Retinol Combos for Every Skin Needs

You probably heard of Retinol across social media. If not, then just scroll on Tiktok and you’ll see. The #retinol already garnered billion views on Tiktok alone. What makes retinol deserving of such attention?

Retinol is made up of vitamin A. Unlike other products, it doesn’t remove dead skin cell, instead penetrates deep in our skin or in dermis layer of the skin. It also helps boost elastin and collagen that creates a plumping effect. This makes it ideal to reduce the signs of skin aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores.

It’s additional benefits is it normalize the normal cell turnover cycle. Cell turnover cycle or skin cell cycle, is the process of producing new skin cells to replace existing skin cells. The reason why this ingredient is known to combat aging and acne.

However, the wonders of retinol is best paired with other ingredients to maximize its benefits. The efficacy and potency of retinol plus these ingredients will surely be your skin’s best friend. So, I rounded up other ingredients that you can use together with retinols.

Niacinamide

This duo works to complement each other. Niacinamide helps in strengthening skin barrier and calms the skin. In an article published online, it cited a study that niacinamide lessens the irritation caused by retonic acid. Retonic acid is the result once retinol is on our skin. This then makes the skin more receptive to retinol minus the irritating effects that it can cause to our skin. You can target skin aging, enlarged pores, and uneven skin all in one with these ingredients.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid helps in moisturizing the skin. Retinol on the other hand may have adverse effect on skin if used in large amount like drying, peeling, irritation, and purging. But, if combined with hyaluronic acid, it minimizes the chance of retinol to be drying, irritating, reactive on skin thanks to its moisturizing effect. To use hyaluronic acid with retinol, Dr. Corey Hartman suggests to apply HA first then retinol.

Ceramide

Because of retinol’s stripping and irritating side effects on our skin, moisturizers became a perfect partner for it. Ceramide just like hyaluronic acid, are types of moisturizers said Dr. Anjali Mahto in an article online. “Ceramides are lipids or fats which can function as emollients—these are moisturizing agents that work by filling in the gaps between skin cells and replacing skin lipids”,, the dermatologist added.

Ceramides help in promoting a healthier skin barrier, thus reaping retinol’s benefits to the fullest. Healthier skin barrier means that skin is lesser prone to irritation. An ideal way to use ceramide is during evening, after applying retinol.

What do you think of these combinations? Willing to give them a go? Find more articles by clicking this link.