What Cannot be mixed with retinol?

Author: Mr. Charles Gorczany  |  Last update: Sunday, July 23, 2023

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

What can you mix retinol with?

While you're better off not mixing retinol with AHAs and BHAs (like glycolic and salicylic acid), retinol and hyaluronic acid are a perfect match. Combining these two actives can mean less fine lines and dry skin — which is a win-win, #letsbefrank.

Can I mix retinol and niacinamide?

You can combine niacinamide with all other serums and creams. You can use it with retinol, Hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, BHAs, or AHAs. Niacinamide and retinol work well together.

Can you use retinol and hyaluronic acid together?

Can hyaluronic acid and retinol be used together? Unlike many other skin care ingredients out there, hyaluronic acid and retinol can be used in the same skincare routine. Not only that, but using them together can help to lessen the severity of the side effects that often come with retinol usage.

What ingredient cancels out retinol?

Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide

The ingredients can cancel the positive effects of each other out and leave skin extremely dry and irritated.

Skin care ingredients NOT TO MIX| Dr Dray

Do and don'ts with retinol?

Use Retinol Only at Night and Wear SPF Every Day

"Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product," explains Bowe, who instructs patients to only use retinoids at night and be diligent about applying a daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher during the day.

Does vitamin C cancel out retinol?

Retinol stabilizes when combined with vitamin C, increasing its effectiveness. Vitamin C and Retinol form a protective barrier over the skin that fights skin damage and aging. This barrier does not mean you can layer the two, one on top of the other, because irritation and sensitivity may occur.

What serums should not be mixed?

6 Skin-Care Ingredient Combinations That Don't Mix
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Alpha Hydroxy Acid. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Vitamin C. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Salicylic Acid. ...
  • Soap-Based Cleanser and Vitamin C. ...
  • Two Products With the Same Actives.

Can I use vitamin C and retinol together?

There's no problem with using both retinol and vitamin C as part of your skincare routine, dermatologists say. In fact, Shirazi calls this combo a "power couple" when it comes to aging well.

What goes first retinol or hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid should be layered before retinol in case of dry or sensitive skin, as it helps create a barrier between retinol and your skin, offsetting irritation. Must-mention: let your hyaluronic acid serum dry before following with retinol as, if applied to damp skin, there's a higher risk of redness and dryness.

Can I use retinol with salicylic acid?

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.

What goes first niacinamide or retinol?

If you're using these ingredients in separate products, it's recommended to apply niacinamide first and to then follow with retinol. Applying niacinamide first can help protect your skin from the effects of retinol.

What not to mix with hyaluronic acid?

“Hyaluronic acid plays well with most ingredients, while caution must be taken when using retinol in combination with alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, and some types of vitamin C.” Linkner echoes the tip about avoiding vitamin C.

Can you put anything on your face after retinol?

Mix your retinol with your moisturizer, or apply your moisturizer first and then your retinol. Always use sunscreen the morning after you apply retinol. Your skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight, so it's important to protect it.

Should you apply vitamin C or retinol first?

If you're determined to use vitamin C and retinol together in the same routine, you'll need to make sure to put enough time between them. It's also essential to apply your vitamin C first because it has the lower pH of the two ingredients.

How long should you wait to apply moisturizer after retinol?

Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)

Retinol is also an ingredient that should be left to absorb sufficiently into the skin before following up with another product. “It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product.

Can I use vitamin C and retinol same night?

In short: yes, you can use vitamin C and retinol together; try retinol at night and vitamin C during the day—always with sunscreen.

What serums should you not mix with vitamin C?

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.

When should I use retinol in my routine?

Retinol Routine Order Morning and Night
  1. Always use retinol at night.
  2. Do not use retinol in the morning.
  3. For most skin types, serums that contain niacinamide and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) go in step 3- the treatment product step.
  4. Moisturizers come after the serum and retinoids go on top of the moisturizer.

What kind of toner to use with retinol?

Rodney recommends looking for a gentle toner that contains hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C. "Hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates dry, sagging skin, while retinol both increases collagen production deeper in the skin and increases the turnover of surface skin cells," she explains.

Can you use retinol every night?

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.

What order should serums be applied?

Order Matters: Serums are applied after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer. If you don't use toner, then apply serum directly after cleansing. Keep It Simple: It's best to layer no more than two serums at a time. Too many layers can possibly prevent the ingredients from absorbing as effectively.

Where not to put retinol?

'The eye skin is very delicate and much less sebaceous than facial skin. It may become very irritated and if you apply it too close to the lash line you can even develop irritation of the eyes themselves' says Dr Shotter.

When should you avoid retinol?

Also avoid retinol if you're going to be spending a lot of time in direct sunlight without proper sun protection. Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it's important to use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day — even when it looks cloudy.

How do you know if retinol is working?

You CAN see results in a few days, but you MIGHT NOT see results until after a few months of use.
  1. If you see improvement early on in treatment, it might not just be in your head.
  2. Improvements can take a while to see with retinoids, so stick with it for a few months before giving up.

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