Layering active ingredients helps double down on efforts for good skin while combating pressing concerns. The only catch? These skincare acids ought to be compatible. Case in point, Niacinamide with Hyaluronic Acid restores your skin’s moisture reservoir, whereas Niacinamide with Salicylic Acid regulates sebum production for a balanced microbiome. This list is endless... 

In this blog, we explore yet another pair of active ingredients – Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid. A type of Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Glycolic Acid exfoliates the skin, unveiling a bright, clear surface. On the other hand, HA draws moisture molecules to the skin for its prolonged hydration. So, can you pair these together? The answer is a resounding yes. Keep reading to learn how. But before we get to the big reveal, let’s learn more individually about Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid.  

What Is Glycolic Acid?  

A type of AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid), Glycolic Acid is derived from sugarcane. Unlike Beta Hydroxy Acids, Glycolic Acid isn’t oil soluble. The active ingredient boasts a smaller molecular size, allowing it to percolate the skin and deliver best results. But what exactly can I use Glycolic Acid for   

Benefits of Glycolic Acid   

1. Exfoliation: The primary function of Glycolic Acid is exfoliation. For those unaware, exfoliation involves the shedding of dead-dried cells to ensure a smooth, radiant base.  

2. Tackles dullness: By supporting the cellular renewal process, Glycolic Acid enhances your skin's latent brightness. It also fades pesky dark spots and pigmentation with time for an even complexion.  

3. Softens fine lines and wrinkles: Topical application of Glycolic Acid boosts Collagen production in the skin cells. Use it regularly to fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, and more. 

What Are Some Potential Side Effects Of Using Glycolic Acid?  

A handful of individuals may experience the following Glycolic Acid side effects.

1. Skin irritation: Folks with sensitive skin may experience redness, irritation, and itchiness on applying Glycolic Acid.  

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?  

A powerful humectant, Hyaluronic Acid holds water molecules to the skin for its long-lasting hydration. According to research, HA can bind X1000 in its weight to the dermis. 

Can Glycolic Acid And Hyaluronic Acid Be Used Together?  

We have already revealed that Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid can be used together. The two skincare acids are a match made in heaven. Here’s how they complement each other -

1. Hyaluronic Acid and Glycolic Acid minimize the risk of inflammation: As seen earlier, Glycolic Acid may cause inflammation, redness, and other flare-ups during exfoliation. The powerful humectant Hyaluronic Acid helps offset any such reaction on the skin.  

2. Hyaluronic Acid and Glycolic Acid ensure better hydration: Yes, you read that right. Glycolic Acid removes buildup from the pores (dirt, grime, and other impurities) ensuring better absorption of the Hyaluronic Acid serum. HA molecules seep into the deepest layer of the skin for sustained hydration.  

3. Hyaluronic Acid and Glycolic Acid improve skin texture: We know that Glycolic Acid helps shed dead cells to reveal a smooth, radiant surface sitting underneath. Moreover, Hyaluronic Acid makes the dermis appear supple and smooth. 

4. Hyaluronic Acid and Glycolic Acid help reverse ageing: Using Glycolic and Hyaluronic Acid together doubles down on efforts for anti-ageing. While the AHA derivative facilitates healthy cellular regeneration, Hyaluronic Acid boosts Collagen production in the dermis over time. 

How To Use Glycolic Acid And Hyaluronic Acid Together   

Now that you’re well-versed in the combined benefits of Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid, here’s how you can use the pair in your routine -

1. Start by gently cleaning your face. Opt for a pH-balancing, gentle face wash that restores moisture molecules into the skin – preventing it from drying. We recommend Foxtale’s Hydrating Face Wash with Hyaluronic Acid for the job. Also infused with Red Algae, the formula removes excess sebum and unclogs pores for a balanced microbiome.  

While efficacious and mostly safe, topical application of Glycolic Acid may result in redness, inflammation, and flare-ups – in a handful of individuals. To avoid this problem, here are some best practices and tips you can use    

1. Patch test the product: Before adding the new Glycolic Acid product to your routine, do conduct a patch test. Dab a small amount of the product on your neck and keep a close watch for any atypical activity.   

2. Use a small concentration of the active: To help your skin get accustomed to Glycolic Acid, start out with a small concentration (5 to 10%) of the product. This will help minimize the risk of inflammation.  

