# Retinal and citric acid Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Australia. Keep them apart Use them on alternate nights because combining them can cause severe skin irritation. Both ingredients work hard to renew the skin, so using them together can overwhelm your face and cause redness or peeling. The shopper can alternate nights or switch to a gentler product. [Retinoids: a journey from the molecular structures and mechanisms of action to clinical uses in dermatology and adverse effects](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28318351/) [Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28585191/) - [All about retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal) - [All about citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid) ### [Retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal) products - [Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/beauty-of-joseon/revive-eye-serum/for/combination-skin) — High fit — [A$48.50 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CTC25796?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/the-ordinary/retinal-0-2-emulsion/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit - [Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/medik8/crystal-retinal-3/for/mature-skin) — High fit - [Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/murad/retinal-resculpt-overnight-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [A$180.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BWGXDCWJ?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [celimax RETINAL SHOT](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/celimax/retinal-shot/for/acne-prone-skin) — Average fit — [A$25.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DK4Y2YP3?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/some-by-mi/retinol-intense-reactivating-serum/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [A$40.25 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BXGW8DRP?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [NATURIUM Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/naturium/retinaldehyde-cream-serum-0-05/for/dry-skin) — Average fit — [A$65.15 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BJL2W71K?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Avène RetrinAL EYES](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/avene/retrinal-eyes/for/dry-skin) — High fit - [Murad Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/murad/retinal-resculpt-body-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Average fit - [K-SECRET SEOUl 1988 EYE CREAM](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/k-secret/seoul-1988-eye-cream/for/mature-skin) — Average fit — [A$26.90 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DGGBYDRZ?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/geek-and-gorgeous/a-game-5/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [A$51.98 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08TTP8589?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Peach & Lily Retinal For All Renewing Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/peach-and-lily/retinal-for-all-renewing-serum/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit ### [Citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid) products - [The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/the-ordinary/salicylic-acid-2-solution/for/dry-skin) — Average fit — [A$10.70 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0C3PCJ6SD?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Baby Unscented)](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/dr-bronner-s/pure-castile-liquid-soap-baby-unscented/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit - [Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/thayers/hydrating-milky-toner/for/dry-skin) — High fit — [A$39.27 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0GNTGSVRV?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/seven-minerals/organic-aloe-vera-gel/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit - [SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/skinceuticals/blemish-age-defense/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit - [Naturie Hatomugi Skin Conditioner](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/naturie/hatomugi-skin-conditioner/for/sensitive-skin) — High fit - [E45 Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/e45/cream/for/dry-skin) — High fit — [A$17.69 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07MJW2BQF?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [NATURIUM BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/naturium/bha-liquid-exfoliant-2/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit - [Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/dr-sam-s/flawless-cleanser/for/dry-skin) — High fit - [Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/kiehl-s/calendula-deep-cleansing-foaming-face-wash/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [A$148.95 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00XM74KMW?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Neutrogena Hydro Boost Micellar Water](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/neutrogena/hydro-boost-micellar-water/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [A$8.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07N7HFJ59?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) - [Garnier SkinActive Blackhead Eliminating Scrub](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/p/garnier-skinactive/blackhead-eliminating-scrub/for/oily-skin) — Low fit — [A$62.29 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B00NVQC4YA?tag=lovi-care-web-product-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) ## Questions and answers ### Can you use retinal and citric acid together? No, you should keep [retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal) and [citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid) apart in your routine. Combining them may cause irritation or barrier disruption because both increase cell turnover, so use them on alternate evenings instead. ### Which goes first, retinal or citric acid? Keep retinal and citric acid apart by using them in separate routine steps, such as applying citric acid in the morning and retinal on alternate evenings. Combining them may cause irritation or barrier disruption because both increase cell turnover. ### Are retinal and citric acid good for sensitive skin? Sensitive, dry, and reactive skin should avoid direct overlap of retinal and citric acid in the same routine step. Both increase cell turnover and may cause irritation or barrier disruption when layered. Instead, alternate their use by applying AHAs like citric acid in the morning or every other night, and retinoids on alternate evenings. ## Research on retinal and citric acid - [Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of a facial serum containing dioic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, LHA, citric acid, and HEPES in treating post-inflammatory hyperchromia and controlling oily skin in patients with acne vulgaris](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33617668/) Citric acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021 - [Comparison of clindamycin 1% and benzoyl peroxide 5% gel to a novel composition containing salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid, HEPES, glycolic acid, citric acid, and dioic acid in the treatment of acne vulgaris](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23545907/) Citric acid · Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013 ## Other combinations - Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Retinol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinol-and-citric-acid) - Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/niacinamide-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Sodium lactate and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/sodium-lactate-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Citric acid and tromethamine](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-tromethamine) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3) - Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-collagen-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-copper-peptide) - Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-hexapeptide-9) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-peptide-rich-plasma) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-triple-peptide-blend) - Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal) - Work well together: [Betaine and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/betaine-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Glycerin and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/glycerin-and-citric-acid) - Depends on the strength: [Hyaluronic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/hyaluronic-acid-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/acetyl-hexapeptide-3-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Carnosine and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/carnosine-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Collagen peptide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/collagen-peptide-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Copper peptide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/copper-peptide-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Citric acid and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-hexapeptide-9) - Keep them apart: [Citric acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4) - Keep them apart: [Citric acid and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1) - Keep them apart: [Citric acid and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-peptide-rich-plasma) - Keep them apart: [Citric acid and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-triple-peptide-blend) - Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Adapalene and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/adapalene-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Granactive retinoid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/granactive-retinoid-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Hydroxypinacolone retinoate and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/hydroxypinacolone-retinoate-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Pro-retinol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/pro-retinol-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Retinoid blend and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinoid-blend-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Tretinoin and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/tretinoin-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid) - Keep them apart: [Retinal and mandelic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-mandelic-acid) - Work well together: [Gluconolactone and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/gluconolactone-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Lactobionic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/lactobionic-acid-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Cholesterol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/cholesterol-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Citric acid and lauric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-lauric-acid) - Work well together: [Linoleic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/linoleic-acid-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Citric acid and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-tri-ceramide-complex) - Work well together: [Arginine and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/arginine-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Citric acid and GABA](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-gaba) - Work well together: [Silk amino acids and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/silk-amino-acids-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Taurine and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/taurine-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Citric acid and theanine](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-theanine) - Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-retinal) - Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinal) - Work well together: [Ferulic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/ferulic-acid-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Vitamin E and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/vitamin-e-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Azelaic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/azelaic-acid-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-citric-acid) - Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-retinal) - Work well together: [Allantoin and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/allantoin-and-citric-acid) - Work well together: [Citric acid and bisabolol](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/citric-acid-and-bisabolol) - Work well together: [Panthenol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/panthenol-and-citric-acid) ## About the Lovi Fit Lovi: Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes. Lovi checks every pairing with brand-independent rules its dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update. Levels from best to worst: Superior, High, Average, Low, Caution, Warning. Behind this pairing advice: Nadia Kapleva, MS (Co-founder, Medical Director); Alexey Shagraev, PhD (Co-founder, CEO and CTO); Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc (Medical Board); Aishani Shah, MD (Medical Board); Asya Zubkova, MS (Medical Board); Hanna Kurets, MD (Medical Board, Medical Advisor); Elina Nazarenko, MD (Medical Board); Victoria Derkova, MS (Medical Board). Page built Nov 8, 2026. More from Lovi: https://lovi.care/skincare/llms.txt ## This page in other countries - United States: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid (this page) - Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid - United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid