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.
Just take care to avoid using both ingredients at the same time of day, as this can easily lead to irritation. Instead, if your skin can handle both ingredients on the same day, you can try using an AHA in the morning and retinol at night, or vice versa.
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!
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Don't mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) or alpha and beta hydroxy acids, otherwise known as AHAs and BHAs (glycolic acid and salicylic acid). Layering these products one after the other could cause irritation.
BHA Exfoliants? Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) are water-soluble chemical exfoliants, aiding in removing dead skin cells. Beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) are oil-soluble chemical exfoliants, meaning they can penetrate the skin through sebaceous glands.
The duration of skin purging can vary, but it should not last any longer than six weeks, says Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist with a private practice. This is because after six weeks your skin should become used to the ingredients in the product that caused the purge.
Start by cleansing your face and patting it dry, ensuring there is as little residual moisture as possible. Do not apply on wet skin. Next, apply the product evenly like a mask across your face and neck using your fingertips, avoiding the eye area, and leave it on for no more than ten minutes.
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.