Can You Use Salicylic Acid With Retinol? Yes, but There’s a Right Way to Do It

If you’ve ever had acne, chances are you’re familiar with salicylic acid and retinol. These two popular skin care ingredients are very effective at treating pimples and keeping breakouts at bay. One way they work is by exfoliating the skin, removing dead skin cells that build up on the skin surface. The flip side is that they can cause serious skin irritation if not used correctly.

So if you’re wondering whether you can — or should — combine these two powerful ingredients in your skin care routine, here’s the answer: Yes, you can. But in order to avoid major skin irritation, it’s important to do that in the right way. Below, we’ll get into the specifics of how to do that, how to choose which products to use, and some risks to be aware of.

How do you combine salicylic acid and retinol?

The key to combining salicylic acid and retinol is to go slowly and pay attention to how your skin responds. This won’t be the same for everyone. 

Here are the basic steps to take:

1. Start with one ingredient first. Whether you start with salicylic acid or retinol, it doesn’t matter much. If you start with retinol, you should use this at night. That’s because some formulations are inactivated by ultraviolet light. If you start with salicylic acid, consider using this in the morning. 

2. Go slow. To minimize irritation, start by using this first product every other day. Once your skin adapts, you can work your way up to daily use.

3. Let your skin get used to it. It can take some time (like many weeks) for your skin to adapt. You’ll know your skin has adapted once you don’t have any signs of skin irritation, like dryness and redness.

4. Add the second ingredient. Next, start the second ingredient slowly. Just like the first ingredient, start every other day, and work your way up to daily use (if possible). If your skin gets irritated with everyday use, it’s OK to stick to every other day.   

5. Alternate your products between morning and night. Because retinol needs to be used at night, use your salicylic acid product in the morning to minimize skin irritation.

6. Check in with your skin. If you notice irritation, redness, or dryness that doesn’t settle, you may need to space out your use to every other day or more, or try a lower-strength product. 

Example of a skin care routine

Now that we’ve covered the basics of how to combine salicylic acid and retinol, here’s an example of what your skin care routine might look like in practice. 

Morning routine 

1. Wash your face with a salicylic acid cleanser.

2. Follow with a moisturizer while your skin is still a little bit damp.

3. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen. 

Night routine

1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.

2. Apply a small amount of retinol product to dry skin and let it absorb.

3. Apply a moisturizer. (For very dry skin, you can use moisturizer before the retinol.)

How do salicylic acid and retinol affect your skin?

Salicylic acid and retinol both work very well to treat acne, but they have different effects on the skin. They also have other skin benefits beyond treating acne. This means that using these ingredients together can help maximize their individual effects on the skin.  

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Benefits of salicylic acid 

Salicylic acid is a type of beta-hydroxy acid used to treat a wide range of skin conditions, including acne, warts, and psoriasis. It’s an exfoliating agent that works by loosening and removing the dead skin cells that build up and clog pores, causing acne. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. 

At higher concentrations, salicylic acid can also be used as a chemical peel to treat:

• Sun damage (photodamage), including fine lines and wrinkles

• Melasma

• Sunspots

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Benefits of retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that’s used in many over-the-counter (OTC) skin care products. Retinoids are also available in higher strengths on prescription, like tretinoin (Retin-A). One exception is adapalene (Differin), which is available OTC. 

Retinol and other retinoids have many proven skin benefits. They are very effective at treating and preventing all types of acne. They can also help minimize the signs of aging by:

• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles

• Exfoliating and smoothing out skin texture

• Evening out skin tone and fading dark spots

• Increasing collagen production

Choosing the right products

Finding the right products for you can take some time, some expense, and some trial and error. There are many different options available, which can feel a little overwhelming when getting started. Here are some basic guidelines to help you along the way.

How to choose a salicylic acid product

Salicylic acid is available OTC in many different strengths and formulations. It can be irritating when you first start using it, so it’s best to start low and go slow. Here are some other tips to help you find the best product:

• Start with a lower concentration product, like 0.5%.

• For sensitive skin, use a cleanser or toner rather than a leave-on product.

• Find products that include other soothing ingredients, like hyaluronic acid.

How to choose a retinol product

When starting retinol, it’s best to start with a lower concentration, like 0.2%. Once your skin is used to it, you can increase the strength.

There are many different retinol formulations available. Which one you choose depends on different factors, including what you’re hoping to treat and your skin type: 

• Dry skin: Emollients or creams

• Oily skin: Gels or serums

• Combination skin: Serums or lightweight creams

Keep in mind that retinol can go by different names in OTC products, including:

• Retinaldehyde

• Retinyl esters

• Retinoid (in adapalene 0.1%)

What are the risks of using salicylic acid with retinol?

Used alone, retinol and salicylic acid can both be very irritating to the skin. Using them together can increase that risk and lead to skin flaking, redness, irritation, and pain.

Keep in mind that some people with very sensitive or dry skin may not be able to successfully  combine retinol with salicylic acid. In this situation, sticking to one product is best.

What should you not use with retinol?

Retinol can be very irritating to your skin, especially when you first start using it. So, you should avoid other potentially harsh products until your skin gets used to the retinol. In addition to avoiding salicylic acid, you should also avoid facial scrubs and benzoyl peroxide. 

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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