Both retinol and peptides are highly effective skincare ingredients that can be used together – the trick is knowing how. That’s why, in this article, we’ll discuss what retinol is and what peptides are, what the benefits of each are, and most importantly, how to use retinol and peptides together.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Retinol and peptides are extraordinarily effective ingredients– so effective, in fact, that it’s important to know the right way to use them together so they work the way they’re supposed to.
Good to Know: Although there is some overlap in terms of what retinol and peptides do, these ingredients work well together in part, because they accomplish different yet complementary tasks.
Recommended Products: Eyes Eyes Baby Anti-Aging Eye Cream, ‘A’ Game Retinol Serum, Crème de la Cream Brightening Moisturizer, and Youth Fairy Retinol Moisturizer.
What is Retinol?
It’s all but impossible to know anything about skincare without at least hearing about retinol. Technically, retinol is a type of retinoid. Retinoids are compounds that are derivatives of vitamin A. This powerful antioxidant is well-known not only for its effectiveness, but for its ability to work incredibly quickly, which is why it’s so crucial to use it the right way.
Benefits of Retinol
When used correctly, retinol is a wonderfully effective ingredient. Here are just a few of the benefits of retinol:
- Retinol firms and smooths the skin - Known for its ability to stimulate collagen production, retinol use results firmer, smoother skin.
- Retinol helps reduce the appearance of dark spots - Also proven to increase cell turnover, meaning that the top layer of skin is replaced with newer cells, it helps reveal brighter skin and rid of dark spots.
- Retinol reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles - Increased cell turnover also results in a visible reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Retinol helps unclog pores - Originally used as an acne treatment, retinol is effective at clearing pores for clearer skin.
- Retinol protects the skin’s barrier - Vitamin A contains antioxidant properties and thus, helps protect the skin from environmental stressors trying to harm it.
How to Use Retinol
As we said above, retinol is an incredibly powerful, effective ingredient. Because of that, it’s important to know how to use it correctly. Here are a few tips about how to use retinol most effectively:
Always Use an SPF With Retinol
The newer, healthier skin that is revealed when using retinol is delicate and more vulnerable to the sun’s harsh rays. For that reason, it’s imperative that you always use sunscreen when you use retinol. Of course, you should be using one everyday, anyway!
Always Moisturize With Retinol
Because retinol is a particularly active ingredient that can cause dryness and irritation, it is important to restore your skin with moisture and nourishment.
Alternate Its Application
Because it’s so powerful, retinol can be a bit much when used every day. Always follow the directions given to you by your dermatologist if it is a Rx strength retinol, or stick with the instructions on the label for anything over the counter. Typically, you should start by using a retinol product every other day or every few days, then gradually increase application as your skin adjusts.
Avoid Layering Retinol With Vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs and Benzoyl Peroxide
While you may be able to use these products while using retinol, it is best to avoid applying them at the same time, as it can cause irritation and sensitivity. Consult your dermatologist or skincare professional when using these categories of products together in your skincare routine.
What are Peptides?
Put simply, peptides are amino acids that make up a protein. Found naturally in the skin, they perform different tasks for the skin, depending on how they’re configured. Often referred to as “building blocks, they act as tiny little messengers, signaling proteins in our skin that provide plumpness and strength to “make more, please!” Although they’re in the skin naturally, they become less effective as we age, which is why it’s important to restore them to the skin via skincare.
Benefits of Peptides
Here are just a few of the benefits of peptides:
- Peptides help firm and tighten your skin by helping to stimulate collagen production, making it look younger.
- Peptides help smooth fine lines and wrinkles by signaling it to pump up collagen production.
- Peptides help alleviate temporary redness, as they are also an inflammatory agent.
- Peptides help build a stronger skin barrier by protecting your skin from harmful environmental stressors. This is particularly beneficial for those with sensitized or inflammatory skin.
How To Add Peptides to Your Routine
Want to add peptides to your skincare routine? It’s as easy as including it in your moisturizer and eye cream. Crème de la Cream brightening moisturizer features a blend of peptides that work in tandem with botanical extracts to firm and plump your skin.
Don’t forget to treat the delicate skin around your eyes with Eyes Eyes Baby anti-aging eye cream. The peptides in this formula help to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Can You Use Retinol and Peptides Together?
As you have heard, there’s been some debate about whether you should use peptides and retinol together. This is largely due to the fact that both ingredients are so powerful. The short answer to this question is yes, you can use retinol and peptides together! In fact, they compliment each other very well. Because retinol can cause irritation and dryness in the skin, peptides come along and help reduce that irritation and strengthen the skin. They both also have great anti-aging properties, so you would do well by including both in your skincare routine.
For this reason, we’ve included peptides in our retinol moisturizer, Youth Fairy. The perfect retinol product for beginners, Youth Fairy includes a nourishing blend of botanical extracts to smooth your skin while retinol gets to work on reducing lines and dark spots and evening out your skin tone.
When you are ready for a more concentrated dose of retinol, our ‘A’ Game retinol serum combines peptides with retinol, plus the antioxidant benefits of plant stem cells, to effectively reveal younger-looking skin.
How To Use Retinol and Peptides Together
Always Use an SPF
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again– anytime you use retinol, follow up with sunscreen. It is important to protect your rejuvenated skin from the same harmful UV rays that likely caused the damage you are trying to get rid of in the first place.
Alternate Their Use
It’s not a bad idea to use your retinol in the evening (when you won’t be exposing your skin to the sun), and peptides in the morning (to replenish the skin’s natural protective barrier when you face the elements). Of course, you can use a product that includes both peptides and retinol to obtain the benefits of both.
Apply Retinol First
The rule of thumb is to use the stronger ingredients first, so apply retinol before applying peptides when using them in separate products. Again, if your skincare product features both ingredients, like in our Anti-Aging Duo Bundle, then you don’t need to worry about how to layer it.
We hope this article will clarify how best to use retinol and peptides together. It’s really as easy as finding great anti-aging skincare products that combine these two powerhouse ingredients together for you, so you reap the benefits. We’ve bundled together our retinol serum and moisturizer in one package to make it easy for you to reach your skincare goals.
