You should use retinol at night, as it can break down in light and make your skin more prone to sunburn. In the morning, use BHA to get rid of any dead skin cells caused by your nighttime retinol application.
“To compensate for being overly dry, skin will ramp up oil production, which can create a vicious cycle of dryness and acne,” says Sikora. The fix: Use salicylic in the morning and your retinoid at night.
Don't Mix: AHA/BHA acids with retinol. "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. In fact, AHA and BHA should not typically be used together with retinoids on the same day," explains Dr.
Thus, adding exfoliation to this can cause or increase the potential irritation." So, if you use a stronger product, like a Retinol, make sure you space out its application from your exfoliating products. Since Retinols and the like tend to be used at night, an a.m. scrub might be better for you.
When should I use a skincare acid? Both AHAs and BHAs can be used day or night. Some products are formulated to be used at night as an overnight peel, while others (often serums) are meant to be used in the morning to gently slough off any dead skin cells.
Can you use an AHA or a BHA together? “It is indeed safe to use AHAs and BHAs together. They target different actions (as discussed above) so they have different benefits. In essence, BHAs disrupt the connections between dead cells whilst AHAs cause dead cells to detach and slough away.
Following with a soothing serum, replenishing moisturizer, and SPF during the day will help to protect and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. Either way, sunscreen is absolutely necessary when using AHAs or BHAs!
Astringents, toners, and other drying agents. Retinoids tend to dry out your skin—so the last thing you want to do is deprive it of moisture further. "It is best to avoid other drying agents when using retinoids such as toners, astringents, and medicated cleansers. These products cause further irritation," says Dr.
Generally, it is not recommended to use a Salicylic Acid cleanser or leave-on exfoliant with Retinol since it can lead to dry skin, leading to other irritation. However, for people with oily acne-prone skin or oily mature skin, the combination can be beneficial.
Combining Salicylic Acid and Retinol
While using salicylic acid and retinol in your skincare regimen is perfectly safe and can make it more effective, it may lead to dry skin when used too frequently.
The simple answer is yes. They complement each other well. Being oil soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, but it can also dehydrate and irritate skin.
They're both chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin. Some say AHAs and BHAs have anti-aging effects, like smoothing fine lines and improving the texture of skin.
Retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, they should be used at night because some types are deactivated by light and air. It's important to start slowly and allow your skin time to adjust. Using too much too quickly can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.
When first starting a retinol regimen, or if your skin is sensitive, it's best not to combine retinol with other potentially irritating ingredients, such as alpha or beta hydroxy acids or physical exfoliants and scrubs. The best product you can use in conjunction with retinol, according to Dr.
BHAs are thought to self-neutralize after about 20 minutes, so most skincare experts advise letting it fully dry for at least 15 minutes before continuing with your regular skincare routine (i.e. essences, serums, moisturizers, spot treatments).
When it comes to AHAs, it's crucial not to use too much, too soon. "Do not overuse an alpha-hydroxy-acid product," confirms Bolder. “Once every other day is plenty, unless you are on a programme with an expert that says otherwise.” However, it is often safe to use BHA daily.
Acids - The most common acids that can cause skin purging are AHA's and BHA's, which include salicylic acid, malic acid, glycolic acid, and mandelic acid.
If you have time, you can use hydroxy acids and retinol sequentially. After applying an AHA or BHA product, wait for 30 minutes to allow your skin's pH to return to normal, and then apply the retinol product.
Skin Care Ingredients To Avoid Using With The Ordinary AHA BHA Peel. Since this has a high acid content with an exfoliation that is quite intense to the skin, I would recommend avoiding any products with Vitamin C, retinol, or other acids in them after applying this peel to avoid further irritation.
Can you use niacinamide and BHA together? Yes, you can use niacinamide and BHA together within the same routine, but for optimal results, layer them as separate steps, rather than mixing the formulas together.
Still, you don't want to layer AHAs and BHAs on top of one another. These are both exfoliators, so using both can cause dryness and irritation. You can alternate products by using one type in the morning and the other during your nighttime routine. You could also use AHAs and BHAs on alternating days.
AHA is best for dry skin and surface-level skin concerns like acne scars. BHAs are best for oily and acne-prone skin types. You can use both by buying products with both ingredients, or by alternating products. Below are 10 AHA/BHA products worth checking out, and where you can find them.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
These help to improve skin tone and texture and prevent breakouts. “This combination makes the cleanser a great option for those with acne scars and blemishes, as it helps to improve skin tone,” Garshick explains.