A holographic optical element and a method for producing the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes illuminating a first surface of a photopolymer resin layer, where the photopolymer resin layer comprises a photopolymer resin, illuminating a second surface of the photopolymer resin layer through a retardation layer disposed in the second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface, and recording an interference pattern in the photopolymer resin layer, wherein the interference pattern is created by interference between the first parallel laser beam and the second parallel laser beam. The holographic optical element is produced using a retardation layer to prevent an unwanted interference pattern from being formed in the process of recording an interference pattern in a photopolymer resin layer.