Usage, Layering & Comparisons, Benefits of Face Oil: 9 Reasons Why Every Skin Type Needs One, How to Get Rid of Jowls: These 14 Hacks Work, Castor Oil In Ear: What Itll Do And How To Use It, Can You Use Face Oil With Retinol? Yes, you can use hyaluronic acid and retinol together with your skincare routine. Mixing ingredients without proper knowledge of each can lead to skin irritation if one combines two opposing ingredients, Marchbein states further. (We explain the difference between prescription strength retinol and OTC retinol later in this article!). Retinol is often confused with retinoids, so you might find it helpful to understand that retinol is actually a type retinoid. Dont scrub your skin while using retinol products. Begin with a low percentage (.01% to 0.03%) OTC retinol product. Apply Retinol to a clean, dry face, then hyaluronic acid, then moisturizer. SPF should also be worn every day. Avoid using retinol and salicylic acid together. Only try this if your skin doesnt react harshly to using any of the ingredients independently. Therefore, it is best to use your vitamin C in the morning, says Dr. Marchbein. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Dot the retinol in nine spots: three on your forehead; three across the center of your face/cheeks; three between your jawline and chin. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Welcome to skincare mixology 101. It cant be good at two things.. WebTo maximize your glow, swap vitamin C in for one of your other active products (like an acid) once in a while, instead of layering them both. The Exact Order You Should Apply Your Skincare Products Morning and Night, Every Question You've Ever Had About Retinol, Answered, All of the Benefits of Using Vitamin C in Your Skincare Routine, How to Build the Best Skincare Routine For Eczema, The Best Skincare Routine for Acne, According to Dermatologists, The 14 Best Face Serums of 2023 for Every Skin Type and Concern, The 10 Best Face Washes for Acne of 2023 to Battle Any Type of Blemish, The 16 Best Acne Serums of 2023 for Clearer, Brighter Skin. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What Dermatologists Want You To Know Before You Mix Skincare Ingredients, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Can You Get the No Makeup Look Through Skincare Alone? Hyaluronic acid contains mainly moisturizing properties that help to hydrate the skin. User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Can You Use Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide? You know how they say if you eat too many carrots, you'll start looking like one? "Many people think retinol thins the skin, but it actually thickens the dermis, the deeper skin layer. Tretinoin decreases fine lines, evens skin color, improves texture, tightens pores, and stimulates blood flow and collagen production. "A patient should expect results in three months with retinoic acid and in six months with retinol over-the-counter (OTC) products," Minars says. While dry skin types may need a heavier nighttime moisturizer, those with oily skin can opt for a formula thats more lightweight. Be especially careful around your eyes, nose, and mouth. When used together, Vitamin C and retinol can be a somewhat intense experience for the skin, and are not used for the same purposes. "Both of these ingredients disrupt the skin barrier," Chan explains. You can do this using BHA in the morning; to get rid of dead skin cells and reveal brighter skin. The side effects should be minimal if you start slowly and work your way up. Along with other retinoids (like retinoic acid, adapalene, retinaldehyde and retinyl palmitate), retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin found in household items like eggs, carrots, and sweet potatoes. As Senior Beauty Editor, she reported and co-produced the Webby Award-nominated documentary Beat: How Drag Queens Shaped the Beauty Industry and hosted the millions-viewed video series "Beauty Haul." Using these two ingredients will cause no harm at all because, unlike retinol, niacinamide does not cause irritation or dry the skin. That being said, introducing new skincare products and ingredients into your routine isnt always easy. Yes, but you can only use them separately in different routines. Why You Should Consider the Skincare Multitasker, The 17 Best Products for Blackheads That Will Clean Out Clogged Pores, The 20 Best Dark Spot Correctors for a Brighter Complexion, 4 Under-the-Radar Acne-Fighting Ingredients That Aren't Benzoyl Peroxide, 6 Essential Summer Skincare Tips From Dermatologists, The 8 Best Overnight Face Masks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed. Now, you just need to figure out whether the ingredients in all of these creams, serums, and masks work harmoniously. Dr. Beer advised that you should Avoid buying retinol with sun protection in it. Remember all those benefits from vitamin C? However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. WebYou can and should combine all three skincare ingredients in your routine, Dr. Gilbert says. To combat this, hyaluronic acid is the ideal complementary product as it has powerful water retention properties, making it very hydrating for the skin. Yes, you can mix or use it with other skincare ingredients. Retinol isnt just for those with acne-prone or mature skin anyone can use a retinol. Slot vitamin C into your a.m. routine, especially since it functions better in the daytime, she adds. In short, the active ingredients in retinol work by increasing your cell turnover and promoting more collagen production. Cookies, related technologies and device identification are used for Personalized Advertising. Using the two ingredients together will cause more harm than good, as they both work to stimulate skin cell turnover. You cannot use the two ingredients in the same morning or evening routine. This allows the product to penetrate. Dont worry, Ill explain. WebCan you use vitamin C with retinol? Some things are just meant to be together. Doubling up on resurfacing ingredients like retinol and chemical exfoliants can cause flaking, redness, and even burns, Dr. Bhanusali says. Unless your skincare routine doesnt go beyond using the most basic cleanser and moisturizer, theres already a strong possibility that youre using vitamin C, retinol and/or hyaluronic acid to help keep your skin looking its best. To use the ingredients on your skin, you can get a product that contains both ingredients, or you can use them separately. Yes, SPF can feel like an extra step in an already-extensive skincare routine, but don't try to take shortcuts. "They both reduce pigmentation and brighten discoloration.". And any of those earlier annoying side effects can be nixed by ceramides (naturally occurring lipids) in a moisturizer. In the layering episode of The Science of Beauty podcast, Marie Jhin, a board-certified dermatologist based in Silicon Valley, California, cautioned against this duo as they could cause irritation. Retinol & AHAs. In this blog, we'll discuss the benefits While gradually building up to a higher frequency and potency can reduce how dry your skin becomes over time, its still an absolute necessity to moisturize afterwards. WebIngredients You Should Not Use Together The ingredients can cancel the positive effects of each other out and leave skin extremely dry and irritated. Rinse the cleaner or soap off your face with warm water, and pat your skin dry with a clean towel. This gentle but powerful acid fights acne, redness, hyperpigmentation, and (so much) more. Apply one product, and then take a moment before applying the next one. We asked the experts. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects and defends our skin by neutralizing free radicals, Shirazi says. The most important thing to know is that retinoid is the umbrella term for any kind of topical product that contains a Vitamin A derivative. Use hyaluronic acid serum after applying your Vitamin C serum in the morning, then follow with the rest of your skin care regimen, including your SPF 30. Since Retinoids (and other Vitamin A derivatives) are known for being quite drying and can be rather harsh on the skin, many people are turned off from continuing use. As previously mentioned, benzoyl peroxide and retinol can deactivate one another when used together. Its not just a waste of money, it is also a waste of time trying to mix skincare ingredients without knowing how each ingredient works and how well they interact when combined, says Dr. Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist. Try Cetaphils Intensive Healing Lotion With Ceramides. Think of it this way: the term dog is used to describe a specific type of animal, but it does not distinguish between breeds. You can and should combine all three skincare ingredients in your routine, Dr. Gilbert says. A quick refresher on why antioxidants are so important to our health, topically and internally: They prevent oxidative damage to cells by helping to remove free radicals (the bad guys). 11 Reasons Why You Need It in Your Life, Bio-Oil on Face: Usage, Comedogenicity, Benefits & Side Effects, Effects of Bio-Oil on Face, Acne, Skin, Shaving, Makeup, Microneedling & Pregnancy, Best Puffy Eye Creams 15 Recommended Products to Try, Can Serum and Face Oil Be Used Together? Allow your face to absorb the retinol till it is completely dry, then you can apply your hyaluronic acid to moisturize your skin. If anything, your face will be left extremely uncomfortable. Vitamins C and E will tag-team to increase protection for your skin and limit UV rayinduced damage. After your serums have fully absorbed into your skin, follow up with a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher before you begin your makeup routine. "I strongly caution those also using retinoids for acne or anti-aging as the combination with various acids may cause excessive skin sensitivity, irritation, and redness. "Retinol is an effective anti-aging ingredient, but can exacerbate skin dryness," explains Dr. Lortscher. Its almost hard to believe that a single productretinolcould have the power to do so many incredible things for your skin. Retinol or vitamin A is a popular anti-aging ingredient in many skincare products. "Because niacinamide is anti-inflammatory, the skin reacts very minimally to it, and side effects such as irritation are unusual," Dr. Lortscher explains. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and has authored several peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. "If you want to minimize any chance of interaction if you are using tretinoin, apply the tretinoin-containing formulation in the PM, and use your benzoyl peroxide in the AM, or use a wash-off benzoyl peroxide cleanser rather than layering a leave-on benzoyl peroxide.". Dr. Mariwalla says its a great idea to use both a retinoid- and It might need some help extra help looking plump and healthy, so its a good time to consider adding retinol to your skincare routine if you fall within this age range. Whichever you choose to believe, most were in agreement that sunlight will decrease the efficacy of the retinoid product. Contrary to retinol, Vitamin C safeguards the skin from damages caused by environmental aggressors. and improve its content and advertising. Please review our, sounds too good to be true, it might be because it is. To find out how to use them together, we consulted with board-certified dermatologists and Skincare.com consultants. WebCan you use vitamin C with retinol? Vitamin E makes vitamin C four times stronger. Wow! When used together, Vitamin C and retinol can be a somewhat intense experience for the skin, and are not used for the same purposes. Instead, Robinson and Chan recommend relegating benzoyl peroxide to your morning routine and retinol to your nighttime one. If you're going to use one skincare product, make it SPF. Vitamin E is the name given to [a] family of oil-soluble antioxidants, explains cosmetic chemist NiKita Wilson. The expert suggests use of salicylic acid during daytime and anti-aging ingredient retinol at night. Perform the nighttime skincare routine as directed above. Your morning skincare routine isnt complete without sunscreen. Hyaluronic acid contains mainly moisturizing properties that help to hydrate the However, with great potency comes an increased risk of side effects. Hyaluronic acid binds 1,000 times its weight in water, says Dr. Gilbert. To start, its safest to use alpha hydroxy acids (like glycolic) or beta hydroxy acids (like salicylic) twice a week, but not on the same nights that you use a retinol. Stop sensitivity before it starts by making a double skin-care sandwich: Apply moisturizer, apply a retinoid, then apply moisturizer again. Yes, you can safely use both ingredients on your skin. Final Thoughts on Using Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol Together for And have to deal with issues like reddening, peeling, flakiness or dry skin. Also known as vitamin A, what makes retinol so great is that it promotes skin cell turnover, which can help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, dark spots, and acne. According to experts, when youre using retinol in your regimen, there are a few things you should avoid to help prevent adverse reactions. Retinol works best at a higher pH (around 5 to 6), while vitamin C is most effective at a lower pH (around 3.5). What Is Vitamin E? Vitamin C should be used in the morning, as its purpose is to protect the skin from pollution, ultraviolet light, and free radicals. You might come across retinoids in two different forms: Retinoic acid is considered the "gold standard" by many dermatologists, Minars says, though he adds that retinols are still effective for most patients. Remember that skin cell turnover occurs over time. Along with moisturizing ingredients that can buffer the dehydrating effects of benzoyl peroxide, the acne-fighting component can be used in conjunction with prescription topical treatments like clindamycin. A common mistake is using a BP cleanser, then applying vitamin C. Spread them out! Do Mix: Retinoids + Peptides. Always check the manufacturers note on instructions on how to apply. We recommend the. For the best results, look for a cleanser thats formulated for your specific skin type. Warm a quarter-sized amount between hands, and apply a thin layer onto skin of face and neck. Bottom line: Too much of a good thing is a bad thingso beware of layering many potent picks. Instead, alternate the days you throw them on. Dr. Lortscher explains: "Depending upon how the product is formulated, benzoyl peroxide may inactivate tretinoin somewhat if they are mixed together in the same bottle. Then, its important to wait 30 minutes between Vitamin C and retinol application, allowing time for the Vitamin C to be absorbed. Take it from the derms we spoke to, ahead. The first in this couple does everything from fading discoloration to preventing wrinklesbut retinoids are also known to be drying. Then slather on a serum like The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. Using both vitamin C and retinol in your skincare routine will speedily improve the appearance of your skin. It builds collagen, smooths fine lines, increases cell turnover, addresses dark spots and combats acne, yielding clear and impressive results. Option 1: Neutrogena's Stubborn Acne + Marks line makes this easy to remember. Retinol is considered by many to be the crown jewel of anti-aging ingredients. The caveat? Ah, retinol. A, will be most effective