# Glycolic acid and retinal

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United States.

Keep them apart

Use them on alternate nights because they are both strong and can irritate your skin when mixed. Using them together can make your skin red, dry, and sensitive. Try using a gentler strength or waiting longer between applications.

[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 glycolic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid)
- [All about retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal)

### [Glycolic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid) products

- [The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/the-ordinary/glycolic-acid-7-toning-solution/for/combination-skin) — Superior fit — [$13.50 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071914GGL?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/roc/retinol-correxion-deep-wrinkle-night-cream/for/dark-spots) — High fit — [$21.97 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00027DMI8?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/first-aid-beauty/kp-bump-eraser-body-scrub/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [$36.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GSX3TH63?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/first-aid-beauty/facial-radiance-pads/for/sensitive-skin) — Superior fit — [$39.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G8TPX5DR?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/murad/rapid-dark-spot-correcting-serum/for/acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [$88.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KR79NBR?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/skinbetter-science/alpharet-overnight-cream/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — High fit
- [St. Ives Apricot Scrub](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/st-ives/apricot-scrub/for/dry-skin) — Average fit
- [COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/cosrx/aha-bha-clarifying-treatment-toner/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [$14.97 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P6BPF5?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/dr-dennis-gross/alpha-beta-universal-daily-peel/for/acne-prone-skin) — Superior fit — [$22.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JCCQC6?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Pixi Glow Tonic](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/pixi/glow-tonic/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [$28.42 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KH6QX08?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/good-molecules/overnight-exfoliating-treatment/for/oily-skin) — Superior fit — [$5.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TMDRF1L?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/cerave/skin-renewing-nightly-exfoliating-treatment/for/acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [$23.86 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098RBCQ4Z?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

### [Retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal) products

- [Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/beauty-of-joseon/revive-eye-serum/for/combination-skin) — High fit — [$17.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B45LL4DD?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/the-ordinary/retinal-0-2-emulsion/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [$14.90 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ5VG3L1?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/medik8/crystal-retinal-3/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [$66.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHX7NYJG?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Murad Retinal ReSculpt Overnight Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/murad/retinal-resculpt-overnight-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [$109.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWGXDCWJ?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [celimax RETINAL SHOT](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/celimax/retinal-shot/for/acne-prone-skin) — Average fit — [$18.24 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK4Y2YP3?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Some By Mi Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/some-by-mi/retinol-intense-reactivating-serum/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [$20.60 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXGW8DRP?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [NATURIUM Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.05%](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/naturium/retinaldehyde-cream-serum-0-05/for/dry-skin) — Average fit — [$22.99 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJL2W71K?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Avène RetrinAL EYES](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/avene/retrinal-eyes/for/dry-skin) — High fit
- [Murad Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/murad/retinal-resculpt-body-treatment/for/mature-skin) — Average fit
- [K-SECRET SEOUl 1988 EYE CREAM](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/k-secret/seoul-1988-eye-cream/for/mature-skin) — Average fit — [$21.40 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGGBYDRZ?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 5](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/geek-and-gorgeous/a-game-5/for/oily-acne-prone-skin) — High fit — [$16.90 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TTP8589?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Peach & Lily Retinal For All Renewing Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/p/peach-and-lily/retinal-for-all-renewing-serum/for/dry-sensitive-skin) — Average fit — [$55.00 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRK6TC5T?tag=lovi-care-web-product-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

## Questions and answers

### Can you use glycolic acid and retinal together?

No, you should keep [glycolic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid) and [retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal) apart by using them on alternate evenings or using glycolic acid in the morning, because combining them in the same routine step may cause irritation or barrier disruption.

### Which goes first, glycolic acid or retinal?

Keep glycolic acid and retinal apart by not using them in the same routine step, as both increase cell turnover and may cause irritation when layered. Instead, alternate their use by applying glycolic acid in the morning or every other night, and retinal on alternate evenings.

### Are glycolic acid and retinal good for sensitive skin?

Glycolic acid and retinal should be kept apart, and sensitive skin should avoid any direct overlap between them. Both increase cell turnover and may cause irritation or barrier disruption when layered together. You can alternate their use by applying them on different evenings.

## Research on glycolic acid and retinal

- [Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30548170/) Glycolic acid · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
- [The efficacy of glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene vs adapalene monotherapy in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a double-blinded within-person comparative study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30858720/) Glycolic acid · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

## Other combinations

- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and benzoyl peroxide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-benzoyl-peroxide)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinol)
- Depends on the strength: [Glycolic acid and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-niacinamide)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-sodium-lactate)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and tromethamine](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-tromethamine)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Keep them apart: [Bio-placenta peptides and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/bio-placenta-peptides-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-collagen-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-copper-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Hexapeptide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/hexapeptide-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Depends on the strength: [Niacinamide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/niacinamide-and-retinal)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and betaine](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-betaine)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and glycerin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-glycerin)
- Depends on the strength: [Glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-hyaluronic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and bio-placenta peptides](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-bio-placenta-peptides)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and carnosine](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-carnosine)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-collagen-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-copper-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and hexapeptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-hexapeptide)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Adapalene and glycolic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/adapalene-and-glycolic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and granactive retinoid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-granactive-retinoid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and pro-retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-pro-retinol)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and retinoid blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinoid-blend)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and tretinoin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-tretinoin)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinal and mandelic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/retinal-and-mandelic-acid)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and gluconolactone](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-gluconolactone)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and lactobionic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-lactobionic-acid)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and cholesterol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-cholesterol)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and lauric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-lauric-acid)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and linoleic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-linoleic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-tri-ceramide-complex)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and arginine](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-arginine)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and GABA](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-gaba)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and silk amino acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-silk-amino-acids)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and taurine](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-taurine)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and theanine](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-theanine)
- Keep them apart: [Salicylic acid and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/salicylic-acid-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinal)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and ferulic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-ferulic-acid)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and vitamin E](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-vitamin-e)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and azelaic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-azelaic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and salicylic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-salicylic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-retinal)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and allantoin](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-allantoin)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and bisabolol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-bisabolol)
- Work well together: [Glycolic acid and panthenol](https://lovi.care/skincare/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-panthenol)

## 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/glycolic-acid-and-retinal (this page)
- United Kingdom: https://lovi.care/skincare/uk/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Ireland: https://lovi.care/skincare/ie/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Germany: https://lovi.care/skincare/de/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- France: https://lovi.care/skincare/fr/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Italy: https://lovi.care/skincare/it/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Netherlands: https://lovi.care/skincare/nl/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Spain: https://lovi.care/skincare/es/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Canada: https://lovi.care/skincare/ca/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Australia: https://lovi.care/skincare/au/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Singapore: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- Saudi Arabia: https://lovi.care/skincare/sa/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal
- United Arab Emirates: https://lovi.care/skincare/ae/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinal