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What’s More Effective for Wrinkles: Hyaluronic Acid or Retinol?

If you’re concerned about achieving better-looking skin, especially one without wrinkles, you most likely would have asked one of the many questions most skincare enthusiasts have asked: should I use hyaluronic acid or retinol? But really, they both do different things; so it’s like comparing grapes to mangoes.

Hyaluronic acid and retinol are two common products that people use to improve the look of their skin, especially when it comes to achieving moisturized skin or eliminating wrinkles due to aging. These two products are ideal for people looking to keep their skin in good condition and improve their skin’s resilience against viruses and bacteria.

In general, hyaluronic acid is great for people looking to keep dry skin moisturized, while retinol is best for encouraging the skin to produce more collagen. Depending on your skin rejuvenation goals, opting for hyaluronic or retinol will produce different results on your skin. So, to make the best choice for your skin, you need to understand better how they work, as well as their differentiating ingredients.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a type of body carbohydrate, otherwise known as glycosaminoglycan, and is present in every cell in the body. However, it is most abundant in the cells of the skin. The skin naturally produces hyaluronic acid. This substance stays on the surface of the skin, where it plays a critical role in moisturizing the skin by attracting water and holding it there.

Hyaluronic acid typically holds up to 1000x its volume of water, a property that helps it hydrate dry skin. However, the quantity of hyaluronic acid produced naturally in the body is not always enough to keep the skin moisturized. This is where formulated hyaluronic acid skin care products come in.

Unlike regular inorganic acids like nitric and sulphuric acids, hyaluronic does not exfoliate the skin; rather, it hydrates and nourishes it. Here are other specific ways that hyaluronic acid benefits the body:

• It helps in healing wounds by reducing inflammation and bacteria growth
• Increase the elasticity and bounce of your skin by hydrating it. This means that it quickly returns to its shape when pulled or poked.
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles very fast

Unfortunately, as a person ages, this amazing natural skin moisturizer is produced in fewer quantities. This leaves your skin dry, cracked, and irritated. So to augment the production of hyaluronic acid, you can opt for the formulated ones. They are commonly available as creams and serums. But be sure that you purchase a product with the right amount of the active ingredient, which is hyaluronic acid.

Retinol

It’s a unanimous agreement among dermatologists that retinol is an effective anti-aging substance, whether used in a serum or cream. People looking to push back obvious signs of aging like skin wrinkles use retinol products on their skin topically.

Retinol is a subcategory and type of retinoid. It is a derivative of vitamin A, which is obtained when vitamin A penetrates the skin. Clinically, retinol has been proven to be able to alter the skin on a cellular level. Like hyaluronic acid, it is also an organic chemical. As an antioxidant, it can increase the rate at which your skin makes new cells and replaces the older skin cells on the surface.

Here are some specific functions of retinol on your skin:

• Boosts collagen and elastin production in the body, which helps in plumping up the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• It helps reduce inflammation
• Reduce signs of skin aging, sun spots, sun damage, and other skin damages
• It helps fight pigmentation increasing skin cell turnover and preventing melanin production
• It helps in unclogging pores and acne

There are different retinol products out there, but the primary concern has always been the effectiveness of those products. Because of the varying amounts of the active ingredients in retinol cream and serum products, the results you get may vary. Also, keep in mind that retinol can make your skin dry since it works as an excellent exfoliating agent.

Another thing about using retinol is that it can cause skin irritation, especially when you start using it. So it is best to apply it to dry skin to reduce the risk of irritation, and depending on your skin type, use it once a day.

Hyaluronic vs retinol: which is most effective?

Since retinol and hyaluronic acid both do different things, you really do not have to choose between the two. In fact, experts suggest that combining both products can give you better skin rejuvenation results faster.

However, retinol is most effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles because it instructs your skin to increase skin cell turnover. Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is best for keeping your skin moisturized. But when applying it to your skin, you might want to use a moisturizer in order to lock in more water, close your skin barrier, and reduce irritation.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for an effective product against wrinkles, you might be better off using retinol. Even though hyaluronic acid also helps fight the signs of aging on the skin, it is best used for keeping the skin moisturized and preventing cracking and irritation in less humid circumstances.

For the best results, we recommend speaking with an expert before purchasing any of these products. If you’re new to skincare products or still in doubt about which to choose, you can contact us at Stamford Chemicals at (949) 468 0555 or (949) 812 6690. With over 16 years of experience in the manufacturing and sales of phytochemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates, and various skin care products, we can help you make the best voice for your skincare.