JAN 15
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REFERENCE LAB
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid with Retinol?
_LEARN
/
REFERENCE LAB
JAN 15
Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid with Retinol?
Hyaluronic acid and retinol are some of the most commonly used ingredients in topical skin care products to date, with no signs of slowing down. Though both are shown to improve skin texture and smoothness, hyaluronic acid tends to be more moisturizing and gentle on skin, while retinol is harsher and can be drying to the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a compound that naturally occurs in the body and provides support, protection, and insulation in connective tissues, especially the skin. Hyaluronic acid has an extremely robust water-binding capacity making it able to promote a plump and hydrated appearance, explaining its popularity across the skin health industry. Topical retinol, on the other hand, is more commonly marketed for its anti-aging effects, including reduced fine lines and wrinkles and improved skin texture. Retinol is distinctly different from hyaluronic acid in that it is not hydrating and in fact often causes dry, peeling, and ultra-sensitive skin. So what are these two ingredients, are there any downsides to using them together, and is there anything you shouldn't mix with them? We’ll discuss these questions in detail throughout this blog.Can I use retinol and hyaluronic acid at the same time?
Not only do retinol and hyaluronic acid serve different purposes, they also often cause different reactions in the skin when applied, making them suitable for different skin types. Hyaluronic acid can be used on almost all skin types, while retinol should be avoided by those who display sensitive or reactive skin. Despite this, they can work well in tandem for certain less reactive skin types, as they complement each other’s shortcomings. For instance, while hyaluronic acid is great at soothing and hydrating the skin, it does not boost cell turnover rate and production as well as retinol. Conversely, retinol ramps up cell turnover rate and collagen production but may leave your skin feeling dry and irritated, which is one of the most common side effects of retinol use3. So by using retinol and hyaluronic acid together, you can create a symbiotic blend that will address many skin health issues while ensuring that your skin remains soothed and unbothered.With hyaluronic acid being such an inert and broadly beneficial ingredient, there are almost no ingredients that will cause an adverse reaction when mixed with hyaluronic acid. In fact, you can benefit by using it alongside harsh ingredients to combat potential irritation or dryness. However, this does not mean that there is no danger with using hyaluronic acid. Due to its high water-binding capacity, applying too much hyaluronic acid may ironically lead to dehydration of the deeper layers of the skin. This occurs when a disproportionate ratio of hyaluronic acid to water is introduced to the skin, leading the hyaluronic acid to draw water from deep within your skin rather than from its surrounding environment, thereby dehydrating the lower layers of skin4.
To determine the correct dosage of hyaluronic acid to apply to your skin, you should begin by applying small amounts and working up to larger amounts as your skin becomes accustomed to the application of hyaluronic acid. You should also be sure to apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin, or you can mist the skin with water after applying hyaluronic acid to ensure it has enough external moisture to bind to.
What can you not mix with retinol?
Do you use retinol or hyaluronic acid first?
One exception is if the product containing hyaluronic acid contains an active ingredient that you would like to penetrate the most. As a rule of thumb, the first product you apply to the skin will experience the most penetration. So if you have a product that contains hyaluronic acid alongside a hero ingredient, you may consider applying it before retinol or alternating your use of each to achieve full benefits from each active.
For those with drier or more sensitive skin, it's especially important to begin with a low dosage of retinol and then slowly increase the amount of retinol used as long as the skin remains tolerant. By taking these precautionary steps, your skin can acclimate and build a tolerance to retinol, helping to prevent any particularly irritating side effects. Monitoring the condition of your skin will help you articulate when to stop using retinol vs when to lessen your use.
Can you put hyaluronic acid over retinol?
How to layer retinol and hyaluronic acid
How does OneSkin pair with hyaluronic acid and retinol?
Key Takeaways
- While hyaluronic acid and retinol are both known to improve skin texture and smoothness, hyaluronic acid tends to be more hydrating and works well with all skin types, whereas retinol tends to be harsher on skin and is not recommended for sensitive skin types.
- Hyaluronic acid is a moisturizing humectant, a compound with great water retention properties.
- Hyaluronic acid can be used alongside just about any ingredient.
- Retinol should not be used with other potentially irritating agents such as vitamin C, AHA’s, and BHA’s.
- Hyaluronic acid can be used with retinol to offset retinol’s potential irritating side effects.
- Hyaluronic should typically be used after retinol to preserve its effectiveness.
By Philip Tajanko. Philip is studying Bioengineering at the University of California - San Diego and is passionate about scientific writing and hormonal research.
