Squalane and Retinol Together: Layer Them Right for Softer Nights
A two-step evening routine that uses a squalane-rich serum to buffer a retinol gua sha cream, for firmer-looking skin with less dryness.
Applying a squalane-rich serum before a retinol cream is a practical way to use squalane and retinol together with less of the tightness or flaking that retinol can cause on its own. The serum goes on first, absorbs fast, and creates a lightly conditioned surface that can make the retinol step feel more comfortable.
Who This Routine Is For
If you are working on dark spots during the day and want to add an anti-aging step at night without irritating your skin, this two-product evening pairing is worth trying. It suits anyone who has found retinol drying in the past — the kind of dryness that shows up as tightness by morning or fine flaking around the nose and chin by day two.
It also makes sense if you are paying attention to the neck and jawline specifically. The second product in this routine is designed for exactly that area, and the serum step primes skin across your whole face before you move down to the jaw and neck with the cream.
The Logic Behind the Order
Texture and timing drive the sequence here. The AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum is a fast-absorbing liquid serum, so it goes on first, right after your toner. It sinks in quickly and does not leave a slick layer that would prevent the cream from making contact with skin.
The Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream goes on second. It is a richer, medium-absorption cream, and it contains encapsulated retinol — a form of retinol that releases gradually rather than all at once. By the time the cream is applied, the squalane from the serum step is already in the skin, not sitting on top of it, so it acts as a conditioning layer rather than a barrier. The result is that the retinol can still do its job while the skin is already in a more comfortable, less reactive state.
Wait about 60 seconds after the serum before you apply the cream. The serum absorbs fast, so this is rarely more than a minute. You do not need to wait until your skin feels completely dry — just not wet.
Step One: The Serum
Apply the AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum after cleansing and toning. A small amount covers the whole face; pat it in gently rather than rubbing. According to the brand, the formula contains 5% niacinamide, squalane, and sodium hyaluronate alongside antioxidant botanicals including sea buckthorn and calendula. It is formulated to address the appearance of dark spots while supporting hydration and barrier health.
Niacinamide at this concentration is well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin, and the fragrance-free formula means there is no added risk from synthetic fragrance. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, recovering from a procedure or managing multiple allergies, check the brand's current guidance and ask your doctor. If you have a known rosemary sensitivity, note that a trace amount of rosemary leaf oil is present; patch testing is the sensible first step.
Because this serum is designed for both AM and PM use, you can also run it in the morning under sunscreen for continued dark spot work while this retinol-focused routine runs at night.
Step Two: The Gua Sha Cream
Turn the metal applicator head to the ON position and apply the Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream to the jaw, neck, and décolleté. The built-in W-shaped metal roller is meant to be used with upward strokes for about five minutes. This is not just a delivery mechanism — the massage action itself is part of how the product is designed to work, supporting circulation and encouraging the skin to feel firmer over time.
