Can You Use Retinol With BHA?
Not in the same routine.
Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and penetrates into the pore lining, so combining it with a retinoid compounds irritation deep in the follicle. Expect flaking around the nose and chin within days.
How to use Retinol and BHA
Separate by night. If you need both, use BHA only on the congested zone and keep at least 24 hours between the two.
General guidance from common dermatological advice, not medical advice. If you use a prescription treatment, follow your prescriber’s instructions.
In the catalog
Products that already contain both
A single formula that combines the two has been balanced by the brand, which is not the same as layering two separate treatments.
Layering
Related pairings
- Retinol with AHADo not combine
- Tretinoin with BHADo not combine
- Retinol with Benzoyl PeroxideDo not combine
- Retinol with Vitamin CSeparate or space out
- Vitamin C with BHASeparate or space out
- AHA with BHASeparate or space out
- PHA with RetinolSeparate or space out
- Azelaic Acid with RetinolSeparate or space out
- Niacinamide with RetinolWorks well together
- Centella Asiatica with RetinolWorks well together
- Hyaluronic Acid with RetinolWorks well together
Check your actual products
The Routine Check reads the actives in each product you add, flags every clash between your morning and evening steps, and puts them in the order to apply them.
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