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How To Use Hyaluronic Acid vs Retinol

Two of the well-known anti-aging skincare ingredients , but is there a difference in hyaluronic Acid and Retinol? Which one is better to your complexion? Do you have to use both simultaneously?

Absolutely, you can utilize them in conjunction, and here’s the reason…

The glycosaminoglycan which can bind 1000 times its weight in water. It’s found all over your body, but the bulk of the hyaluronic acid in your body is located in the skin.

Hyaluronic acid is glycosaminoglycan (amino sugar) that is able to be able to bind 1000 times it’s weight to water. It’s a humectant and is a part of the natural moisturizing elements of your skin (NMFs) meaning it draws water into your skin and keeps it there.

Therefore, even the word “acid” is as its title, the product actually feeds as well as hydrates the complexion more instead of exfoliating.

In addition to the ability to hydrate your complexion, the hyaluronic acids assists in:

Improve the elasticity of your skin (well-hydrated skin is more elastic or bounce, which means it returns to its form when tugged or poked)
Eliminate the signs of wrinkles and fine lines quickly due to its hydrating effects (dehydrated skin causes wrinkles and fine lines appear more severe)
Reduce inflammation and heal wounds by reducing and growth of bacteria

It’s found all over your body, however the bulk of the body’s hyaluronic acids is located in the skin.

As you get older and get older, your body’s production of hyaluronic acid , which could decrease the size of your dermis as well as your epidermal skin cells and the overall hydration of your skin. This could result in dry, cracked and inflamed skin with less bounce and more obvious pores and fine lines.

Retinol

Retinol can be described as a form of vitamin A that transforms into retinoic acid (its active version) when it is absorbed into the skin. It can treat a variety of skin issues and is among the few skincare ingredients scientifically proven to alter the appearance of the skin’s basis of cellular.

It’s an antioxidant which increases the rate at which your skin creates new cells, and then moves them onto an area on your face to removed. It also:

Boosts collagen production
Reduces inflammation
Aids in preventing acne scarring
Aids in unblocking pores and treating acne
Reduces the appearance of pigmentation by blocking melanin production and eliminating existing pigmentation by boosting the rate of turnover of skin cells
Enhances the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Retinol is known for causing skin irritation , especially when you first begin using it. It may also harm the skin barrier if applied in a way that isn’t done correctly, which could make some skin issues worse, and can take a long time to treat.

However, because it requires some conversions before it can reach its active state, it’s less injurious as other retinoids (e.g. tretinoin, retinal, differin).

Hyaluronic Acid in comparison to Retinol

The primary distinction between hyaluronic acid and the retinol compound is that hyaluronic acid is hydrating , whereas retinol is an antioxidant that boosts the turnover of skin cells.

But, research indicates that retinol may increase all three kinds of Hyaluronic Acid that is naturally found in your skin and it may also boost your production of the hyaluronic acids within the dermis. However, it takes quite a long time to do so.

However, hyaluronic acid is akin to your skin’s NMFs and functions as a humectant that draws water from your dermis to the epidermis. Most of the time, hyaluronic acid will be not able to penetrate the dermis without microchannels made by microneedling or through injectables (HA fillers).

Hyaluronic acid = rapid skin hydration and hydration within the epidermis

Retinol is a slow, but long-lasting skin hydration and hydration within your dermis

The best part is you do not need to pick between hyaluronic acids or retinol, as both perform very well together.

Researchers discovered that a cream with Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid improved wrinkles , age spots and wrinkles, as well as improving the overall appearance of skin after eight weeks of use. Additionally, the effects were evident for 4 weeks following the conclusion of application this cream.

Other advantages of using hyaluronic acids and retinol are:

Reduction in irritation – hyaluronic acids can reduce irritation often experienced by people who use retinol.
The increase in the turnover of cells on your skin – while retinol boosts the rate at which fresh skin cells get made and then transported to the skin’s surface but it doesn’t effectively exfoliate your skin. When your skin is well-hydrated and nourished, the enzymes that are breaking down the bonds between the cells of your skin can function as they should. In this way, hyaluronic acids helps to help the natural exfoliation process of your skin.
Short-term and long-term hydration while retinol works to increase your skin’s natural production Hyaluronic Acid, a serum that contains hyaluronic acid can provide instant, immediate water hydration.

How to Utilize Hyaluronic Acid as a substitute for Retinol

Hyaluronic acid is best used two times a day. using retinol only at least once per day. It is most effective in the evening as it is likely to be destroyed in sunlight (although applying a sunscreen on the top of retinol may stop this).

It is also recommended to begin slow with retinol to minimize the chance of irritation. For instance, you can use it for your first few days, then twice in the second week and then on. Certain people who have sensitive skin might not be able to endure the daily usage of Retinol. However, studies suggest that retinol can be effective when used for 1-3 times every week.

It’s not necessary to start gradually with hyaluronic acids as it’s not likely to cause irritation to your skin. However, hyaluronic acids should be followed by a stronger moisturizer or occlusive to keep all the water that it draws into the epidermis off the skin’s surface.

Hyaluronic acid can also be better applied to skin that is damp as it is easier for ingredients in skincare to penetrate moist skin as opposed to being able to get into dry skin. Hyaluronic acid also draws the water off the skin’s surface (i.e. moist skin, the water from moisturizing creams and lotions that are applied over the top) to the skin to provide the greatest moisture.

However, retinol must be applied on dry skin to minimize the chance of irritation.

This means that the sequence of use of hyaluronic acid and retinol could look like this:

Cleanse
Dry skin or apply an hydrating mist or toner
Apply a serum of hyaluronic acids or moisturizer
Give time for drying (serums as well as gel moisturizing creams dry more quickly than the heavier moisturizers)
Apply the retinol cream/serum
If you are using a retinol-based serum then follow it with a more intense moisturizer (preferably one with ceramides cholesterol and fatty acids to improve the skin barrier and lessen irritation)

Summary: retinol vs hyaluronic acid

The differences between hyaluronic acids and retinol is due to the way they affect your skin. Hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate your skin while retinol can increase the rate at which your skin creates new cells. But, it can boost the natural exfoliation process of your skin and retinol could enhance the production of your skin’s natural the hyaluronic acid.

If you’re unsure about using the retinol or hyaluronic acid, it’s possible to combine both! They both enhance one another’s effects, and hyaluronic acid may lessen the irritation often experienced when using the retinol.