It's no secret that some skin care products are just not worth the money. In an interview with Byrdie, Marina Peredo, a board-certified dermatologist, shared what she believes are essential products in achieving the healthy, youthful glow we all crave. Not surprisingly, two ingredients that top her list are hyaluronic acid and retinol.
Per The Chub Scout, hyaluronic acid — which is naturally found in the body — works by retaining water within the skin, leaving your face looking plump and glowy. Although it's an acid, it doesn't have the harsh, abrasive qualities that you might expect from an acid. It's nourishing and hydrating — like giving your face a drink of water.
Retinol, on the other hand, works at the cellular level to regenerate your skin's outermost layer more quickly by increasing the production of collagen and elastin, according to Healthline. For those new to retinol, it can be a bit irritating and drying at first since it's encouraging the skin to turn over more quickly, sometimes resulting in peeling and redness. That's why some prefer to start a retinol regimen by only applying it a few times a week and building up from there, giving your skin time to adjust to the ingredient.
These two ingredients paired together create an environment for the regenerative processes to take place while keeping skin hydrated. When used together, these two ingredients have all the anti-aging bases covered.
But there are a few more things you should know about retinol before introducing it into your skincare regimen.
