Knowing which ingredients work well with others is critical because not all ingredients are compatible with one another, especially in skincare. Knowing which products you should avoid using in the same skincare routine can help you save money and, at the same time, make your skin look young and beautiful.

As we get older, we start experiencing early signs of aging and still battle the acne breakouts brought on by our teenage years. The good news is that two skincare ingredients can help address these issues: salicylic acid and retinol.

Both salicylic acid and retinol are potent ingredients. One is an exfoliator, while the other is a Vitamin A derivative. You might have heard that you can’t use retinol and salicylic acid together and should choose either one of them. Let us learn together about salicylic acid vs. retinol and how we can incorporate them into our skincare routine.

So the question is can you use Salicylic acid with Retinol?

What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) used to exfoliate and is very effective for acne-prone skin. When applied topically, it helps dissolve the bonds between the dead skin cells on the skin’s surface.

The exfoliative action of salicylic acid is important because most breakouts originate from pores that become clogged with dead skin cells, trapping bacteria inside. With fewer dead skin cells on your skin’s surface, your complexion will not only look more radiant but also be more even and clear.

What Does Salicylic Acid Do for Your Skin?

Salicylic acid has several benefits, especially for people prone to acne breakouts. These benefits include:

• It clears up the skin, preventing future breakouts.
• Improves skin texture and pores, reducing blackheads and whiteheads.
• Exfoliates dead skin
• Brightens and fades pigmentation
• Reduces excess oil

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a must-have product, especially for those who are worried about visible aging. Although most people are familiar with the ingredient's name, they are still unsure of what it is.

The most prominent vitamin A or vitamin A derivative in the retinoid family is retinol. It is a milder Vitamin A compound that is sold over-the-counter, unlike active vitamin A (retinoic acid), which is only available by prescription.

When Retinol is applied topically, it can make the skin turn over its skin cells quickly. With this process, you'll see new, youthful skin cells instead of old, dead ones. This means that you can even out your skin tone, minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark patches, and enhance the texture of your skin.

What Effect Does Retinol Have On Your Skin?

Similar to salicylic acid, retinol has certain benefits for the skin.

• Decreases visible signs of wrinkles and fine lines
• Cleanse pores to reduce their size.
• Lighten the skin tone.
• Smoothen complexion
• Even the skin tone

Some retinol products can be bought without a prescription, but stronger ones need to be prescribed by a dermatologist after a consultation.

Can You Use Salicylic Acid and Retinol Together?

If you're combating acne and aging skin simultaneously, consider adding salicylic acid and retinol to your routine. You'll get results whether you choose one or the other, but employing both of them in a regimen will offer you the best results. This is because retinol, which is used to treat signs of skin aging, and salicylic acid, which is used to treat acne, are both recognized as "gold standard" ingredients.

What Happens When Retinol and Salicylic Acid Are Combined?

The following are the reasons why applying them simultaneously is not advised:

Increased Risk of Skin Irritation

When you put two strong chemicals on your skin at the same time, your skin is more likely to get irritated. Salicylic acid and retinol are known for their drying effects. Combining them could damage your skin's protective barrier, leaving you flaky, irritated, and sensitive.

Reduced Salicylic Acid Absorption

For salicylic acid to work, it must be formulated at a low pH. Research found that the higher the pH, the less the skin absorbs. However, retinol has a higher optimal pH, so if you mix the two, retinol is going to raise the salicylic acid pH and become less acidic. Your skin will not be able to absorb it well, and the result will be altered.

Impaired Retinol Conversion

Retinol, as a derivative of Vitamin A, must be converted by the body into active Vitamin A for your skin to be able to use it. This conversion process is greater at neutral pH, which means that salicylic acid, with its acidic pH level, could impair the conversion of retinol and may not even work at all.

How to Use Salicylic Acid and Retinol Properly

Although it's not advisable to apply them at the same time, salicylic acid and retinol can still be used in the same skincare routine. Here’s how:

1. Use Salicylic Acid in the Morning and Retinol at Night.

The easiest way to incorporate these two ingredients is to apply them at different times of the day. Dermatologists recommend using retinol at night only. One of the best retinol products you could use is the Santeva Replenish Retinol Cream. This cream enhances brightening results while reducing signs of aging. It’s formulated with natural plant extracts to deliver younger-looking skin.

2. Alternately Apply Salicylic Acid and Retinol at Nighttime.

Another option is to alternate between these active substances solely at night. If you have sensitive skin or are just starting to use stronger products and need to build up a tolerance, this is the best way to use them. Start with a little dose of each and gradually increase the frequency or concentration.

Key Takeaways

Having all the skin benefits is great. But for the sake of protecting your skin barrier, it’s vital to use these ingredients the proper way. That means applying it at different times of the day or on alternate nights. By doing it, you allow each one to work the way it was intended.

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