Retinol and hyaluronic acid work to counteract aging in very different ways, and both hyaluronic acid and retinol have benefits for anti-aging. Retinol and retinoids are powerful ingredients that increase cell turnover, which can reduce wrinkles and improve dull skin tone. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid is a substance that your body naturally produces to retain moisture. Over time, the amount of hyaluronic acid that you naturally produce decreases, so countering that loss with a hyaluronic acid cream can have a moisturizing, firming and brightening effect on your skin.
In fact, both retinoids and hyaluronic acid can be used to fight aging at the same time. A gentle, fragrance-free face wash, anti-aging cream with tretinoin and a face moisturizer with hyaluronic acid can be a simple, but effective, skin care routine.