So you’ve heard that glycolic acid and retinol are part of the holy grails of skincare. You want to get clear, glowing skin, and you’re wondering how to safely use these two active ingredients. Well, buckle up, because we’ll clear up some of the confusion around glycolic acid vs retinol, and tell you how to safely use these two ingredients together and the benefits they offer.
Keep reading to learn more! (Spoiler alert: it involves a lot of safety precautions). First off, let’s start with glycolic acid.
What is glycolic acid and what are its benefits?
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that’s derived from sugar cane. It’s a popular ingredient in skin care products because it’s a great exfoliator that helps to remove dead skin cells from the skin.
It works by breaking down the bonds between dead cells, which helps to slough them off the surface of your skin. This can improve the appearance of wrinkles, reduce fine lines, and improve uneven texture.
Glycolic acid can also help to unclog the pores and reduce the appearance of acne.
How to use glycolic acid
In a 2018 study, it was reported that caution has to be taken with regards to the concentration when using AHAs like glycolic acid.
It’s important to use a glycolic acid product that has a low concentration (less than 10 percent) to avoid irritating your skin. Glycolic acid can increase your skin sensitivity to the sun, so it’s important to use sunscreen when you’re using this ingredient.
If you’re using glycolic acid for the first time, it’s important to start slow. Use it once a week to begin with, and then increase to two or three times a week as your skin becomes more accustomed to it.
What is retinol and what are its benefits?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A that’s found in retinol products. It’s a popular ingredient because it can help to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin texture.
Retinol works by stimulating the production of collagen, which is the protein that gives your skin its structure.
Retinol can also help to unclog the pores (by increasing skin cellular turnover, collagen, and elastin production) and reduce the appearance of acne.
How to use retinol
-Start slowly: Retinol can be irritating to the skin, so it’s important to start slowly if you’re using this ingredient for the first time. Use a product that has a low concentration of retinol (less than 0.5 percent) and apply it every other day to begin with.
-Apply it correctly: You should always apply retinol to clean, dry skin. Start by applying a pea-sized amount of product to your face and neck, and then gently massage it into your skin.
-Best to use at night: Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s best to use it at night. If you do use it during the day, make sure you apply sunscreen afterward.
You can use a retinol product every night, but if you have sensitive skin, you may want to start by using it every other night.
The benefits of using both glycolic acid and retinol together
Using glycolic acid and retinol together can provide your skin with several benefits (including anti-aging benefits). Together, they can help you achieve radiant, youthful, healthier-looking skin!
Glycolic acid can help to exfoliate the surface of your skin, while retinol works on a deeper layers to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Both glycolic acid and retinol can also help to unclog pores and reduce the appearance of acne.
How to safely use glycolic acid and retinol together
Both glycolic acid and retinol can be great additions to your skincare routine, but it’s important to use them safely, effectively, and correctly.
-Do not mix: Do not mix glycolic acid and retinol – they can cancel each other out.
-Use at separate times: The best way to use glycolic acid and retinol is to use them at different times during the day or week. For example, you could use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night. Or, you could use glycolic acid on alternate days and retinol on the other days. This will give each ingredient time to work its magic without interference from the other.
-Start slowly when using both ingredients together: If you have sensitive skin and are new to either ingredient, including both active skincare ingredients in your skincare regime will require caution.
Although you’ll find glycolic acid is available over-the-counter up to 30% and retinol up to 1%, it’s also important to use products that have a low concentration of each ingredient. Glycolic acid should have a concentration of less than 10 percent, and retinol should have a concentration of less than 0.5 percent.
Start by using each ingredient every other day or every third day. As your skin adjusts, you can gradually increase the frequency and concentration of both ingredients.
-Do a patch test: As with all new skincare products, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first to make sure you’re not allergic to either ingredient.
-Use sunscreen: It is also important to use sunscreen when using glycolic acid and retinol together, as they can increase sun sensitivity and make your skin more susceptible to sun damage. Be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
If you follow these simple tips, you can enjoy the benefits of both glycolic acid and retinol and minimize the risk of any negative side effects.
Now that you know how to safely use glycolic acid and retinol, you can enjoy the benefits of both ingredients! Glycolic acid can help improve your skin’s texture and tone, while retinol can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Together, they can help you achieve radiant, youthful-looking skin!
When to see a dermatologist or skincare expert
If you have any skin concerns about how to use glycolic acid or retinol, talk to a dermatologist or skincare expert. They can help you create a skincare routine that’s tailored to your specific needs.
The bottom line: should you use glycolic acid and retinol together?
Glycolic acid and retinol can be great additions to your skin care routine, but it’s important to use them safely and correctly to avoid any negative side effects. Glycolic acid can help improve your skin tone and texture, while retinol can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Together, they can help you achieve radiant, youthful-looking skin!
