Can you use retinol and hyaluronic acid together?
Yes — they work well together
Yes. Hyaluronic acid is a gentle humectant that can make the dryness retinol often causes more comfortable.
Why
Hyaluronic acid draws water into the top layers of the skin and doesn't exfoliate or irritate, so it doesn't add to retinol's side effects. It's one of the easiest ingredients to pair with almost anything.
How to use them
- Apply hyaluronic acid to slightly damp skin, then retinol, then moisturiser. Or use retinol first and a moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid.
- If retinol stings, try a buffer: moisturiser first, then retinol, then moisturiser again.
Read more about each ingredient
Not sure what's in a product? Paste its ingredient list into our ingredient checker to see which actives it contains.
Other combinations
- Can you use retinol and vitamin C together? — use at different times
- Can you use retinol and AHAs together? — use at different times
- Can you use retinol and salicylic acid together? — use at different times
- Can you use retinol and niacinamide together? — works well together
- Can you use retinol and benzoyl peroxide together? — use at different times
- Can you use azelaic acid and retinol together? — yes, with care
Last reviewed 20 Oct 2026.
This is educational information, not medical advice. Introduce one new active at a time and patch test. If you use prescription skincare, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your GP, pharmacist or dermatologist first.
