Meet the star skincare ingredients that are among Google’s top searches, and with good reason – hyaluronic acid and retinol. These skincare actives have become real crowd favourites over the last few months, taking over our Insta feeds and shopping carts alike, and they are here to stay.
Also among the top searches are questions about their use. Why do so many beauty gurus swear by these two ingredients? Can I use hyaluronic acid with retinol? How and why do they work so well together? Here’s the lowdown.
Meet our leads - Hyaluronic acid and retinol
Think of hyaluronic acid as love at first sight – it is a humectant that attracts moisture from the environment into your skin to deliver instant hydration and plumping action. Although called an ‘acid’, this gentle hydrator is suitable for most skin types. It boosts your skin’s hydration levels in just a few minutes.
Retinol, on the other hand, is the slow burn. A derivative of vitamin A, it boosts the production of newer skin cells, thereby helping combat signs of ageing like fine lines, dark spots and wrinkles. This anti-ageing superstar also helps treat acne and a host of other skin concerns, with its ability to generate new skin cells.
Setting up the meet-cute between skin care actives
You may be wondering how to use retinol and hyaluronic acid together for maximum impact. While it may seem intimidating, combining these two miracle ingredients can do wonders for your skin. While retinol does all the base work, it can leave your skin sensitized and dry. Here’s where hyaluronic acid can swoop in. Hyaluronic acid counters the potential drying effects of using retinol by hydrating and soothing the skin. Together, this combination works on both the look and the feel and leaves you with healthy, happy, glowing skin.
Be sure to consult your dermatologist before incorporating retinol into your skincare routine, and start with lower concentrations to build your skin’s tolerance as you go. Remember, baby steps!
For AM skin care routine:
Apply hyaluronic acid to freshly cleansed damp skin and follow up with a moisturiser. Skip retinol in the AM routine, and make sure you’re using adequate sun protection, as retinol can make your skin photo-sensitive. Also, avoid waxing or threading your face while using retinol as it can cause further skin irritation and lead to redness and inflammation.
For PM skin care routine:
After cleansing your skin, apply a retinol based serum and layer on formulations infused with hyaluronic acid to soothe your skin. If you’re using a retinol and hyaluronic acid serum, follow it up with a moisturiser.
