# Retinol and aha blend glycolic and citric acids

Page: https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids

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

Keep them apart

Use them on alternate nights because combining them can cause severe skin irritation and redness. Both ingredients work hard to speed up cell renewal, so using them together can overwhelm your skin and damage its protective barrier. You can switch to using them on separate nights or choose lower, gentler strengths.

[Photocarcinogenesis study of glycolic acid and salicylic acid (CAS Nos. 79-14-1 and 69-72-7) in SKH-1 mice (simulated solar light and topical application study)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21921960/) [Novel retinoid ester in combination with salicylic acid for the treatment of acne](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26516077/)

- [All about retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol)
- [All about aha blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids)

### [Retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol) products

- [CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/cerave/resurfacing-retinol-serum/for/dark-spots) — High fit — [S$28.62 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B07XJ7XWLW?tag=lovi-care-web-product0e-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/roc/retinol-correxion-deep-wrinkle-night-cream/for/dark-spots) — High fit — [S$35.46 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B00027DMI8?tag=lovi-care-web-product0e-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Treatment](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/paula-s-choice/1-retinol-treatment/for/dark-spots) — Superior fit
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/roc/retinol-correxion-line-smoothing-eye-cream/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [S$29.14 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B0009RFB76?tag=lovi-care-web-product0e-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/good-molecules/gentle-retinol-cream/for/mature-skin) — High fit
- [La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/la-roche-posay/retinol-b3-serum/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [S$81.74 at YesStyle](https://www.yesstyle.com/en/la-roche-posay-retinol-b3-serum-30ml/info.html/pid.1133246365?curr=SGD&rco=SG)
- [DRMTLGY Retinol Body Lotion](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/drmtlgy/retinol-body-lotion/for/mature-skin) — Average fit
- [RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/roc/retinol-correxion-deep-wrinkle-serum/for/oily-skin) — Average fit — [S$37.51 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B00387F42G?tag=lovi-care-web-product0e-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/cerave/skin-renewing-retinol-serum/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [S$28.62 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B07XJ7XWLW?tag=lovi-care-web-product0e-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/olay/regenerist-retinol-24-night-moisturizer/for/mature-skin) — Superior fit — [S$44.05 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B07XQBY5QQ?tag=lovi-care-web-product0e-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
- [cocokind Retinol Body Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/cocokind/retinol-body-cream/for/mature-skin) — Average fit
- [Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/neutrogena/rapid-wrinkle-repair-regenerating-cream/for/mature-skin) — High fit — [S$36.58 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B0725JP4TN?tag=lovi-care-web-product0e-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

### [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids) products

- [Dior DreamSkin 1-Minute Mask](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/p/dior/dreamskin-1-minute-mask/for/dark-spots) — Average fit — [S$193.72 at Amazon](https://www.amazon.sg/dp/B0BH8CM921?tag=lovi-care-web-product0e-22&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

## Questions and answers

### Can you use retinol and aha blend glycolic and citric acids together?

Keep [retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol) and an AHA blend of glycolic and [citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/citric-acid) apart to avoid over-exfoliation and irritation. Alternate your use by applying them on different evenings or buffer with a moisturizer.

### Which goes first, retinol or aha blend glycolic and citric acids?

Keep retinol and an [aha blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids) apart by alternating evenings or using them at different times to help avoid over-exfoliation and irritation.

### Are retinol and aha blend glycolic and citric acids good for sensitive skin?

Keep retinol and an AHA blend of glycolic and citric acids apart to avoid over-exfoliation and irritation on sensitive skin. Instead, alternate their use on different evenings or buffer them with a moisturizer.

## Research on retinol and aha blend glycolic and citric acids

- [Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27261203/) Retinol · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017
- [Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29947134/) Retinol · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019
- [Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29604311/) Retinol · Journal of Controlled Release, 2018
- [A randomized, controlled comparative study of the wrinkle reduction benefits of a cosmetic niacinamide/peptide/retinyl propionate product regimen vs. a prescription 0.02% tretinoin product regimen](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20374604/) Retinol · The British Journal of Dermatology, 2010
- [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/) AHA blend glycolic and citric acids · Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
- [Topical application of retinyl propionate, 4 hexyl resorcinol, and niacinamide reverses molecular and clinical features of ageing](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38685700/) Retinol · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

## Other combinations

- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-niacinamide)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and aha blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and isopropyl alcohol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-isopropyl-alcohol)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and sodium lauryl sulfate](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-sodium-lauryl-sulfate)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and citric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-citric-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Glycolic acid and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/glycolic-acid-and-retinol)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and lactic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-lactic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and mandelic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-mandelic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Retinol and salicylic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-salicylic-acid)
- Depends on the strength: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and niacinamide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-niacinamide)
- Keep them apart: [Vitamin C and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/vitamin-c-and-retinol)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and sodium lactate](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-sodium-lactate)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and tromethamine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-tromethamine)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and bio-placenta peptides](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-bio-placenta-peptides)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-collagen-peptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-copper-peptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and hexapeptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-hexapeptide)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Depends on the strength: [Retinol and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and betaine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-betaine)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and glycerin](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-glycerin)
- Depends on the strength: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and hyaluronic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-hyaluronic-acid)
- Work well together: [Retinol and bakuchiol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-bakuchiol)
- Work well together: [Retinol and coenzyme q10](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-coenzyme-q10)
- Work well together: [Retinol and green tea](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-green-tea)
- Work well together: [Retinol and vitamin E](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-vitamin-e)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and acetyl hexapeptide-3](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-acetyl-hexapeptide-3)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and bio-placenta peptides](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-bio-placenta-peptides)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and carnosine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-carnosine)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and collagen peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-collagen-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and copper peptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-copper-peptide)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and hexapeptide](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-hexapeptide)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and hexapeptide-9](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-hexapeptide-9)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-palmitoyl-pentapeptide-4)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and palmitoyl tripeptide-1](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-palmitoyl-tripeptide-1)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and peptide-rich plasma](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-peptide-rich-plasma)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and triple peptide blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-triple-peptide-blend)
- Keep them apart: [Adapalene and aha blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/adapalene-and-aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and granactive retinoid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-granactive-retinoid)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and hydroxypinacolone retinoate](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-hydroxypinacolone-retinoate)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and pro-retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-pro-retinol)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and retinal](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-retinal)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and retinoid blend](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-retinoid-blend)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and tretinoin](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-tretinoin)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and gluconolactone](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-gluconolactone)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and lactobionic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-lactobionic-acid)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and cholesterol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-cholesterol)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and lauric acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-lauric-acid)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and linoleic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-linoleic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-tri-ceramide-complex)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and arginine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-arginine)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and GABA](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-gaba)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and silk amino acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-silk-amino-acids)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and taurine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-taurine)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and theanine](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-theanine)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and ferulic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-ferulic-acid)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and vitamin E](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-vitamin-e)
- Keep them apart: [Azelaic acid and aha blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/azelaic-acid-and-aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids)
- Keep them apart: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and salicylic acid](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-salicylic-acid)
- Keep them apart: [Benzoyl peroxide and retinol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/benzoyl-peroxide-and-retinol)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and allantoin](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-allantoin)
- Work well together: [AHA blend glycolic and citric acids and bisabolol](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids-and-bisabolol)
- Work well together: [Panthenol and aha blend glycolic and citric acids](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/panthenol-and-aha-blend-glycolic-and-citric-acids)
- Work well together: [Retinol and ceramide-building complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-ceramide-building-complex)
- Work well together: [Retinol and tri-ceramide complex](https://lovi.care/skincare/sg/ingredients/retinol-and-tri-ceramide-complex)

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