Can you use retinol with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid?
What about vitamin C?
One way to think about ingredients is to look at their pH balance.
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We’ll attempt to simplify it as much as possible by tackling one major ingredient at a time.
Retinol
Retinolis a vitamin A derivative and the anti-aging industry’s gold standard ingredient.
Also, note that if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should skip retinol altogether.
On the other hand, beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are oil-soluble.
The most common one issalicylic acid, a willow bark compound used against acne.
Hydration is a good thing to have any time, so feel free to apply day and/or night.
To treat whiteheads, reach for BPit kills acne-causing bacteria.
A good rule of thumb, is to apply them after your serums and before your moisturizer.
While they’re found within our body, they deplete over time (womp).
Incorporating them into your skincare routine can boost your skin barrier and collagen production.
SPF
SPF (aka sunscreen) is relatively straightforward.
As for when to apply, you might imagine that’s a no-brainerthe morning.
But as for which order to apply, the answer is usually lastespeciallymineral sunscreens.
An example is Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen, which is one of the bestface sunscreenson the market.
The Best Order to Apply Skincare Ingredients
Now let’s bring all this information together.
That being said, you don’thaveto use both niacinamide and HA, since they’re both water-based treatments.
Nor do you have to buy products from only one brand and apply one raw ingredient at a time.
In fact, many skincare products are hybrid products that already combine these active ingredients in one formula.
“I prefer a more streamlined approach rather than a routine with many steps,” says Dr. King.
American Acne Association.What is the pH of human skin?Accessed Jan. 24, 2023.
2017;9(8):866. doi:10.3390/nu9080866
