“While hyaluronic acid helps in hydrating your skin, glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells,” he explains. It's one of the safest alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) you'll find in skincare products—meaning, unlike hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid actually is an acid.
Can I Combine AHA/BHA With Hyaluronic Acid? Yes! In fact, this is an ideal combination. Hyaluronic acid doesn't function like an AHA or BHA in that it does not strip your skin — it's actually highly nourishing and hydrating, so having “acid” in the name is a bit misleading.
Alpha hydroxy acids include citric acid (found in citrus fruits), glycolic acid (found in sugar cane), lactic acid (found in sour milk and tomato juice), malic acid (found in apples), tartaric acid (found in grapes), and others.
AHAs are primarily used to exfoliate your skin. In fact, this is the foundation for all of the other benefits AHAs offer. Exfoliation refers to a process where the skin cells on the surface shed off. This helps remove dead skin cells but also makes way for new skin cell generation.
According to Dr. Koo, retinol and glycolic (as well as other AHAs) have different functions. While glycolic effectively removes debris from the skin, retinol stimulates cell regeneration as well as the production of collagen and elastin, which lessens the appearance of wrinkles.
Can you use lactic acid and hyaluronic acid together? Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that every, and I mean every single skin type can use. With its high volumes of water and hydrating abilities you'll be mad not to include this ingredient in your routine.
Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.
Glycolic acid, lactic and citric acid are a few acids commonly known or referred to as alpha-hydroxy acids.
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid , or AHA, used in over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products and professional treatments. Lactic acid is used to remove dead skin cells, lighten dark spots, and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
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.
Alpha hydroxy acid products that come in concentrations of 4 to 10 percent are not successful in hindering melanin production as well as will not lighten the skin of discolorations.
Though there are seven types of alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic and lactic acids are widely used in skin care products. They help exfoliate, lighten the skin, boost collagen, reduce hyperpigmentation, treat acne, and prevent sun damage.
Higher concentrations of the active ingredients in OTC products are buffered, and therefore neutralized, to prevent peeling. These OTC AHA products are not known to improve skin wrinkling. Improvements with these or prescription products last only as long as the product is used.
It is because of the exfoliating benefits of glycolic acid I suggest using it first as you'll find that the hyaluronic acid enriched product you use after will absorb quickly and effectively into the skin.
Absolutely! Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are both effective hydrating ingredients that both provide humectant properties. This means that they are both able to draw moisture from the atmosphere surrounding the face or skincare products that are applied on the skin and lock it into place.
Yes, you can use Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide every day, adding them up to your day and night routine.
The main difference between the two acids is the fact that hyaluronic acid doesn't perform exfoliating properties unlike lactic acid. Lactic acid is able to slough away the build-up of dead skin cells, which can result in breakouts, flaky patches of skin and lack lustre complexion.
Alpha hydroxy acids seem to work by removing the top layers of dead skin cells. They can also increase the thickness of deeper layers of skin, promoting firmness.
Because glycolic acid can work deeper into the skin layer, it's generally recommended for uneven skin texture. In which case, if you have acne scars and wrinkles, glycolic acid is for you. On the other hand, lactic acid is a gentler exfoliant that's suitable for dry to sensitive skin types.
AHAs and BHAs both work as exfoliants, but they work in different ways. AHAs work by reducing the concentration of calcium ions in the skin. This promotes the shedding of skin cells at the surface. BHAs are also a skin peeling agent, but salicylic acid has additional antibacterial actions.
Alpha hydroxy acids are better used on aged, thickened, sun-damaged skin where breakouts are not a problem. Salicylic acid (BHA), causes the cells of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin) to become "unglued," allowing the dead skin cells to slough off, unclogging the openings of the skin pores.
Glycolic acid is typically the favored AHA for especially effective exfoliation. "There's a reason glycolic is the acid used the most in anti-aging products and doctors' office peels," Ranella Hirsch, M.D., a Massachusetts-based, board-certified dermatologist, tells Allure.
When using hyaluronic acid and retinol, apply retinol first, then hyaluronic acid.
No matter which form you choose to incorporate your hyaluronic acid, it should be close to the final step in your routine. If you are using it in serum form, you'll apply it immediately after your retinol. If it is part of your moisturizer, it will be your last step.
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.