"If you have dry, irritated skin that is lacking in moisture, choosing a product with hyaluronic acid would be my recommendation," Hartman says. "Anyone with acne-prone skin, or someone who is looking to even out tone and fine lines and wrinkles would benefit from using retinol."
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 hyaluronic acid and retinol be used together? Unlike many other skin care ingredients out there, hyaluronic acid and retinol can be used in the same skincare routine. Not only that, but using them together can help to lessen the severity of the side effects that often come with retinol usage.
Glycolic acid is a fantastic anti-aging agent that seems to do it all. It's very effective at exfoliating skin and reducing fine lines, preventing acne, fading dark spots, increasing skin thickness, and evening out skin tone and texture.
There's a reason it's ubiquitous: Not only does hyaluronic acid do a killer job when it comes to moisturizing the skin, but it minimizes signs of aging, since plump, hydrated skin makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible.
Treatment Options for Aging Skin
For early signs of aging, treatments that use retinoids, vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids may be enough. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling,ultrasound energy devices, or laser resurfacing may be an option for moderate to severe facial sun damage.
Hyaluronic acid helps skin stretch and flex and reduces skin wrinkles and lines. Hyaluronic acid is also proven to help wounds heal faster and can reduce scarring.
People in Korea are less into facial fillers and favor injectables that replenish and boost collagen production on a cellular level, like Sculptra, Dr. Lee says. Consequently, hyaluronic acid-filled syringes, like Restylane and Juvéderm, are more likely used to help moisturize the skin on a cellular level.
Good news: Retinol and hyaluronic acid actually have a synergistic effect. “They can be combined so that the benefits of retinol can be achieved more easily with concomitant use of hyaluronic acid, which helps to prevent retinol irritation,” says Hartman.
Using Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol Together
Use a gentle retinol product! It should be applied at nighttime, before bed. Use the hyaluronic acid product in the morning. If used together, wait at least 30 minutes before applying your retinol product after hyaluronic acid.
When should I use hyaluronic acid? While some skincare ingredients, like retinol, are best used at night and others, like vitamin C, work their magic in the daytime, hyaluronic acid can be used both morning and night.
Because retinoids help your skin make more collagen, they soften wrinkles and fine lines. They also stimulate new blood vessels, which can give your skin a rosy color. Retinoids also help fade age spots and smooth rough patches. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a popular prescription choice for aging skin.
Also known as retinoic acid, tretinoin is about 20 times more potent than retinol. It's stronger because retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that acts directly on the skin to boost cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair.
While retinol (or vitamin A) usage is encouraged by experts from your 30s onwards, if you want skin to appear more youthful, it's an absolute must in your 60s. With the post-menopausal reduction in DHEA, our skin sees a drastic reduction in collagen production and elastin, causing it to lose laxity and volume.
Nobody wants saggy looking skin. Hyaluronic acid won't improve elastin but has the ability to tighten complexion and firm out the contours of the face for a very youthful appearance. This on top of improving collagen levels with undoubtedly help to improve and bring back the youthful, refreshed glow to your skin.
As topical hyaluronic acid products tend to produce temporary effects, you may start to notice plumper, more hydrated skin within a few minutes. But if you're looking to reduce the appearance of fine lines and other signs of aging, you may have to wait a couple of months to see a difference.
Hyaluronic acid can help increase moisture levels in the skin and reduce signs of aging.
Discontinue use if you have negative side effects after a few weeks of use and contact your physician to help reassess your skin type and find a solution that will protect your skin barrier . Consider using moisturizing and soothing topical skin care products with retinol to counteract its negative side effects.