Once you have applied a glycolic acid toner, the best product to follow this with is a serum that enriched in with a hydrating ingredient, such as hyaluronic acid. As effective as glycolic acid is at exfoliating the skin, it can sometimes cause some mild irritation, no matter how much your skin has built a tolerance.
Hyaluronic Acid acts a humectant by pulling moisture into your skin, making it ideal to use with Glycolic Acid, which can be drying or irritating at times. You can opt to layer Hyaluronic Acid over Glycolic Acid or use Hyaluronic Acid in the morning and Glycolic Acid in the evening.
Glycolic acid and niacinamide.
The layering of these ingredients is counterproductive. Indeed, niacinamide used with AHA's like glycolic acid and lactic acid has no effect and can even cause redness.
Apply vitamin C in the morning and glycolic acid at night. Glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid: Since hyaluronic acid loads up skin with moisture, it makes for an excellent pairing with glycolic acid. Look for a product that combines both for easiest application, though you can also layer serums.
Using glycolic acid and vitamin C together can have a massive, positive effect on your skin — if done in the right way. Applying your glycolic acid product first to clear the skin, followed by your vitamin C product, means that both products can be as effective as possible.
Combining glycolic acid and lactic acid can be quite potent and is generally not recommended due to the increased risk of irritation. Both acids are effective exfoliants, and using them together can over-exfoliate the skin.
Absolutely! In fact, these two ingredients are a skincare dream team. Glycolic acid exfoliates and renews your skin, but it can sometimes cause dryness or irritation. That's where hyaluronic acid comes in—it replenishes moisture and soothes your skin after exfoliation.
For even-looking skin, pair Vitamin C derivatives with Glycolic Acid. For smoother-looking skin, pair Retinaldehyde and Hyaluronic Acid. For clearer-looking skin, pair Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. For hydrated skin, pair Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.
It is said that your skin needs some time between each ingredient that you apply to let it completely absorbed into the skin to make it work efficiently. We can safely say that niacinamide and glycolic acid can work if you choose to use these together but after a gap of at least 30 minutes.
Next, take an adequate amount of glycolic acid toner on your palm or a cotton pad and gently wipe your face and neck. Follow up with a hydrating face serum and face moisturizer for best results. Lastly, use an SPF or sunscreen before stepping out under the harmful UV rays.
Hydrate and moisturise: Use hydrating products like serums or moisturisers after using glycolic acid. These aid in rehydrating and nourishing the skin. Look for products that contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or natural oils to help maintain a healthy skin barrier.
The short answer is yes! Both these ingredients are extremely concentrated and have the potential to cause dryness, redness, or peeling if used incorrectly. Thus, it's important to include them slowly into your skincare routine and follow a few essential guidelines to benefit from mixing glycolic acid with retinol.
Our top pick for the best night cream is Kiehl's Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream, as it's great for all skin types and provides long-lasting hydration. Another fantastic option is La Roche-Posay's Double Repair Moisturizer, which leaves the skin feeling nourished, soft, and supple—all for under $25.
Otherwise, a good way to incorporate retinol into your beauty routine in addition to glycolic acid would be to alternate them every other night: one night using retinol, another night using a no-rinse exfoliating treatment followed by a moisturizing cream.
What NOT to mix with Glycolic Acid. Retinol, other AHAs/BHAs, Vitamin C: Using these ingredients alongside Glycolic Acid in the same routine could irritate the skin. However, alternating them between your morning and evening skincare routine means that you can enjoy the benefits without the risk of damaging your skin.
However, as with all chemical exfoliants, using glycolic acid too frequently, at too high a concentration, or incorrectly can result in skin irritation or damage.
Hyaluronic Acid is one of the best hydrating ingredients, as it can hold up to 1,000 times its own mass in hydration. Therefore, if you're using Glycolic Acid, we highly recommend following up with a Hyaluronic Acid treatment. This will help undo the drying side effects and restore balance within the skin.
Yes, but glycolic acid is better for normal to dry skin, while vitamin C works well for all skin types, especially those prone to dullness or pigmentation.
Can you use a Vitamin C Serum and Glycolic Acid together? Technically yes, but proceed with caution! Generally speaking, some forms of Vitamin C (like L-Ascorbic Acid) and Glycolic Acid are not suitable to be layered directly on top of each other.