Which do you apply first, retinol or hyaluronic acid?Updated a year ago
The ingredient you apply first depends on your skin’s needs and goals. Whichever ingredient goes on your skin first will have the greater impact, and will somewhat dilute whatever you apply over it.
If you’re interested in experiencing the most of retinol’s skin-renewing action, it’s better to apply it first.
That said, for those just starting out or with sensitive skin, it might be better to apply hyaluronic acid first, followed by retinol. This is especially true if you’re using a powerful prescription retinoid with a higher risk of irritation.
The hyaluronic acid will “buffer” the retinol, meaning it will slow its rate of penetration, reducing the chances of irritation but also reducing its efficacy. Afterward, you can apply a moisturizer, which is called the “sandwich method” in skincare circles.
The other factor to consider is how your retinol and hyaluronic acid are formulated. If both are serums, they’ll be lighter and quicker to sink into the skin. If one is formulated as a cream and the other in a serum, it’s best to go thinnest to thickest, applying the serum first followed by the cream.