3. Frequency of use: Use any Glycolic Acid product only 2 to 3 times a week – nothing more. Using it daily can lead to extreme reactions, rashes, hives, and more.  

4. Pairing with other actives: Avoid pairing Glycolic Acid with other strong ingredients like Retinol and Vitamin C on the same day.  

Who Should Avoid Using Glycolic Acid?  

Here are some people who should avoid using Glycolic Acid -

1. Folks with damaged skin or with an impaired barrier

2. People who have extremely sensitive skin that is prone to flareups 

Your skin’s moisture levels determine all its core functionalities. Case in point, adequate hydration makes your skin look more elastic, ensures the lipid barrier is at its robust best, and regulates body temperature – among other things. Therefore, we recommend not one but two ingredients to boost the skin’s moisture bank, Niacinamide and Peptides.  

This blog delves deeper into these two buzz ingredients (re: Niacinamide and Peptides), their respective benefits, and how to layer them into your daily skincare routine. So, keep reading - 

What Are Peptides? What Is Their Role In Skincare? 

Peptides are breakthrough stars in the skincare world, especially where age-reversing is concerned. These smaller amino acid chains penetrate the lipid barrier to boost Collagen production in the skin cells. So, if you want to soften fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet –adding a Peptide-based cream or serum is the way forward. Moreover, Peptides do their bit to bolster the barrier, directing efforts towards long-lasting hydration – more on that later. 

What Is Niacinamide? What Is Its Role In Skincare? 

Niacinamide is a type of Vitamin B3 that is found in eggs, poultry, nuts, green leafy veggies, and more. But due to its water-soluble nature, you need topical products to fight dullness, fine lines, and inflammation with Niacinamide. One of the biggest benefits of Niacinamide is maintaining hydration. Use it in a serum or cream format to prevent TEWL or transepidermal water loss. 

Peptides And Niacinamide: The Perfect Pair For Moisture Boost 

As discussed earlier, Peptides ensure repair activities and strengthen the barrier. Whereas Niacinamide curbs water loss to a great extent. This is how the two ingredients, Peptides and Niacinamide work in synergy to keep your skin hydrated for prolonged periods. 

Incorporating Peptides And Niacinamide In Your Skincare Routine 

There are a plethora of Peptides and Niacinamide infused products in the market. However, to ensure fast and long-lasting results use the two ingredients in the serum format. Whether you’re the pair in your morning or nighttime skincare routine, ensure to start with  

P.S. Cleansing is also crucial to ensure better absorption of your Peptide or Niacinamide treatment. 

2. Treatment: Next, apply your Peptide or Niacinamide Serum with a light hand on your face. Observe caution around sensitive areas like the eyes and the mouth. Since Niacinamide forms a protective seal for moisture retention, we recommend applying it towards the end.  

3. Seal: Now, use a potent moisturizer to seal hydration and treatment into your skin. To banish dry and rough patches, use a thick, cream-based formula with Hyaluronic Acid. Although Niacinamide is dubbed for all skin types, layering a soothing moisturizer helps offset any accidental inflammation or flareups. 

4. SPF: Sunscreen is non-negotiable in your skincare routine. A broad-spectrum sunscreen shields your skin against harmful UV rays to prevent burns, tanning, pigmentation, and photoaging. Since using active ingredients (like Niacinamide) might make your skin photosensitive, swear by your sunscreen tube at all times. Additionally, don protective clothing as continued sun exposure criminally dehydrates the skin. 

Other Benefits Of Niacinamide And Peptides Together  

Besides improving hydration, Peptides and Niacinamide extend several other benefits to the skin- 

Common Myths And Misconceptions About Peptides And Niacinamide  

To leverage the maximum benefits of Niacinamide and Peptides, here are some myths you should steer clear of   

Myth 1: Peptides only work on anti-aging: False. Other than age-reversing, you can employ it to address skin dehydration, inflammation, and a weakened barrier.  

Myth 2: Niacinamide works only for oily skin: This is one of the biggest skincare myths to exist. Niacinamide is an all-rounder that targets and addresses concerns like oiliness, dehydration, and sensitivity, making it a good fit for all skin types.  