Sources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/humectant
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17515510/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6791161/
- http://barefacedtruth.com/2015/03/31/hyaluronic-acid-yes-size-does-matter/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19245467/
- https://www.byrdie.com/can-you-use-retinol-and-vitamin-c-together-5220358
- https://www.byrdie.com/can-you-mix-hyaluronic-acid-and-retinol-5217416
- https://procoal.co.uk/blogs/beauty/how-to-layer-hyaluronic-acid-and-retinol
Hyaluronic acid and retinol are some of the most commonly used ingredients in topical skin care products to date, with no signs of slowing down. Though both are shown to improve skin texture and smoothness, hyaluronic acid tends to be more moisturizing and gentle on skin, while retinol is harsher and can be drying to the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a compound that naturally occurs in the body and provides support, protection, and insulation in connective tissues, especially the skin. Hyaluronic acid has an extremely robust water-binding capacity making it able to promote a plump and hydrated appearance, explaining its popularity across the skin health industry. Topical retinol, on the other hand, is more commonly marketed for its anti-aging effects, including reduced fine lines and wrinkles and improved skin texture. Retinol is distinctly different from hyaluronic acid in that it is not hydrating and in fact often causes dry, peeling, and ultra-sensitive skin. So what are these two ingredients, are there any downsides to using them together, and is there anything you shouldn't mix with them? We’ll discuss these questions in detail throughout this blog.Can I use retinol and hyaluronic acid at the same time?
Not only do retinol and hyaluronic acid serve different purposes, they also often cause different reactions in the skin when applied, making them suitable for different skin types. Hyaluronic acid can be used on almost all skin types, while retinol should be avoided by those who display sensitive or reactive skin. Despite this, they can work well in tandem for certain less reactive skin types, as they complement each other’s shortcomings. For instance, while hyaluronic acid is great at soothing and hydrating the skin, it does not boost cell turnover rate and production as well as retinol. Conversely, retinol ramps up cell turnover rate and collagen production but may leave your skin feeling dry and irritated, which is one of the most common side effects of retinol use3. So by using retinol and hyaluronic acid together, you can create a symbiotic blend that will address many skin health issues while ensuring that your skin remains soothed and unbothered.With hyaluronic acid being such an inert and broadly beneficial ingredient, there are almost no ingredients that will cause an adverse reaction when mixed with hyaluronic acid. In fact, you can benefit by using it alongside harsh ingredients to combat potential irritation or dryness. However, this does not mean that there is no danger with using hyaluronic acid. Due to its high water-binding capacity, applying too much hyaluronic acid may ironically lead to dehydration of the deeper layers of the skin. This occurs when a disproportionate ratio of hyaluronic acid to water is introduced to the skin, leading the hyaluronic acid to draw water from deep within your skin rather than from its surrounding environment, thereby dehydrating the lower layers of skin4.
To determine the correct dosage of hyaluronic acid to apply to your skin, you should begin by applying small amounts and working up to larger amounts as your skin becomes accustomed to the application of hyaluronic acid. You should also be sure to apply hyaluronic acid to damp skin, or you can mist the skin with water after applying hyaluronic acid to ensure it has enough external moisture to bind to.
What can you not mix with retinol?
Do you use retinol or hyaluronic acid first?
One exception is if the product containing hyaluronic acid contains an active ingredient that you would like to penetrate the most. As a rule of thumb, the first product you apply to the skin will experience the most penetration. So if you have a product that contains hyaluronic acid alongside a hero ingredient, you may consider applying it before retinol or alternating your use of each to achieve full benefits from each active.
For those with drier or more sensitive skin, it's especially important to begin with a low dosage of retinol and then slowly increase the amount of retinol used as long as the skin remains tolerant. By taking these precautionary steps, your skin can acclimate and build a tolerance to retinol, helping to prevent any particularly irritating side effects. Monitoring the condition of your skin will help you articulate when to stop using retinol vs when to lessen your use.
Can you put hyaluronic acid over retinol?
How to layer retinol and hyaluronic acid
How does OneSkin pair with hyaluronic acid and retinol?
Key Takeaways
- While hyaluronic acid and retinol are both known to improve skin texture and smoothness, hyaluronic acid tends to be more hydrating and works well with all skin types, whereas retinol tends to be harsher on skin and is not recommended for sensitive skin types.
- Hyaluronic acid is a moisturizing humectant, a compound with great water retention properties.
- Hyaluronic acid can be used alongside just about any ingredient.
- Retinol should not be used with other potentially irritating agents such as vitamin C, AHA’s, and BHA’s.
- Hyaluronic acid can be used with retinol to offset retinol’s potential irritating side effects.
- Hyaluronic should typically be used after retinol to preserve its effectiveness.
By Philip Tajanko. Philip is studying Bioengineering at the University of California - San Diego and is passionate about scientific writing and hormonal research.
Sources:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/humectant
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17515510/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6791161/
- http://barefacedtruth.com/2015/03/31/hyaluronic-acid-yes-size-does-matter/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19245467/
- https://www.byrdie.com/can-you-use-retinol-and-vitamin-c-together-5220358
- https://www.byrdie.com/can-you-mix-hyaluronic-acid-and-retinol-5217416
- https://procoal.co.uk/blogs/beauty/how-to-layer-hyaluronic-acid-and-retinol
Reviewed by Alessandra Zonari, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin
Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.
Reviewed by Alessandra Zonari, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin
Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.
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