If you’re not using retinol and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) together in your skin care routine, you’re missing out on some serious anti-aging benefits! Many women over 35 don’t realize how essential these ingredients are for keeping their skin young and healthy. Let me explain a bit about what retinol and AHAs are and why you need them in your regimen.
Retinol and AHAs: How Do They Work?
Before we get started, let’s define what both of these skin care ingredients do.
Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative that speeds up cell turnover. This means it helps shed dead skin cells and promote the growth of new ones. This powerful ingredient can also smooth wrinkles and even out skin tone by increasing collagen production. Increased collagen production means more elasticity and plumpness for your skin. However, because it’s such a powerhouse, it can also be drying and irritating. That’s where AHAs come in.
Alpha hydroxy acids are chemical exfoliants – but they’re also humectants, which make them hydrating. Just the remedy for retinol’s dryness! AHAs are another type of ingredient that helps with cell turnover. They work by dissolving the “glue” that holds together dead skin cells so they can be sloughed off more easily. AHAs are more gentle than retinol, but they can still cause irritation. So again, it’s important to start slow. Apply once a week at first and see how your skin reacts before increasing frequency.
Retinol + AHAs = Power Couple!
Together, these two ingredients can give you some serious results. When used together correctly, retinol and AHAs can help clear up acne scars and sun damage while also preventing future damage from occurring.
When used together, retinol and AHAs can help:
- Reduce the appearance of acne scars
- Visibly erase fine lines, crows feet, smokers lines, and other wrinkles
- Even the appearance of skin tones, even in the case of age spots and hyperpigmentation
- Boost natural collagen production
- Exfoliate dead skin cell, increasing vibrancy and reducing dullness
- Visibly treat sun damaged skin, even in some severe cases of photodamage
Always Test Before Using Any New Skin Care Product
Although retinol and AHAs are both safe for most people to use, it’s important to introduce them into your routine slowly. Start by using them once or twice a week, and then gradually increase the frequency as your skin becomes accustomed to the combination.
If you find the duo to be too strong on your skin together, you can try using retinol and AHAs separately. These two ingredients are a power couple that can help improve the appearance of your skin. And remember to use sunscreen! It’s super important to protect your skin from burning while using these chemical exfoliators.
Ready to Add Retinol and AHAs To Your Skin Care Routine?
So if you’re not using retinol and AHAs together in your skin care regime – what are you waiting for? These two ingredients can transform your skin if used properly.
Need more help creating a personalized skin care routine? Check out my other posts and follow me on Instagram @JustAskDavid for beauty tips! With a little bit of effort, you can create a skin care routine that will give you beautiful, youthful skin for years to come!
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