retinol product first and then a serum rich in hyaluronic acid. This allows the retinol to penetrate the skin and boost collagen production, reversing signs of aging, restoring skin’s radiance and reducing breakouts or blemishes. When you follow up with hyaluronic acid, you’ll find that this clever moisturizer can draw moisture from the air around your face and lock it on the skin’s surface. This keeps the skin barrier healthy, hydrated, and protected from daily aggressors.
Can I mix niacinamide with retinol?
You actually can. For those with oily and acne-prone skin, applying niacinamide to the skin before retinol is considered an extremely effective way to regulate the skin’s sebum production and prevent blemishes.
An added benefit of combining niacinamide with retinol is that the hydrating effects of niacinamide help to moisturize the skin and fight dryness, redness, itching, and flaking, all of which are common side effects when using retinol.
Can Vitamin C and Retinol be used together?
Not really, and while both ingredients have great effects on the complexion, using them together is considered a no-no when it comes to keeping your skin healthy. Because the power of each ingredient can overload the skin and cause irritation. You can, however, use both Vitamin C and Retinol in your skin care routine. All you have to do is apply each powerful ingredient at the optimal time of day. Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants, making it a great addition to your morning routine. With the help of antioxidants, you can keep your skin barrier in its healthiest state, meaning it’s able to fight off any free radicals that your skin comes into contact with. These free radicals, such as pollution, harsh climates, central heating, and UV rays, can cause a great deal of skin damage, which can worsen if left untreated.
This damage includes hyperpigmentation, dark spots, acne, and signs of premature aging. While vitamin C protects the skin from these free radicals throughout the day, retinol repairs any damage they have previously caused. The main difference is that retinol should not be used during the day, as any exposure to UV rays will cause the active form of vitamin A to become completely useless.
Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser with retinol?
Yes and no, I mean you can actually use a salicylic acid cleanser with retinol, but remember to use it at the right time of day. Since both ingredients are so potent, it’s best to allow enough time between applications. This not only balances the skin’s natural pH, but also ensures that each ingredient can fully work to its full potential.
For best results, I recommend using a salicylic acid cleanser in the morning and then retinol in the evening. If you want to learn more about using salicylic acid cleansers with retinol, we actually have a detailed blog post on Beauty Insider.
Can retinol be mixed with moisturizer?
Yes, you can, as long as the moisturizer doesn’t contain any active ingredients that could cause irritation. The beauty of mixing retinol with a moisturizer is that you are creating a physical barrier on the skin due to the thick formula of the moisturizer. This ensures that the skin and any products used underneath are protected and can do their job without being disturbed by environmental influences such as harsh weather and climate.
They also ensure that the skin feels healthy, happy, and fully hydrated!
Today I hope to have answered some of your questions about products that can be used with retinol. If you have any skincare questions, don’t forget to visit us on Instagram for daily skincare tips, new product launches, and exclusive discounts. You can find me in DMs, so come on over and say hi!
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.