Myth 3: Higher concentration of Niacinamide works better on the skin: That’s not true. We always recommend starting with a low concentration of Niacinamide, to help your skin get accustomed to the active. If your skin responds well, feel free to increase the frequency of use and concentration. 

Conclusion 

If you want to double down on efforts for hydration, try adding Peptides and Niacinamide to your skincare routine. While Peptides undertake repair activities, Niacinamide strengthens the barrier to reduce TEWL to a great extent.  

FAQs  

 1. Can Peptides and Niacinamide be used together? 

Yes, Peptides and Niacinamide can be used together for improved skin hydration. 

Yes, Peptides and Niacinamide are suitable for all skin types. Having said that, we recommend conducting a patch test to minimize the risk of flareups. 

The pair of Niacinamide and Peptides will show results between 4 to 6 weeks. 

If your skin looks dull, flaky, and tired, there are chances it's dehydrated. For the unaware, dehydration occurs when your skin’s moisture bank runs very low – more on that ahead. Not to be confused with dryness, dehydration is an underlying concern that impacts folks with different skin types.    

The good news is that dehydration can be reversed with simple tweaks in your skincare and daily lifestyle. So, keep reading. We help you with signs to recognize dehydration and how to treat it right. 

Difference Between Dry And Dehydrated Skin 

Contrary to the common misconception, dry and dehydrated skin aren’t the same. Dryness occurs when your skin loses moisture molecules drastically, a.k.a. transepidermal water loss. This is because dry skin sees less than adequate sebum production, failing to lock the hydration into the dermis. 

On the other hand, dehydration occurs when your skin’s moisture content is depleted. You can experience dehydration with dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin types. 

Signs Of Dehydrated Skin  

Wondering if your skin is dehydrated? Scroll ahead for the most common signs and symptoms of this underlying concern -

1. Dull and tired looking skin: Ample hydration contributes significantly to your skin’s glow. That’s right. The lack of moisture molecules impacts the skin’s elasticity and ability to reflect light – making it look dull and tired.

2. A weakened barrier: The skin’s outermost layer a.k.a. the lipid barrier fends off harmful pathogens, bacteria, pollutants, and other environmental aggressors. Timely and adequate hydration ensures this barrier’s optimal functionality for healthy skin. On the other hand, dehydration weakens the barrier and leads to inflammation and flare-ups.

3. Fine lines and wrinkles: Dehydration in the long run results in the skin looking shallow and less elastic. On top of this, the reduced Collagen levels cause premature fine lines and wrinkles.

4. Increased oiliness despite dryness: Yes, you read that right. The lack of hydration cues the sebaceous glands into overdrive mode – leading to more greasiness than ever. This implies that hydration is vital for all skin types including oily. 

Causes Of Dehydrated Skin 

Dehydrated skin can occur due to a plethora of reasons. Ahead, we list the common ones -

1. Not drinking enough water: If you’re not hydrating enough (internally), the first place you will see an impact is your skin. It may look rough, flaky, dull and/or inflamed. To circumvent this problem, we recommend at least 8 glasses of water daily. The best drinks for hydration also include infused water (water infused with fruits and herbs).

2. Use a hydrating skincare routine: The best way to revive your dull, dehydrated skin? Invest in a hydrating skincare routine comprising 5 steps.

- Cleanse: Use a gentle and non-drying face wash to remove dirt, grime, and other impurities from the pores. This step ensures better absorption of your hydrating serum/treatment. 

- Tone: Expel remaining impurities or makeup residue with a toner in your skincare rotation. This lightweight formula restores your skin’s pH while boosting hydration. 

FAQs 

1. What is the best serum for dehydrated skin? 

Foxtale’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum works well for dehydrated skin. The formula seeps 6X deep into the skin to replenish its moisture reservoir.

2. Can drinking more water really improve skin hydration?  

Yes, drinking more water does improve hydration only when supplemented with an infallible skincare routine. 

Conclusion 

Dehydration occurs when your skin’s moisture reservoir is low. This concern looks different for different folks, with symptoms ranging from itchiness to dullness to sunken eyes. If your skin is dehydrated, adhere to hydrating skincare, drink 8 glasses of water daily, steer clear of exfoliation, and load up on hydrating fruits and veggies