Can you use Granactive Retinoid with Azelaic Acid?
These two ingredients are very different, but many people wonder if a product with both ingredients would be safe for their skin.
There are both benefits and possible side effects to using these two ingredients together.
Let’s see what this combination can do!
Can You Use Granactive Retinoid With Azelaic Acid?
Yes, you can use Granactive Retinoid with Azelaic Acid and still get great results.
Use a vitamin C serum or cream (this will help to neutralize the acid on your skin and also increase your antioxidant protection).
Use some other form of chemical exfoliation (ex. glycolic or salicylic acid) in between the Granactive Retinoid products and the Azelaic Acid products.
For example, you could start by using an AHA/BHA chemical exfoliator at night for 2-3 weeks, then move on to Granactive Retinoid for 4-5 weeks, then move on to an azelaic acid product for 4-5 weeks.
What Is Granactive Retinoid?
It’s a vitamin A-based derivative that is said to be significantly different than other retinoids. Granactive retinoid (also known as “retinol acid”) is a new ingredient that is supposed to be able to target multiple signs of aging at once, in one powerful product.
Tretinoin, the purest form of vitamin A that’s available over the counter, has been shown to help repair signs of aging and help with cell turnover.
However, it can be extremely irritating and drying to the skin, which makes it difficult to use regularly. Granactive retinoid is supposed to provide some of the benefits of retinol without irritation.
It’s also supposed to work on multiple signs of aging at once, without causing irritation or dryness.
And since there are no studies yet showing how well granactive retinoid works in comparison to retinol, you need to decide if that really is possible for this product.
What Are the Side Effects of Granactive Retinoid?
The side effects of Granactive Retinoid are mild and temporary in nature and may include irritation, redness, flaking, and dryness at the site of application.
If these side effects persist or become bothersome, reduce application frequency or discontinue use.
You can also try using a lower concentration.
How to Use Granactive Retinoid With Azelaic Acid
Granactive Retinoid with Azelaic Acid is a treatment that combines the anti-aging benefits of retinol with the anti-acne properties of azelaic acid.
Treating two concerns at once may seem like a great idea, but there are some unique challenges that come from combining these two ingredients.
Here are some tips for using Granactive Retinoid with Azelaic Acid successfully:
1. Start slowly
Granactive Retinoid with Azelaic Acid has a lot of similarities to Retin-A, which makes it an excellent option for people who want to use retinol but can’t tolerate it well.
However, both products have a strong capacity to irritate skin and cause redness and peeling, so it’s best not to jump right into using Granactive Retinoid with Azelaic Acid every night.
Start by using it one night a week and working your way up from there.
2. Use Granactive Retinoid 2% first
Granactive Retinoid 2% should be applied first as it has a lower concentration than Azelaic Acid and may help prepare skin for the stronger treatment to follow.
Please note that pH-dependent considerations mean it should be applied at a different time to Azelex Cream 15%.
3. Wait 4-5 hours after application of Granactive Retinoid 2%
As with other forms of retinoid, patients may experience some transient burning, stinging, tingling, erythema, and peeling at the site of application.
These effects are temporary and will resolve within 4-5 hours of application.
4. Wait 24 hours after use of Azelex Cream 15%
Due to the pH-dependent properties of Azelex, it should be applied at night so that it has time to absorb into the skin overnight.
You should wait 24 hours after using Azelex before using Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion to allow enough time for your skin to return to normal pH level prior to using a retinoid.
5. Use sunscreen every day
Retinoids make the skin very sensitive to sunlight, so it’s important to use sunscreen every day when you’re using them in any combination.
In addition, many people find their skin becomes extra sensitive to UV light while using retinoids, so it’s extra important to protect yourself from sunlight while using this product (and all retinoids).
6. Use Granactive Retinoid with Azelaic Acid in the PM
This is primarily because retinoids make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so you want to limit their use to the hours before you go to sleep (and even then, only if your sun exposure is minimal).
However, there are also studies showing that retinoids work better at low pH levels (below 5), which occur at night. Therefore, using it at night allows for better and faster results.
Final Thoughts
Of course, you’ll get the most benefits from using Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane if it’s used alone.
But if you already use Azelaic Acid 10%, you can safely use both in conjunction.
Just remember to wait at least a few minutes in between application times to allow the active ingredients to absorb into the skin.
