Retinol is perhaps the best studied ingredient we have to find the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Zeichner, who recommends this cream because “it uses a stabilized form of retinol in a moisturizing delivery system that minimizes potential irritation.”
You can obtain some level of exfoliation from each one. However, each ingredient can be used to achieve different skin care goals. If you're looking for an all-inclusive anti-aging treatment, then an AHA may be the best fit. A BHA may better suited if you want to calm down inflammation and get rid of acne.
“Glycolic acid is highly effective for rejuvenating the skin,” says Dr Goldman, cosmetic surgeon in Perth, Australia. “While hyaluronic acid helps in hydrating your skin, glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells,” he explains.
In addition to reducing wrinkles and reversing the signs of sun damage, glycolic acid has another anti-aging superpower. Collagen is a protein found in all of the body's organs and tissues, including the skin.
Is glycolic acid or retinol better for acne scarring? Simply put: retinols. They work at a deeper level than glycolic acid to stimulate collagen and elastin production to smooth the skin's surface and improve texture and tone.
The beauty of glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid is the fact you can use both together! Quite often you'll find when there is a build-up of dead skin cells the complexion can begin to look dull, dry, and lacklustre with fine lines and wrinkles appearing to look worse than they are.
While hyaluronic acid is an incredible moisturizing agent, a vitamin C serum is a protective ingredient that works against sun damage and discoloration. While both ingredients can add a new level to your skin routine, one might be more essential to your skin's health than the other.
Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C Together? Not all powerful skincare ingredients can be mixed, but hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are two that become even stronger when paired with one another. These ingredients can provide both immediate and lasting results when used together in anti-aging formulations.
Hyaluronic acid doesn't function like an AHA or BHA in that it does not strip your skin — it's actually highly nourishing and hydrating, so having “acid” in the name is a bit misleading. Hyaluronic acid is great for applying after any exfoliating acids.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants that can totally transform your skin game. While AHA helps renew the skin's surface, BHA gets deeper into the pores to remove dead cells and excess sebum. Alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy and Vitamin C are all acidic ingredients.
The main BHA exfoliants you'll see in skincare products are: Salicylic acid: The most common BHA, and also the strongest. However, it is not as irritating as glycolic acid (the strongest AHA) because of its large molecule size and anti-inflammatory nature.
Vitamin C. As you age, your body makes less collagen and elastin, which keep skin strong, flexible, and resilient. The antioxidants in vitamin C may boost the amount of collagen and minimize fine lines, wrinkles, and scars. Vitamin C is in some skin care products such as creams and lotions.
Engelman agrees: "Retinol is the most potent ingredient that helps build collagen and elastin, which leads to tighter, smoother skin."This mixture has the added bonus of hyaluronic acid, which "can smooth, firm, and tighten the appearance of the skin," Dr. Bowe says.
Retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, they should be used at night because some types are deactivated by light and air. It's important to start slowly and allow your skin time to adjust. Using too much too quickly can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.
So, should I use vitamin C or retinol for wrinkles? Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.
You should use hyaluronic acid after retinol. And to maximise the benefits, you should use retinol first and then wait at least 30 minutes before applying hyaluronic acid.
Is it good to use hyaluronic acid every day? Yup! "Hyaluronic acid is safe and beneficial to use everyday for maintaining skin hydration," says Dr.
One study even recommends applying a vitamin C serum every eight hours, or twice daily for the pinnacle of protection. Vitamin C has photoprotective properties and staves off oxidative stress from the free radicals we meet throughout our day.
Is it a good idea to combine Vitamin C, Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid in a skincare routine? Yes. These ingredients work well when used individually and even better when paired together.
Glycolic acid is an effective exfoliant, meaning it can remove dead skin cells. It's well suited to reducing hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. If you have acne-prone skin, salicylic acid is usually a better option. It can get rid of excess sebum and prevent or treat acne.
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.
After using an exfoliating toner enriched with glycolic acid you should follow it with a nourishing and hydrating moisture. Opting for a formula that contains moisturising actives, such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide will help soothe and calm the skin counteracting the drying effects of the potent AHA.