Can you use retinol after glycolic acid?
When it comes to skincare, there’s no denying that glycolic acid and retinol are two powerful ingredients that can deliver impressive complexion results. No wonder you’ll find them in a range of products from different brands.
If you’ve been here for a while, you’ve no doubt read about how to use retinol and glycolic acid in your routine, but the question is: can you use retinol after glycolic acid? Let’s find out. If you need a reminder of the benefits of these ingredients, check out our blog posts on glycolic acid and retinol on The Beauty Insiders.
What to use after glycolic acid?
Glycolic acid is commonly found in cleansers, exfoliating toners/peeling pads, and serums. Whatever you choose in your routine, combining glycolic acid with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide will restore the water and oil content of the skin barrier and protect it from free radicals. Using a serum or moisturizer enriched with these ingredients ensures that moisture is locked on the surface of the skin while forming a protective barrier to prevent further damage.
You can apply glycolic acid twice a day, morning and night. Still, remember to use SPF 30 for UV protection every day, even on cloudy and rainy days.
What Not to Mix with Glycolic Acid?
It’s believed that using glycolic acid with another acid, especially salicylic acid, can cause your skin to become very dry and irritated. This is because each acid affects different layers of the skin. Glycolic acid on the outer surface removes layers of dead skin cells, while salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pores to remove bacteria, dirt, and other impurities. You see, mixing such potent ingredients can cause your skin’s pH to become unbalanced, depriving it of important oils it needs to function properly and protect itself from damage.
Don’t forget: If you’re unsure about which ingredients to apply to your skin, it’s best to consult a doctor or dermatologist to avoid unnecessary irritation.
Can I use glycolic acid with retinol and niacinamide?
Yes, you can. All three ingredients will have impressive results on the skin. Knowing how to best layer them will not only ensure they work their magic on the skin, but also prevent irritation or reactions. Ideally, you should use a glycolic acid-rich skin twice a day, as it can remove impurities from the skin. After 30 minutes, you should apply a serum containing niacinamide to draw moisture back to the surface of the skin and keep your complexion plump. For your evening routine, you can use a retinol product, which will work undisturbed while you catch up on your beauty sleep. Before trying any new skincare ingredient or formula, I highly recommend doing a 24-hour patch test before applying anything directly to your face. This will give you a better idea of whether you will benefit from using these ingredients in your daily skincare routine.
Can I use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night?
Of course, you can actually use glycolic acid twice a day. However, as I mentioned before, an imbalanced pH level can cause dry, tight, and irritated skin. Therefore, it is important to leave enough time between product applications to avoid this and reap the benefits of these two powerful duos.
Retinol is also an ingredient that cannot be used during the day, as UV rays render it useless and completely ineffective. You will also find that if you use glycolic acid in the form of a toner beforehand, the retinol will work quickly and effectively. Clearing away dead skin cells, bacteria, dirt, and debris that build up on the surface of the skin. As these pollutants build up, you’ll notice that any formula you apply to your skin will take longer to absorb through this physical barrier.
When should I routinely use glycolic acid?
You can use glycolic acid in every step of your daily life, and much of it will depend on the products you choose. You’ll find this powerful AHA incorporated into a variety of formulas, from cleansers, toners, serums, face oils, to moisturizers. Depending on which product contains glycolic acid will determine when you use it in your basic care routine, which is: h. Start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest. This allows each product to be absorbed into the skin without having to overcome the physical barrier created by thicker formulas.
Is it OK to use glycolic acid every day?
Yes, it’s fine if your skin allows it to be used daily. Glycolic acid is one of the most commonly used yet potent members of the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family. These chemical peels typically work on the outer surface of the skin and offer a wide range of skin benefits, from a rejuvenated, more radiant complexion to a more even skin tone, as well as fighting early signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
People with normal to oily skin typically benefit the most from daily use of glycolic acid. However, if you have a dry, sensitive skin type, you should avoid such strong acids and instead use a gentler lactic acid or one from the polyhydroxy acid (PHA) family.
Here’s more information on using retinol after glycolic acid. If you’ve talked to your doctor about these ingredients being safe for daily use and you use them as directed, there’s nothing wrong with using retinol after glycolic acid. Don’t forget: If you have any other skincare questions, check us out on Instagram, where you can find me via direct message.