So, should you use glycolic acid and retinol together? The bottom line is that it depends on your type of skin and how sensitive it is. If you’re new to either ingredient, start slowly by using them every other day or every third day. As your skin adjusts, you can gradually increase the frequency and concentration of both ingredients. Be sure to use sunscreen and do a patch test before using any new skincare products.
FAQs about glycolic acid vs retinol
Is glycolic acid better than retinol?
There is no definitive answer when it comes to glycolic acid vs retinol – it can depend on your skin type and how sensitive it is. Glycolic acid can help improve your skin’s texture and tone, while retinol can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, both ingredients can cause adverse effects if used incorrectly, so it’s important to use them safely and correctly.
Can I use glycolic acid and retinol together?
You can use glycolic acid and retinol together, but it’s important to do so safely by following the tips mentioned above. Start slowly by using each ingredient every other day or every third day, and increase the frequency and concentration as your skin adjusts. Be sure to use sunscreen and do a patch test before using any new skincare products.
What are the side effects of glycolic acid?
The most common side effect of glycolic acid is skin irritation. Other potential adverse reactions include redness, burning sensation, itching, dryness, peeling, and rash.
What are the side effects of retinol?
The most common side effect of retinol is skin irritation. Other potential adverse reactions include redness, dryness, itchiness, tightness, peeling, and scaliness.
Does glycolic acid reduce wrinkles?
Glycolic acid can help improve the appearance of wrinkles by increasing collagen production and stimulating skin turnover. However, it can also cause skin irritation, so it’s important to use it safely and correctly.
Does retinol reduce wrinkles?
Retinol can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles by stimulating cellular turnover and increasing collagen production. However, it can also cause skin irritation, so it’s important to use it safely and correctly.
Which is better for wrinkles – glycolic acid vs retinol?
When it comes to comparing glycolic acid vs retinol for wrinkles, the short answer is glycolic acid tends to be better because it is milder. The long answer is a little more complicated than that. This is because there are different types of wrinkles, and each one responds better to different kinds of treatment.
There are three main types of wrinkles: dynamic wrinkles, static wrinkles, and deep wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are the kind that shows up when you make facial expressions – like crow’s feet or forehead creases. Static wrinkles are the kind that shows up even when your face is at rest – like the lines around your mouth. And deep wrinkles are, well, deep – like the kind you get from sun damage.
Glycolic acid is better for treating dynamic wrinkles because it helps to stimulate collagen production. Collagen is a protein that gives your skin its structure and firmness. So, by increasing collagen production, glycolic acid can help to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.
Retinol is better for treating static wrinkles and deep wrinkles. This is because retinol helps to increase cell turnover. This means that new skin cells are generated more quickly, and old skin cells are shed more quickly. This can help to smooth out the appearance of static wrinkles and deep wrinkles.
Does retinol help with skin tone?
Retinol can help improve the overall appearance of your skin by increasing cell turnover and stimulating collagen synthesis. This can help to even out skin discoloration and give you a more radiant complexion.
Does glycolic acid help with skin tone?
Glycolic acid can help improve the overall appearance of your skin by increasing cellular turnover and stimulating the production of collagen. This can help to even out skin discoloration and give you a more radiant complexion.
How do retinol or glycolic acid help with dead cells on the skin?
Both retinol and glycolic acid can help to improve the appearance of your skin by increasing cellular turnover. Glycolic acid can help with the removal of dead skin cells specifically by dissolving the “glue” that holds them together. Retinol can also help with the removal of dead skin cells, but it does so by stimulating new cell growth underneath. So, both retinol and glycolic can help give you smoother, more radiant skin – but glycolic acid may be more effective for removing dead skin cells specifically.
Can I use glycolic acid every day?
You can use glycolic acid every day, but you may need to start slowly by using it every other day or every third day. As your skin adjusts, you can gradually increase the frequency. Be sure to use sunscreen and do a patch test before using any new skincare products.
Can I use retinol every day?
You can use retinol every day, but you may need to start slowly by using it every other day or every third day. As your skin adjusts, you can gradually increase the frequency. Be sure to use sunscreen and do a patch test before using any new skincare products.
What is the best glycolic acid concentration for wrinkles?
The best glycolic acid concentration can differ depending on your skin type and sensitivity. If you’re new to glycolic acid, start with a lower concentration (less than 10%) and use it every other day or every third day. As your skin adjusts, you can gradually increase the concentration and frequency. Be sure to use sunscreen and do a patch test before using any new skincare products.
What is the best retinol concentration for wrinkles?
The best retinol concentration can vary depending on your skin type and how sensitive it is. If you’re new to retinol, start with a lower concentration (less than 0.5%) and use it every other day or every third day. As your skin adjusts, you can gradually increase the concentration and frequency. Be sure to use sunscreen and do a patch test before using any new skincare products.
Do you use glycolic acid or retinol in your skincare routine? Leave a comment below!
Disclaimer:
The information in this post is for general informational purposes only, and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have any specific questions about your skin care routine, please consult with a licensed skincare professional.