HOW TO LAYER AND APPLY RETINOL SERUM
Retinol or vitamin A is known for its effectiveness, and including it in your routine can bring about beautiful and visible results. The ingredient can target ageing skin, acne-prone concerns and roughened skin texture - but knowing the right way to apply it is important for a successful outcome.
Strong skincare formulas like retinol do their best work when supported by the right skincare routine. Combining gentle ingredients like hyaluronic acid and retinol together help skin throughout the renewal process and ensure that moisture levels are kept at an optimal level.
Ahead, we walk through layering products like retinol and vitamin C , and show what order to apply retinol and hyaluronic acid alongside your other favourite formulas.
HOW TO LAYER RETINOL
You may already be familiar with the term ‘skincare layering’. The method refers to combining ingredients which benefit and support each other to enhance your skincare routine. Layering can mean applying multiples of the same step such as serums, or combining certain ingredients across different products. To get the most out of vitamin A, see what order to apply retinol and hyaluronic acid alongside other beneficial ingredients below.
CAN I MIX HYALURONIC ACID WITH RETINOL?
Throughout skin cell renewal, moisture support helps to ensure the skin barrier retains strength and that skin remains comfortable. Enter hyaluronic acid – the naturally occurring hydrating superpower (which probably already features in your routine!). Combining hyaluronic acid and retinol is highly recommended for every retinol-infused routine. A popular method of using the two ingredients is called ‘sandwiching’. This refers to layering your retinol product between moisturisers – starting with a regular formula and finishing with a thick textured product. A hyaluronic acid-based moisturiser is perfect for this!
CAN I USE RETINOL AND VITAMIN C TOGETHER?
The combined benefits of retinol and vitamin C make for an efficacious anti-ageing routine – but it’s important to use them in the right way. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means that is can address cell stress that results in concerns like dark spots . Because much of this skin stress is caused by UV radiation, vitamin C serums like Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate can help skin most when applied as part of your morning routine. To support skin strength, your retinol product should feature as part of your evening routine. Interchange retinol and vitamin C in your PM and AM skincare regime respectively to best harness the benefits of these ingredients.
CAN I USE AHA AND RETINOL TOGETHER?
Alpha hydroxy acids (or AHAs) are water-based exfoliants which help to shed dead cells from the surface layer of skin. While retinol isn’t an exfoliant, their functions do share similarities. Because of this, we recommend spacing out the application of these ingredients. They can both be included in a skincare routine to address signs of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce pore size and even skin tone – to do so in a way that supports skin comfort, alternate the days of the week you apply AHAs like glycolic acid and retinol.
CAN I USE NIACINAMIDE AND RETINOL TOGETHER?
Niacinamide (or vitamin B3) is a moisturising skincare ingredient, which makes it a perfect companion for retinol. Used in hydrating products like cleansers and moisturisers, niacinamide stabilises water content in skin and helps to keep moisture present. By incorporating niacinamide into morning and evening anti-ageing routines, you can help to promote skin’s volume. We recommend either layering niacinamide after retinol or using niacinamide in your morning skincare routine and retinol in the evening.
HOW TO LAYER RETINOL
Retinol’s skin-boosting ability is all thanks to its relationship to skin cell renewal. A derivative of vitamin A, retinol works by speeding up the skin cell cycle, uncovering younger skin in the process. This can aid in reducing pore size, addressing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improving the feel and look of skin texture. Now that you know where to place ingredients like glycolic acid and retinol in a routine, select the right retinol formula for your skin goals.
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum:
A daily dose serum suitable for sensitive skin types. Formulated for anti-ageing skincare routines, this retinol serum helps to firm the feeling of skin, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and encourage a uniform texture. To promote absorption in sensitive skin types and first time retinol users, pure retinol is combined with peptides and ceramides, which support moisture and comfort in skin.
Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle Reducing Night Serum
This 0.3% retinol serum penetrates skin layers deeply, accelerating skin renewal for optimum anti-ageing results. Our most concentrated retinol serum, this formula should be implemented at night time, to allow absorption while skin rests. Opt for a hydrating and gentle cleanser before application and following with a supportive and thick-textured moisturiser. We recommend this retinol serum for those seeking to address the appearance of ageing skin signs like wrinkles and roughened skin texture.
Loved this guide? Keep reading to discover the benefits of Retinol for skin.
SHOP THE SELECTION
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
The Daily Micro-Dose Skin-Renewing Retinol Serum is a potent daily retinol serum which visibly reduces wrinkles, firms skin and refines the feel of skin's texture. Suitable for all skin types, the Kiehl's Micco-Dose Skin-Renewing Daily Retinol Serum is the best retinol for beginners and those with sensitive skin.
Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum
The Kiehl's wrinkle-reducing night serum with Retinol helps to advance skin surface cell renewal. As our most concentrated dose of retinol to date, our innovative powder-to-serum technology allows a fresh, highly concentrated formula to sink into the skin.
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
The Kiehl's Powerful Strength Line Reducing Concentrate, formulated with 12.5% Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, helps visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and pores while firming and smoothing skin for a radiant, plump complexion.
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