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.
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.
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.
Glycolic acid is an active so it goes on after cleansing before other products. The HA and niacinamide go after the glycolic in whichever order you prefer, then moisturizer. And don't forget sunscreen in the morning.
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.
If your skin tolerates retinol well, combining it with glycolic acid is a good idea given their different actions. A study has shown that the combination of glycolic acid and retinol proves to be effective in treating acne and brown acne scars.
Glycolic acid and niacinamide.
Indeed, niacinamide used with AHA's like glycolic acid and lactic acid has no effect and can even cause redness. Since niacinamide has a pH of about 5-7, it can actually increase the lower pH of glycolic acid, which is about 3-4, and negate its properties.
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.
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.
Use cool compresses to soothe minor irritation. Gently wash your face twice a day for the first day or two after your chemical peel. Use a non-irritating moisturizer to keep your face from drying. You should also avoid over-moisturizing, which will prohibit the damaged skin from flaking properly.
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.
Use these ingredients 30 minutes apart
If you are planning to use niacinamide and glycolic acid on the same day, here's what you can do - you can layer these active ingredients maintaining a gap of at least 30 minutes between the application time.
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.
Because Glycolic Acid exfoliates the top layer of the skin, we would recommend avoiding any other products that also promote skin cell turnover. This would include ingredients such as Retinoids and Copper Peptides. Combining multiple resurfacing products may increase the chances of developing skin sensitivities.
Don't use glycolic acid and retinol at the same time in your routine. Start by introducing one of them and use it consistently for a week, then switch to the other for a week. You may want to take additional time if you know you have sensitive skin.
The American Society for Dermatologic Study has confirmed that glycolic acid can be applied to the skin at two levels. In low or "superficial" amounts, this alpha-hydroxy acid penetrates only the outer layer of skin to gently exfoliate it and reveal the new, less damaged skin underneath.
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.
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.
Moisturize: After allowing the glycolic acid to absorb into the skin, apply a moisturizer to hydrate and nourish the skin. Sun Protection: In the morning, always remember to apply sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
To achieve smoother, healthier, and more radiant skin, start by removing your makeup and then cleanse your face. Also, ensure your skin is properly dried: applying on wet skin will be less effective and less well-tolerated, as the presence of water makes the acid more irritating.
AHAs/BHAs and Retinol: Combining exfoliating acids (like glycolic acid or salicylic acid) with retinol can lead to excessive dryness and irritation.
Retinoids and Glycolic Acid
Retinoids (including retinol) are fantastic for boosting cell turnover and fighting aging. However, pairing them with glycolic acid is like inviting two energetic party crashers into a small room—they can overwhelm your skin.
1)Retinol and Vitamin C
If anything, your face will be left feeling extremely uncomfortable. “Both of these actives have the potential to irritate your skin,” Chan says. Minimise redness and flaking by keeping your favourite retinol and vitamin C serums separate.