Yes! Contrary to popular belief, you can use Retinol with Salicylic Acid but proceed with caution. Here’s why.
- Retinol helps reduce visible skin aging while Salicylic Acid clears up breakouts, but using them at the same time can cause irritation.
- Truth is, you CAN use them together – if you use the right product and follow our expert tips.
retinol vs. salicylic acid
Yes! Contrary to popular belief, you can use Retinol with Salicylic Acid to treat breakouts and help reduce the appearance of skin aging without causing irritation. But proceed with caution when you’re using a leave-on treatment.
If you’re dealing with the ups and downs of adult acne, you likely want the best ingredients available in your skin care arsenal: Retinol is the gold standard for reducing the appearance of skin aging, while Salicylic Acid is one of acne’s greatest enemies. In theory, this dynamic duo is exactly what you need to beat adult acne. But traditional Retinol and Salicylic Acid formulas can irritate skin when used together – forcing you to complicate your skin care regimen by applying them at different times of day or sacrifice one skin care benefit for another. Here’s why:
how retinol works on skin
Retinol works by going into the follicle and communicating with cell receptors to help stimulate skin renewal and increase cell turnover. This helps reduce visible signs of skin ageing.
how salicylic acid works
Salicylic Acid removes skin cells superficially (on the skin’s surface), and helps kill breakout-causing bacteria. It is an extremely effective Beta Hydroxy Acid that helps clear blockage in follicles, such as excess oil and debris.
how to use retinol and salicylic acid together
Traditional Retinol formulas can be extremely unstable: they break down upon exposure to light. Furthermore, they don’t play well with Salicylic Acid on skin because the combined effect can be too harsh (think redness, dryness and flaking). To get around this problem, most skin experts recommend using acids only during the day if you’re using Retinol at night. But with Dermalogica’s new Retinol Clearing Oil, we’ve cracked the code.
One is Retinol Clearing Oil. It has a soothing oil base, and combines the benefits of both powerhouse ingredients while helping keep irritation at bay. The oil base also mimics skin lipids, helping to deliver actives deeper into the skin’s surface and trap moisture. This makes it ideal for breakout-prone adult skin, which is often susceptible to dryness and sensitivity.
Or, you can continue to use separate Retinol and Salicylic Acid products. If you choose this route, try not to apply them at the same time. Use Salicylic Acid in the morning and Retinol at night. Those with more sensitive skin may need to use these products on alternate days, or reduce Salicylic Acid use to once a week or on an as-needed basis.
Last but not least: Retinol and Salicylic Acid can both increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so always wear sunscreen. If your current sunscreen feels like it’s generating too much heat (i.e. if you feel a burning sensation), switch to a physical or mineral-based sunscreen.