Should you put retinol on before or after moisturizer?

Author: Wilhelm Hammes III  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 3, 2022

To apply a serum with retinol correctly, Smooth it onto clean skin before your moisturizer. Your serum will have a thinner consistency than your moisturizer, which is what determines the application order.

Should I put moisturizer on after retinol?

Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.

How long should you wait to apply moisturizer after retinol?

And now another rule to keep in mind: Many prescription-strength retinoids suggest users wait upwards of 20 minutes post-cleansing before putting retinol on their skin and 20 more minutes before putting anything else on, according to Reddit.

Should I wash off retinol 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.

How long should I leave retinol on my face before moisturizer?

But for those using retinol serums or capsules, and then following immediately with a night cream, you may have been sabotaging your efforts by not leaving a lengthy gap. When it comes to the rest of our skincare products, most experts agree that a minute or so is all that's needed in-between steps.

Should I put retinol on before or after moisturizer?

What should I apply after retinol?

She also says to stick with gentle cleansers (she likes CeraVe), and to always follow your retinol with a moisturizer, especially those with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. If your skin is really irritated, you can try buffering, where you apply moisturizer before retinol to reduce side effects.

What step is retinol in skincare routine?

Always apply Retinol products at night, as sunlight can diminish their power. If you're a prescription-strength user, use Retinol as the first layer on your skin after washing your face with a cleansing cream and before applying your anti-aging moisturizer.

How long should you wait to put on moisturizer after serum?

To allow serums to fully absorb, apply and wait 5 minutes before moisturizing. Take note: Well-formulated serums absorb quickly and disappear into your skin. If they leave an oily or sticky residue, they're not doing their job well.

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 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.

Do you apply retinol before or after 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.

Can I put retinol under my 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 you apply retinol on neck?

Apply topical retinoids

Retinoids, which are topical vitamin A-based derivatives, may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production. If you use retinoids on your face, extend the treatment area to your neck and chest at night. Retinoid products are available by prescription or over the counter.

Can you put retinol on your lips?

The problem is, retinol can be irritating when applied straight to the lips (so keep your prescription-strength cream off your mouth for the time being). But Verso's formula contains a gentle derivative, called retinol 8, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth overtime.

Can you mix retinol and vitamin C?

The truth: You can use vitamin C with retinol and retinoids. Get them as separate products so you can tailor the concentration of each and use them at the right time of day. Although vitamin C can be used day or night, it is ideal for daytime use, while retinol and retinoids should be applied at night.

Does retinol go on before or after serum?

You may be advised to use it after a moisturizer, which buffers the retinol and lessens risk of irritation. If it's a non-prescription retinol, apply it according to what type of product it is—a retinol moisturizer will act as the moisturizer step of your routine, while a retinol serum will act as the serum step.

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.

What goes first retinol or niacinamide or hyaluronic acid?

When it comes to mixing all three together, the best order to apply them is by starting with retinol, followed by hyaluronic acid, and finally niacinamide. By applying retinol first onto a fully cleansed skin the ingredient can penetrate into the lower layers.

Can I use retinol serum and retinol cream together?

In order to get the best effects, Dr. Tareen recommends not diluting your retinol by mixing it with lotion. If you need to, she recommends applying layers of moisturizer instead. "It's not wrong to mix in moisturizer, just less effective."

Can niacinamide and retinol be used together?

Using niacinamide before retinol works well. So does combining them into one product. A 2016 study found that a product containing retinol, niacinamide, hexylresorcinol, and resveratrol improved fine lines, sallowness, wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, and skin tone.

What serum goes well with retinol?

A combination of retinoids and humectants such as niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid can help slow down TEWLs during application of retinoid. Hyaluronic Acid is an excellent ingredient to alleviate some of these concerns.

Is niacinamide better than retinol?

Niacinamide and retinol are popular skin care ingredients that can treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging. While they have similar effects, retinol is more potent. However, it may also cause more significant side effects. It is possible to use the ingredients alone or in combination.

How can I make retinol more effective?

10 Ways to Make Your Retinol Work Better
  1. 1 / 10. Put it on when your skin is dry. ...
  2. 2 / 10. Buy quality products. ...
  3. 3 / 10. Start slow. ...
  4. 4 / 10. Use sunscreen with it. ...
  5. 5 / 10. Put it on first. ...
  6. 6 / 10. Pair it with the proper follow-up products. ...
  7. 7 / 10. Find the right product for you. ...
  8. 8 / 10. Use it at night.

How do you use 1% retinol?

How to Apply Retinol for Best Results
  1. Step 1: Wash your face and apply eye cream. ...
  2. Step 2: Wait a few minutes until your skin is completely dry. ...
  3. Step 3: Take a pea-size amount of your retinol and, starting at your chin, apply with your fingertips in upward and outward motions.
  4. Step 4: Finish with your moisturizer.

What goes first vitamin C or retinol?

It's best to apply Vitamin C before Retinol, as Vitamin C has a lower pH than Retinol. Once your skin absorbs the Vitamin C serum, your skin will return to its regular pH levels after 30 minutes or so. (You want your skin to return to its normal pH levels so vitamin C doesn't lower the pH of retinol.)

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