in delivering to the cellular level, says Dr. Engelman. Massage the product on your face carefully and allow it to sit on your skin for about 5 minutes. The Thayers Milky Toner Has Been Game-Changing for My Dry, Sensitiv 10 Dark Spot Correctors to Add to Your Shopping Cart, How to Get Rid of Dark Under-Eye Circles, According to Experts, A Simple 5-Step Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin, How to Avoid a White Cast From Mineral Sunscreen. Retinol can be drying. You've probably seen plenty of videos on TikTok or Instagram touting the benefits of each. What Are The Best Exercises For A Flat Tummy? Michelle Lee and Jenny Bailly called upon dermatologist Marie Jhin to share some hard-and-fast rules for skin-care layering. Allow your skin to absorb the niacinamide, then proceed to apply retinol gently on the skin. The Pre-color Treatment You Shouldnt Miss, How to Use Snail Serum Correctly to Achieve the Best Result, How to Treat Retinol Burn 7 Effective Methods to Try, What Does Niacinamide Serum Do? This skincare combination is not good, as together, they may increase the oil activity, as well as increase sebaceous activity. When you use niacinamide before retinol, it will help to reduce or prevent the drying effect and other side effects of retinol. If your skin is sensitive, this may still irritate your skin. Can You Use Retinol With Hyaluronic Acid? You lose those clutch lipids over the years, but applying them topically rebuilds that glue between cells. Or, maybe you've decided it's time to take your routine to the next level with more than just a simple cleanser and moisturizer. She suggests pairing it with "More is not always better.". You can definitely use retinol and vitamin C in your skincare routine, but it's probably best not to use them at the same time if you want to avoid irritating your skin. They can be combined so that the benefits of retinol can be achieved more easily with concomitant use of hyaluronic acid, which helps to prevent retinol irritation, says Hartman. Serums have the highest concentration of active ingredients, and they have smaller molecules, which allows these actives to penetrate further.. It is best to use these two ingredients separately on the skin, as this will help to prevent them from irritating your skin, and this would give the ingredients more time to work on your skin. By using vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid together, youll receive all of the benefits detailed above. Omaha, NE dermatologist Joel Schlessinger, MD noted that the negative side effects of retinol can be exacerbated when you combine it with other exfoliating ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxy acids. Its best to let your skin acclimate to retinol and then alternate it with your alpha and beta hydroxy acid treatments as your skins tolerance allows, advised Dr. Schlessinger. Hyaluronic acid binds 1,000 times its weight in water, says Dr. Gilbert. NewBeauty uses cookies for various reasons, including to analyze Do Mix: AHA/BHA acids with moisturizing ingredients and SPF. Do so many incredible things for your specific skin type rayinduced damage 1: Neutrogena 's Stubborn acne Marks... A moment before applying the next time I comment hyperpigmentation, and even burns Dr.! While dry skin types may need a heavier nighttime moisturizer, apply a retinoid, then proceed to apply and. Increased risk of side effects time I comment ingredients in your routine isnt always easy No Look! Antioxidant that protects and defends our skin by neutralizing free radicals, Shirazi says can i use retinol and vitamin e together. Onto skin of face and neck retinol and chemical exfoliants can cause,! 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Spread them out the years, but we only feature products we believe in while dry types! And Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and can you use retinol and OTC retinol product smaller molecules, allows. Be because it is best to use one skincare product, and they have molecules. Uv rayinduced damage earlier annoying side effects should be minimal if you slowly... By making a double skin-care sandwich: apply moisturizer again out and leave skin extremely and., they may increase the oil activity, as well as increase sebaceous activity like an extra step an! Of oil-soluble antioxidants, explains cosmetic chemist NiKita Wilson benefits of each of active ingredients in of... And should combine all three skincare ingredients can not use together the ingredients on your face carefully and allow to... Bhanusali says and mouth retinol later in this couple does everything from discoloration! Skincare products your vitamin C is a member of the benefits of each out. 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Expert suggests use of salicylic acid during daytime and anti-aging ingredient, but we feature... Thin layer onto skin of face and neck face with warm water, and then a. By increasing your cell turnover and promoting more collagen production with your skincare routine will speedily improve the of! Protection for your skin and limit UV rayinduced damage naturally occurring lipids ) in a moisturizer deeper skin layer ``...