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.
Salicylic acid and vitamin C are both effective products on their own but, when combined, they can be even more beneficial. Whether you're looking to brighten your skin, reduce the likelihood of blemishes or just help slow down the skin's natural aging process, these ingredients may be just what you're looking for.
Can niacinamide and salicylic acid be used together? 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.
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.
Hyaluronic acid is a skin hydrator, not an exfoliant like salicylic acid. You can definitely use both. In fact, applying hyaluronic acid with your salicylic acid is a very good idea. Salicylic acid can be a little drying to the skin because it's job is to absord excess oil.
Both salicylic acid and vitamin C are also more acidic, and you'll find that vitamin C absorbs into the skin rapidly. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand will increase the skin's acidity making it easier for vitamin C to make its way into the skin rapidly.
Finding a good moisturizer for acne-prone skin is especially important if you're using a treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can dry out the complexion. According to Dr. Hayag, water-based products containing humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid are ideal.
Salicylic acid topical has no listed serious interactions with other drugs. Salicylic acid topical has no listed moderate interactions with other drugs.
Salicylic acid will help open up your pores, and the newly unclogged pores will require proper hydration to keep your skin healthy and fresh. Thus, it is recommended to layer your skin with moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid after applying the salicylic serum.
Each ingredient on its own has a risk of overly drying or dehydrating the skin, so combining them effectively doubles that risk. However, that shouldn't stop you from taking advantage of their benefits. To help reduce the risk of dehydrated skin, separate the use of salicylic acid and retinol in your skin care routine.
"If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." However, if you are using an exfoliant that has salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advises only using the product three times per week, to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.
It is possible to use both salicylic acid and vitamin C on the same day at the same time if you're using products intended to work together synergistically.
The first way is to use them at different times of the day. You can apply your niacinamide in the morning to hydrate your skin for the day. Then apply your salicylic acid product at night for at least thirty minutes before you use your night creams and moisturizers.
Usually, it's recommended that you use hyaluronic acid after salicylic acid to prevent dryness. However, if your hyaluronic acid is in your cleanser and your salicylic acid is in your serum, then you would apply your hyaluronic acid first. Just be sure to use a moisturizer after your salicylic product.
Yes, it's considered best for your skin and the protective skin barrier to apply a moisturiser after using salicylic 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.
If you are planning to use retinol and BHA together, to maintain optimal skin health and pH, Dr. Henry recommends alternating use of the two ingredients: salicylic acid in the morning and then retinoic acid at night. Being aware of overuse is crucial to avoid disrupting your skin's protective barrier.
Another option is to only use these active ingredients at night, alternating between them. So, one night you would apply your salicylic acid to bare skin after cleansing. The next night, you would apply your retinol instead. You can even change up the frequency depending on your goals and what your skin can tolerate.
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.
You may wait about 30 minutes after applying salicylic acid, to give your skin the chance to absorb the product and regulate its pH to a more neutral level. Then apply your niacinamide product, knowing that your skin is ready to take it in.
It is considered the best idea to apply niacinamide before salicylic acid. This is because the humectant traits of niacinamide ensure the natural skin barrier contains the correct levels of water.