What is the best serum to use with retinol?

Author: Diego Hermiston  |  Last update: Friday, April 4, 2025

Best Ingredients to Pair with Retinol In fact, combining retinol with a hyaluronic acid serum prior to application is often recommended to prevent skin irritation. Niacinamide – derived from vitamin B, niacinamides improve skin's natural barrier functions and address signs of aging like skin laxity.

What serums can you use with retinol?

If you're looking to boost hydration, layer your retinol product of choice with a hyaluronic acid serum, which will lock moisture into the skin. On the other hand, if you want to give your skin an antioxidant boost, you can use a CoQ10 serum alongside retinol.

Should I use another serum with retinol?

Yes, you can! In fact, you can mix retinol with Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which is good for hydration, and SPF, which is even more important to use since Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Should you use vitamin C serum if you use retinol?

Retinol is recommended for overnight use only and vitamin C is well suited to apply in the morning. In light of this, using your vitamin C in the morning and your retinol at night is a simple and easy way to ensure that these ingredients won't interfere with one another.

What comes first, vitamin C or retinol?

We recommend applying our vitamin C infused serum - Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate every morning after cleansing. In the evening, after cleansing apply Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum.

How to use Retinol like a Dermatologist | Dr Davin Lim

What not to use with retinol?

Don't combine retinol with alpha or beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, and other retinols or retinoids. Don't skip sunscreen Retinols are usually used as part of nighttime skincare routines, but even when they're applied at night, they can lead to lingering sun sensitivity.

What is the 3 month rule for retinol?

1️⃣ month 1: use retinol every third night of the week. 2️⃣ month 2: use retinol every other night of the week. 3️⃣ month 3: use retinol every night.

Can I use hyaluronic acid with retinol?

The answer is yes. The combination of these two ingredients can help you treat multiple skin concerns and give you a more youthful, radiant complexion. However, it's important to use these ingredients in moderation and in the correct order to avoid any adverse effects.

What is the best moisturizer to use after retinol?

The Best Moisturizers to Use After Retinol

Hyaluronic acid is the ultimate hydrator, she says, while products with ceramides help restore the skin barrier and lock in moisture. She also suggests using a formula that's fragrance-free (to prevent further irritation) and non-comedogenic (to avoid clogging pores).

What is best to combine with retinol serum?

Turn back to this blog post whenever you need a refresher on what to mix with your trusty vitamin A.
  • Ingredients You Can Use with Retinol. ...
  • Niacinamide. ...
  • Vitamin C. ...
  • Hyaluronic Acid. ...
  • Salicylic Acid. ...
  • Azelaic Acid. ...
  • Peptides and Ceramides. ...
  • Sunscreen.

What is the best moisturizer for aging skin?

SkinCeuticals' Triple Lipid Restore is our top pick because it absorbs well and promises deep hydration while providing skin a youthful glow. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream is a close second because it can moisturize and plump skin intensely. Aging is a beautiful thing, but change isn't always easy.

What is the best peptide serum for face?

Our Top Peptide Serums
  • Best for Inflammation: Eighth Day Regenerative Serum, $195.
  • Best for Dullness: Best for Dullness: Drunk Elephant Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum, $82.
  • Best Budget: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum, $32.
  • Best Eye Cream: Dermalogica Phyto Nature Lifting Eye Cream, $127.

What is the best nighttime moisturizer?

14 Best Night Creams for All Skin Types, According to Our Testing
  • Best Overall. Olay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Moisturizer. Read more.
  • Best Value. Roc Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Crème. Read more.
  • Best Anti-Aging. No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream. Read more.

What does retinol purging look like?

For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches. Getting these symptoms can be demotivating, especially if you're already feeling unconfident about your skin.

What to put on face after retinol?

Let the retinol settle for about 20 minutes. Lightly mist your face with water, then immediately apply the hyaluronic acid. (Hyaluronic acid should always be applied to damp skin.)

What is the best retinol serum?

Best retinol serums and treatments
  • The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane Serum. ...
  • PEACH & LILY Retinal For All Renewing Serum. ...
  • Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum. ...
  • La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Face Serum for Fine Lines & Wrinkles. ...
  • e.l.f. Cosmetics Youth Boosting Blue-ty Sleep Night Oil. ...
  • Naturium Retinol Complex Serum.

Which comes 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.

Is 60 too late to start retinol?

A question I hear a lot is, “Is it too late to start using retinol?” Patients in their late 40s, 50s and 60s often wonder if retinol will benefit them at their age, and they ask me if it's simply too late to try this skincare product. The answer is: absolutely not.

What is the 1 2 3 rule for retinol?

We recommend following the 1-2-3 rule: apply retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times for three weeks, then move towards every second night if there are no side effects happening. If you do experience flaking, redness or sensitivity, simply move back to a lower frequency for a week.

What pairs best with retinol?

8 Products That Go Well With Retinol
  • Hydrating Cleansers: Retinol can be drying, so starting your routine with a gentle, hydrating cleanser is crucial. ...
  • Soothing Toners: ...
  • Antioxidant Serums: ...
  • Moisturizers with Ceramides: ...
  • Sunscreen: ...
  • Niacinamide: ...
  • Peptide Products: ...
  • Hydrating Masks:

What are the best hyaluronic acid serums?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum Overall: SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan, $182.
  • Best for Fine Lines: Alastin HA Immerse Serum, $127.
  • Best Custom Serum: Prose Custom Serum, $64.
  • Highest HA Concentration: Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum, $68.

Why does my skin look more wrinkled after using retinol?

The Wrinkle Worsening Myth

Here's the tea: Retinol does NOT make your wrinkles worse. But (and it's a big but), it can sometimes make your skin look worse before it gets better. When you first start using retinol, it's literally speeding up the process of cell turnover.

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