As the years go by, it often feels like skin care routines have become more complicated. There are many products that contain a ton of active ingredients, some of which you may know and others that you may find difficult to pronounce, let alone have heard of.
The good news is that if you have a better understanding of how these ingredients work together, you will be safer when using them. So don’t panic, because by the end of today’s blog post, you will have a better understanding of how to use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night. Are you ready? Let’s get started and learn more.
Can I use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night?
Of course, using glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night is considered the most effective way to utilize these active ingredients in your daily skin care routine.
You’ll find glycolic acid most commonly in face washes, exfoliating tonics, and serums. With such a wide variety, you’ll undoubtedly find a product that fits into your daily routine and delivers results. You’ll also find that you can use glycolic acid twice a day, especially if you have oily skin that often breaks out in rashes.
However, be careful when using retinol in your evening skin care routine, as this combination can be too drying for the skin.
The reason retinol can only be used at night is that the ingredient is light-sensitive, and any exposure to UV rays will cause it to lose its effectiveness and no longer work at its best. You’ll also find retinol mixed into formulas like moisturizers and serums, which leave them on the skin longer than a face wash that rinses off.
Using retinol at night can prevent the disruption of daily free radical damage while you sleep, resulting in a brighter, more radiant, and more youthful complexion.
Can glycolic acid and retinol be used on the same night?
Yes and no. The reason is that you need to remember to leave enough time between applications to allow the pH of your skin to rebalance. If you want to use glycolic acid and retinol on the same night, the best way to get the most out of both while avoiding irritation is to use the most appropriate products.
Here’s an example of a nighttime routine for using glycolic acid and retinol together. Remove makeup with makeup remover or micellar water. Cleanse skin to remove any remaining makeup and impurities. Soak a cotton pad with an exfoliating toner rich in glycolic acid
While skin is still damp, apply a serum containing hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. Apply another serum containing retinol over this serum. Finally, apply a moisturizer rich in nourishing ingredients like vitamin E to keep the skin barrier soft and hydrated.
Following this or a similar routine will give you enough time for the glycolic acid to slough off dead skin cells and for the pH of your skin to rebalance before applying a retinol product.
Should I use glycolic acid in the morning or at night?
You can use glycolic acid morning and night. To do this, simply do a 24-hour patch test to make sure your skin is happy with the formula. If glycolic acid is a new ingredient in your skincare routine, I recommend introducing it with a product that won’t sit on your skin, such as a cleansing or exfoliating toner.
This allows the AHA’s benefits to be on the surface of the skin without causing too much irritation.
What Retinol Should and Shouldn’t Do?
Retinol is one of the most complex and misunderstood ingredients in skincare. It is often surrounded by an aura of mystery, causing many to use it incorrectly or avoid it altogether. Here are some tips on what to look out for when using retinol in your skincare routine.
What you should do
Use only at night.
Start slowly and use only once a week.
Take your time to build up your skin’s tolerance.
Increase usage to 2-3 times a week.
Once your skin has adjusted to the effects, you can increase the intensity.
What you shouldn’t do
Don’t use high ratios until your skin has built up tolerance.
Don’t use it with other active ingredients like salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
Don’t forget to apply SPF in the morning.
If you experience severe dryness, itching, and redness, discontinue use.
This is a quick overview of how to use retinol. However, if you want to learn more about this potent powerhouse, check out our blog post on retinol and its skincare benefits.
Can you use retinol in the morning?
No, definitely don’t use retinol in your morning routine. This is because exposure to UV rays can render retinol completely ineffective, jeopardizing the potency and effectiveness of the ingredient.
You may find that applying retinol in the morning is just futile, but over time it can weaken the skin’s protective barrier, making it more susceptible to free radical damage, such as pollution, central heating, and other environmental aggressors.
Can BHAs be mixed with retinol?
No, absolutely not, it’s best to avoid mixing BHAs with retinol altogether. Salicylic acid is the most commonly used BHA in various skincare formulas and is often favored by people with oily and acne-prone skin.
One of the main benefits of salicylic acid is that it is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deep into the underlying layers of the skin and unclog the pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities.
Therefore, you should not use retinol after using salicylic acid-rich products as it can cause dryness, increased sensitivity, redness, and rashes.
