At night we might be using night creams that contain actives such as retinol which are not recommended to be used in the morning so it is essential to wash your face in the morning to remove those residual creams/serum.
If you used products with potent actives such as retinols or strong acids on your skin overnight, we recommend that you cleanse your face in the morning as a precaution.
Answer: Face Wash with Retin A
Retin A can definitely make your skin more dry and sensitive, so I would make sure that you are using a mild, gentle cleanser that does not further irritate your skin. Sunscreen is absolutely essential when using Retin A, as Retin A will make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)
Retinols are powerful antioxidants and it is important to allow it to fully absorb if you want to avoid your skin becoming sensitive,” says Dr Liakas.
But one such 'rule' we weren't aware of until now, is that retinol needs a decent amount of time to absorb. According to skincare guru and best-selling author, Caroline Hirons, you should allow 20 plus minutes before moving on to the next step of your routine.
“If you're overusing your retinol, or if you're using a retinol that's too strong for you, it can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness, which may have led to retinol's association with skin thinning,” she says.
After applying retinol to your skin (while it's dry) allow it to sit for 10-20 minutes.
“Retinol can be slightly inactivated by sunlight, making nighttime application ideal,” says Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Plus, because you aren't sweating or rubbing your skin as you sleep, overnight retinol can work its magic uninterrupted.
Importantly, retinol makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight so be sure to use sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as you can while you use retinol products.
Retinol and vitamin C products
Make sure to leave some space in your fridge for your retinol and vitamin C skincare, as these antioxidants can degrade much quicker and become unstable when exposed to heat and sunlight. Storing these products in the fridge keeps the formulas stable and helps with preservation.
Always use sunscreen the morning after you apply retinol. Your skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight, so it's important to protect it.
Believe it or not, your skin can accumulate environmental debris in your sleep, so it's necessary to wash them off in the morning. “Dead skin cells and allergens may collect on your pillowcase and be transferred to the facial skin throughout the night,” Palm says.
You should avoid washing the skin treated with tretinoin for at least 1 hour after applying it. Avoid using any topical medicine on the same area within 1 hour before or after using tretinoin.
If you only clean your face with water in the morning, you will improve the condition of your skin and prevent problems such as premature skin aging or irritation. Plus, your money is better invested in a quality, natural moisturizer than in a variety of products designed to rebalance your skin after cleansing.
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
Before continuing with the next step of your routine, you should allow 20 minutes or more. It is okay to use other products afterwards, but allow enough time for the vitamin A to be absorbed. Hence, for your question, how long after retinol to apply moisturizer, the answer is 20 minutes.
Dry your face. Apply retinol. Wait a few minutes, then apply moisturizer.
It's typically recommended to use retinol at nighttime as it's photosensitive, she adds. Check out the best retinol products for every skin type here.
Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
Is it safe to use retinol every day? For most people, yes — once your skin is used to it, that is. That said, there are some people who may not want to use it frequently or at all.
Retinol: 0 seconds
When using high-quality products, such as retinol, the wait time is even less — possibly nonexistent — because they "are of a different chemistry and will mix and absorb more rapidly" into the skin, says Harold Lancer, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills.
If your skin is peeling or getting flaky when using retinol, the best advice is to be patient and wait it out. We say this with all the love, but sometimes things get worse before they get better. The peeling will eventually go away over time when your skin gets used to retinol.