Can I use glycolic acid and retinol together?

Author: Trevion Hackett  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Don't use glycolic acid and retinol at the same time in your routine. Start by introducing one of them and use it consistently for a week, then switch to the other for a week. You may want to take additional time if you know you have sensitive skin.

Is it OK to use glycolic acid with retinol?

Can you use retinol and glycolic acid at the same time? Yes and no. You can use them at different times on the same day if your skin can tolerate it, but generally speaking it's best to alternate days to avoid sensitivity.

Can I use glycolic acid and retinol on the same day?

It's a common misconception that using glycolic acid and retinol together cancels out their benefits. If you want to use both products, you absolutely can. Just make sure to use them at alternating times of the day or days of the week. Using glycolic acid and retinol together can be great for treating acne.

What goes on first retinol or glycolic acid?

Start first by incorporating a glycolic acid product into your daily routine in your twenties, then consider adding retinol into your skin care regimen by your thirties when collagen and elastin production starts to slow down a bit more.

What can you not mix with glycolic acid?

But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together. AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.

Can You Use Glycolic Acid & Retinol in the Same Skincare Routine? | Skincare with Susan Yara

What can I pair with glycolic acid?

One ingredient that can be layered with glycolic acid with no worry of irritation is hyaluronic acid as this humectant can instantly hydrate the skin and aid replenishment, this is an ideal teammate for glycolic acid as it avoids any chances of the skin feeling tight, dry or irritated.

Can I use a retinol serum and retinol cream together?

The best product you can use in conjunction with retinol, according to Dr. Zeichner, is a moisturizer, which can help hydrate skin and reduce the risk of irritation from retinol. “Some people even prefer to mix their retinol with a moisturizing cream to dilute it out,” he says.

Can you use glycolic acid everyday?

Is Glycolic Acid okay for everyday use? Depending on the concentration, yes, you can use Glycolic Acid every day. If you're new to chemical exfoliants, you should work up to using it every day slowly rather than overdoing it at the beginning.

What acids can you use with retinol?

Retinol is usually an active ingredient in creams or serums. Using a gentle moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid can help to balance the effects of hydroxy acids and retinol.

What should you not use with retinol?

Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.

When should I use glycolic acid in routine?

Glycolic acid should always be applied in the evening, as it makes your skin sensitive to sunlight. Applying it at night gives ample time for it to do its magic without a higher risk or damaging your skin in the sun.

Can I use retinol every night?

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.

Can I leave glycolic acid on overnight?

You can leave it on your face overnight and let it absorb into your skin. Wash it out the next day with water. However, remember that this can cause sun sensitivity and even aggravate acne in a few cases.

Do you put moisturizer on after glycolic acid?

In the evenings, we recommend using your glycolic acid product followed by a moisturizer. Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream—which is scented with soothing lavender and won't rub off on your pillow—is a great pick. Exfoliation can be drying, so using a moisturizer is key.

Does glycolic acid remove blackheads?

Blackheads can be solved with consistent – and gentle – exfoliation. And for gentle, effective exfoliation there is no better ingredient to use than glycolic acid. Glycolic acid banishes blackheads with a trifecta of blemish-busting properties.

Can I use two retinol products together?

Layering products correctly is important if you want your products to work. If you place one product on your skin, like a serum, and follow up with another product whose molecules are smaller than the first, like a toner, then the second product cannot penetrate the first layer.

How can I make retinol work faster?

“Retinoids break down quickly when exposed to sunlight. For that reason, it's best to use a retinol product at night when skin repairs itself,” explained Dr. Haberman. “In general, anti-aging ingredients will be more effective if applied before bedtime,” he added.

Do you need to wash retinol off in the morning?

Rouleau says the best time to use a scrub is in the morning. Overnight you've loosened up dead skin cells with your glycolic acid or retinol products, making the morning a perfect time to brush them off.

Can I use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night?

If your skin can tolerate both ingredients with no dryness or irritation, you can eventually begin using one in the morning and one in the evening. Just take care to avoid applying any products containing active ingredients, like vitamin C, directly after using glycolic acid.

Is 15 glycolic acid too strong?

According to Isaac, the ideal percentage of glycolic acid for at-home use would be 8 percent to 30 percent, with 30 being what she called the “high normal.” “Most face washes are somewhere between 8 to 10 percent. Creams can be 15 percent and be used daily.

Can I use glycolic acid with niacinamide?

You can actually layer your glycolic acid and niacinamide together, at the same time of day—just 30 minutes apart. When layering products, start with the one that has the lowest pH first.

Can you put retinol under eyes?

Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.

Can I use 1% retinol everyday?

Is it safe to use retinol every day? For most people, yes — once your skin is used to it, that is. That said, there are some people who may not want to use it frequently or at all.

Can I use retinol and hyaluronic acid together?

What Are the Benefits of Combining the Two? Good news: Retinol and hyaluronic acid actually have a synergistic effect. “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.

Which comes first niacinamide or retinol?

Niacinamide and retinol can be combined in one product, which may be easier and more convenient. But they're also available as separate products. If you're using these ingredients in separate products, it's recommended to apply niacinamide first and to then follow with retinol.

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