Retinol vs. Hyaluronic Acid…How to Choose?
More than likely, you’ve heard a lot about the importance of retinol and hyaluronic acid in combatting skincare issues.
All the discussion about these two skincare products leads to the question of which one to use. Is one product better than the other? How do you choose?
Retinol vs. Hyaluronic Acid – The Differences
The main difference between retinol (a form of vitamin A) and hyaluronic acid is that one is increases cell turnover and the other hydrates. But it goes deeper than that.
Retinol
Retinol is an antioxidant, or a molecule that slows down free radical damage to your skin cells. Free radicals are unstable molecules produced by your body that attack healthy cells, causing collagen breakdown, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots.
Retinol is scientifically and clinically proven to change your skin on a cellular level. It increases the rate of new skin cell turnover, shedding dull, dead skin cells from skin’s surface layer while replacing with fresh, healthy skin cells.
Retinol works to:
- Improve collagen production to tighten and smooth saggy, wrinkled skin
- Increase cell turnover
- Improve skin tone while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Decrease melanin production to reduce skin pigmentation
- Reduce inflammation
- Unclog pores
- Treat acne-prone skin while improving and preventing acne scarring
Because a strong dose of retinol, especially at first, can make existing skin conditions worse or irritate skin, it’s important to use a gentle formula, use sparingly or and build up frequency of use over time.
Hyaluronic Acid
Scientifically speaking, Hyaluronic acid is classified as a glycosaminoglycan capable of retaining skin’s moisture and holding up to 1000 times its weight in water, which makes it an excellent choice for hydrating and moisturizing.
It is found naturally in your skin, but with age comes a decrease in the production of natural hyaluronic acid. As you age, skin is prone to dehydration and dryness, which increases the odds of enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.
Hyaluronic acid is both hydrating and nourishing to your skin but does little for exfoliation or skin cell turnover.
The hydrating benefits of Hyaluronic acid include:
- Improved skin elasticity
- Reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (dry, dehydrated skin is prone is more wrinkles and sagging)
- Reduction in inflammation
- Prohibits growth of bacteria
How to Choose
The good news is that you don’t have to choose one over the other. In fact, research suggests that they not only work well together, but compliment the benefits of each other after only 4-8 weeks of consistent, continued use.
Used together, the benefits multiply:
- Retinol induced skin inflammation is reduced by the use of calming hyaluronic acid
- Increased skin cell turnover due to improved levels of hydration
- Long-term use of retinol boosts production of natural hyaluronic acid, while daily use of
hyaluronic acid produces instant hydration benefits
How to Use Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid Together
Because retinol may cause skin irritation, it’s best to use once a day, preferably at night. Hyaluronic acid should be used twice a day to take advantage of its skin-drenching hydration qualities.
Build up a tolerance to retinol by starting use once per week, then twice a week and so on until your skin adjusts and to prevent damage to your skin. It’s still effective and working even if you only use once or twice a week.
You can dive right in with hyaluronic acid because it doesn’t cause skin irritation and provides immediate hydration benefits. It’s recommended to use hyaluronic acid twice a day, after cleansing the skin. Follow up with a moisturizing cream after applying hyaluronic acid to lock in the moisture.
Hyaluronic acid should be applied to damp skin as it’s easier for it to bind to and penetrate into damp vs. dry skin.
Retinol should be applied to skin after patting dry with a clean towel.
If using together, apply retinol first, let dry, then apply hyaluronic acid and seal with a heavier moisturizing or night cream.
Wrap Up
Whether you want to slow down and improve the effects of aging with retinol or take skin hydration to new levels with hyaluronic acid, know that you can use both together to maximize healthy skin effects.
For more information on retinol, hyaluronic acid or the benefits of professional skin exfoliation and peels, contact the experts at Laura Skincare in Petaluma, CA.
