BHAs vs AHAs vs Retinol: The Definitive Guide to Understanding Facial Acids - Blog - YouTrip EN (2023)

FAQs

Which is better retinol or AHA BHA? ›

But does retinol work better without AHA or BHA exfoliants? In short, no. Research has actually shown that retinol combined with exfoliants (like AHAs) helps to fade hyperpigmentation in skin, and improves the results you get from both ingredients.

Using the hydroxyacids AHA and BHA with retinol

Using retinol and hydroxyacids such as alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs) and beta hydroxyacids (BHAs) together will increase the effectiveness and side effects of both skin care ingredients.

If you're looking for an all-inclusive anti-aging treatment, then an AHA may be the best fit. A BHA may better suited if you want to calm down inflammation and get rid of acne.

Just take care to avoid using both ingredients at the same time of day, as this can easily lead to irritation. Instead, if your skin can handle both ingredients on the same day, you can try using an AHA in the morning and retinol at night, or vice versa.

If you want to prevent and address fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage, retinol is your best choice." In other words: the mechanisms of action or retinol and glycolic acid are distinct yet complementary.

The well-known benefits of AHA's include exfoliation, moisturization, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, collagen synthesis, firming and skin lightening.

Can you exfoliate and use retinol in your routine? The short answer is yes. Both a chemical exfoliant and retinol help to resurface the skin, fade dark spots, clear pores and soften fine lines and wrinkles. But they don't always play nice together.

Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.

Glycolic acid is the most popular alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used in skin care. It comes from sugar cane, and is the smallest AHA, so it's the most effective at getting into the skin. Glycolic acid is a fantastic anti-aging agent that seems to do it all.

Is retinol or hyaluronic acid better for older skin? ›

Ellen Marmur, founder of MMSkincare, “if you are looking for a hydration boost and anti-inflammatory, then hyaluronic acid is the right choice. If you are looking to combat wrinkles and aging, then retinol is the better choice.”

Beta-hydroxy acids, or BHAs, are ingredients that are intended to reduce the signs of aging in the skin.

At night we might be using night creams that contain actives such as retinol which are not recommended to be used in the morning so it is essential to wash your face in the morning to remove those residual creams/serum.

Use retinol once or twice a week at first to see how your skin reacts, and gradually work up to every other day or three times a week. Another key tip for using retinol is to incorporate it into your nighttime skincare routine only, as it makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.

Both chemicals are critical to keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful, but they work in different ways. For example, hyaluronic acid helps to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. In contrast, collagen helps to rebuild and strengthen the skin's connective tissues from within.

Using retinol will give you better results than using just collagen products alone. Because retinol is the product that brings collagen back to life using retinol is always going to be more powerful and more beneficial to your skin.

Also known as retinoic acid, tretinoin is about 20 times more potent than retinol. It's stronger because retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that acts directly on the skin to boost cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair.

A dermatologist in Seoul once told me off the record that they don't have any wrinkle-targeting products in their skin-care routine because they don't believe in them. Instead, they trust in the power of SPF and in-office treatments to keep skin bright and smooth.

Both AHAs (amongst which glycolic acid) and BHA (salicylic acid) help to reduce wrinkles. They stimulate the production of collagen and strengthen the skin. The products' specific properties will determine the best choice for you.

Does AHA increase collagen? ›

This can increase the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. AHAs help to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, revealing fresh new cells underneath. With long-term use, AHAs may also increase collagen and elastin in the skin.

Apply retinol in a thin layer to your entire face (be careful not to get it in your mouth, nose and eyes). You should use a dose that's about the size of a pea. For the first couple weeks of treatment, apply retinol only every other day. Finish with a facial moisturizer that won't clog your pores (non-comedogenic).

Always do a gentle cleanse

Above all, you want to ensure the skin is properly cleansed before even thinking about using retinol. New York City-based dermatologist Shari Marchbein stresses that washing your face with a gentle cleanser, first, is key.

Instead, use a product with AHAs in the morning and retinol at night. AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid and lactic acid, are great chemical exfoliants and are often less abrasive than physical exfoliating scrubs.

“Those with sensitive or easily irritated skin should approach retinol use with caution,” Panzica says. First-time retinol users have reported irritation, including redness, dryness, and peeling.

Retinoids, including retinol, aren't recommended if you're pregnant or nursing. You'll also want to proceed with caution if you have: sensitive or dry skin. rosacea.

Many studies show that retinoids improve acne and wrinkles- but what happens to the skin when you stop using retinol? The short answer is- you will get a short-term benefit after stopping retinol but eventually your skin will return back to baseline (how it was before you began retinol).

Using too many AHAs, BHAs, and chemicals at once can cause irritation. In turn, this can make wrinkles, acne, and other skin concerns more noticeable.

Alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy and Vitamin C are all acidic ingredients. Therefore, when you layer AHA/BHA with Vitamin C, you will experience irritation on your skin. What you could instead do is use Vitamin C in the morning and AHA/BHA in the night or alternate between AHA/BHA and Vitamin C every night.

What acid is best for sagging skin? ›

If you want to smooth fine lines and wrinkles and tighten saggy skin, glycolic acid is a superhero in doing just that. Glycolic acid works as an antiaging product by regenerating collagen production.

The intake of natural vitamin E products helps against collagen cross linking and lipid peroxidation, which are both linked to aging of the skin.

Because retinoids help your skin make more collagen, they soften wrinkles and fine lines. They also stimulate new blood vessels, which can give your skin a rosy color. Retinoids also help fade age spots and smooth rough patches. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a popular prescription choice for aging skin.

While retinol (or vitamin A) usage is encouraged by experts from your 30s onwards, if you want skin to appear more youthful, it's an absolute must in your 60s. With the post-menopausal reduction in DHEA, our skin sees a drastic reduction in collagen production and elastin, causing it to lose laxity and volume.

The good news is that it is never too late to start incorporating retinol into your skin care routine. People in the 60s and beyond have begun using retinol and still experienced results.

Although BHAs (like AHAs) have benefits for all skin types (hydrating, making fine lines and wrinkles less visible and improving firmness, skin tone and texture), they are particularly suitable for people with normal to oily skin, congested or enlarged pores, acne-prone skin and signs of skin ageing.

Hydroxy acids.

Using an AHA product regularly prepares your skin to better absorb other products and stimulates the growth of smooth, evenly pigmented new skin. AHAs , beta hydroxyl acids and a newer form called polyhydroxy acids have also been shown to be effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

BHA (salicylic acid) or AHA (glycolic acid) are exfoliants that often work in tandem with hydroquinone for the pigmentation-fading effect to be more apparent. BHA and AHA remove old skin cells to make room for new ones, offering a rejuvenating effect and lightening brown spots in the process.

So if you start using retinol every day out of the gate, you can end up with some painful inflammation and a damaged skin barrier, negating any potential positives. One way to avoid that irritation is to start slow, explains Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston.

How long do you leave retinol on before moisturizer? ›

Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)

“It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product. Retinols are powerful antioxidants and it is important to allow it to fully absorb if you want to avoid your skin becoming sensitive,” says Dr Liakas.

Discontinue use if you have negative side effects after a few weeks of use and contact your physician to help reassess your skin type and find a solution that will protect your skin barrier . Consider using moisturizing and soothing topical skin care products with retinol to counteract its negative side effects.

Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.

First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.

“This will make your skin look older and accentuate wrinkles” — which is probably not what you're going for when you start using the stuff. And there's no question that retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.

You should always apply retinol at night, after cleansing, and before your nighttime moisturizer. Five minutes is enough to wait for your retinol to sink in before applying moisturizer; you want to layer them, not mix them.

What is a retinol sandwich? “To sandwich the retinol with moisturizer before and after application to prevent potential irritation is a great tip,” says Weiss. “The moisturizer before acts as a barrier to combat any irritation from the retinol and moisturizing after helps seal the moisture in.”

Our Skin Health Experts all agree that a BHA like salicylic acid and natural vitamin retinol can be used in the same skincare routine, but you must apply them correctly.

Retinol helps reduce visible skin aging while Salicylic Acid clears up breakouts, but using them at the same time can cause irritation.

Is AHA same as retinol? ›

Is AHA the same as retinol? No AHA and retinol are not the same. This confusion may be a result of the misconception that retinol exfoliants the skin, when in fact, it increases the skin cell turn over cycle resulting in new skin cells making their way to the surface quicker.

Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.

As of late, bakuchiol is undoubtedly the most popular ingredient to replace retinol in skincare routines. For one, it's plant-based, which automatically makes the decision to switch over feel like a responsible one.

As Dr. King mentions, peptides make a great retinol alternative. Versions such as copper peptides, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, and hexapeptides increase skin elasticity and firmness, stimulate cell regeneration, and diminish creasing, respectively, making them extremely versatile when it comes to antiaging.

Glycolic acid helps break up and exfoliate dead skin cells by loosening the cellar adhesion and your top layer of skin. Also, the use of glycolic acid proves to aid in the clearing of overkill of debris and excess oil. If you want to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, glycolic acid is a superhero in doing just that.

If you're using retinol or vitamin C with a natural acid, try alternating them to avoid skin irritation. For example, try applying a BHA or AHA to your skin in the morning and applying a natural retinol serum or vitamin C in your nighttime routine to avoid skin sensitivity from sun exposure.

Begin in Your Mid 20s or Early 30s

"Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol," says Ellen Marmur, M.D. "Many patients who have used it for years swear by it."