Peanut butter and jelly, Thelma and Louise, smoky eyes and red lips. There are certain combinations that are meant to be together. When it comes to skin, there’s no better combination than hyaluronic acid and retinol. Well-loved and well-known active ingredients in the skin care industry make for an especially powerful combination.
In fact, you may have found this combination in many of your favorite products. This combination offers complementary benefits to hydrate, brighten and smooth skin. With that in mind, consider compelling reasons to incorporate this dream team into your routine.
Benefits of hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is the main humectant. It works by drawing moisture from the environment or from deeper layers of the skin to fight dryness. “Think of it like a sponge that grabs water and pulls it into the outer layers of your skin,” he says. Joshua Seichner, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and director of aesthetic and clinical research in the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “Not only does it provide hydration, but it also plumps the skin and can improve fine lines and wrinkles instantly.”
Another benefit: “You’ll see many skin care products with hyaluronic acid in their product formulations, such as cleansers, moisturizers, exfoliants, and serums, because it works well with many other active ingredients. ’ he says. Corey L. HartmanMD, a board-certified dermatologist, skin wellness dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama
Benefits of retinol
The benefits of retinol are numerous and proven. “It boosts cell turnover to improve skin radiance and stimulates collagen to strengthen the skin’s foundation,” says Dr. Seichner. “Ultimately, this means improved depth of lines and wrinkles, and stronger, healthier-looking skin.” It is
Bonus: Retinol can also help with acne. Because retinol regulates cell turnover, it helps exfoliate the skin, which in turn helps keep pores clear and control excess sebum production, says Dr. Hartmann. That’s why “everyone should use retinol, except those with rosacea or overly sensitive skin,” he says. “The benefits are countless, unparalleled, and perhaps the most important step you can take for your overall skin health.”
Why hyaluronic acid and retinol work so well together
Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol are the yin and yang of skincare ingredients that balance each other for healthy, glowing skin. Retinol can cause dryness and cause flaking, redness and discomfort, while hyaluronic acid helps reduce those negative side effects.
After all, “when using retinol, it’s always wise to keep the skin moisturized and hydrated so you can avoid irritation,” says Dr. Hartmann. “Both of them benefit the skin without compromising the integrity of their respective ingredients.”
How to use in daily skin care
The good news: there’s no wrong way to use hyaluronic acid and retinol together. It’s very common to see both ingredients combined in one of her formulations. Paula’s Choice Intensive Repair Cream, contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol as well as antioxidants. These work together to boost hydration, plump skin, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, and generally improve skin texture. “We found it was well tolerated by patients with sensitive skin and those new to retinol,” says Dr. Hartmann.
Dr. Seichner also recommends RoC Derm Collection Fill + Treat Serum. “This serum, he uses stabilized retinol and hyaluronic acid in one product, providing both immediate and long-term benefits,” he says.
You can also use them separately. For maximum retinol benefits, apply it first thing in the evening and let it sit for at least 15 minutes, says Dr. Hartman. Then it’s easy to apply a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid.
Whether you’ve been reluctant to try retinol because of its drying effects, or you’ve been searching for brighter, plumper skin, the combination of retinol and hyaluronic acid is the rare way to deliver big results with minimal imperfections. . If that’s not a valid reason to use them, I’m not sure what.
