Retinol is just one ingredient that can help clear and plump your skin. It can take several weeks before you'll start to see results from retinol, and your skin may look worse before it gets better, so try not to get discouraged. Start slowly and increase your use of retinol gradually.
Most commonly, retinol can sometimes make your skin look worse before it gets better. This phenomenon is known as “skin purging.” Bialas explained that skin purging occurs because retinols increase the speed of skin cell turnover, so any oil and debris trapped in your pores is brought to the surface.
The retinol uglies can last anywhere from 4–8 weeks. The exact length of a retinoid purge depends very much on your skin type and sensitivity. The amount and strength of your retinoid product can also play a part. Some people experience a purge flare-up for only a few days, and others don't get it at all.
Rest assured that retinol purging won't last forever. You may expect your skin to feel more supple after a week or two, but the effectiveness and strength of a retinoid plays a huge role in this, too. The potency of the product you used will ultimately dictate how long side effects may last.
You will be able to tell that Retinol is working if you start to see improvements in the texture and general appearance of your skin. Some people might be able to spot changes in their skin quite quickly, while others will have to be more patient.
For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches. Getting these symptoms can be demotivating, especially if you're already feeling unconfident about your skin.
We recommend following the 1-2-3 rule: apply retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times for three weeks, then move towards every second night if there are no side effects happening. If you do experience flaking, redness or sensitivity, simply move back to a lower frequency for a week.
In other words, when you use certain products, your skin is likely to look worse before it looks better. A purge can look like blackheads and whiteheads, and it's likely to appear in the places where you normally break out.
It can take several weeks before you'll start to see results from retinol, and your skin may look worse before it gets better, so try not to get discouraged. Start slowly and increase your use of retinol gradually.
For some people, stopping retinol abruptly may not lead to serious changes, but it's always best to consult a dermatology provider to determine the most suitable approach based on your specific circumstances. However, there is a chance your more obvious signs of aging may return after discontinuing retinol.
However, when used with retinol, the effect can be too harsh on the skin, and can cause burns or scarring. If you've gone overboard, applying a hydrocortisone cream over the area can help.
It's essential to make sure to wait until your skin is dehydrated before moving on to applying your retinol. If you use it on wet or even damp skin, there is a greater likelihood that you'll experience irritation. That is because cleansing the skin opens up the pores.
Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side ...
If you want to target wrinkles, uneven texture, or acne, retinol is your best bet. If you're looking for brighter skin and protection from environmental damage, vitamin C is the way to go.
Skin purging is a supercharged cleanse for your complexion. It is usually caused by an active ingredient in a skincare product or a process that speeds up the skin's cell shedding and renewal phase. These ingredients stimulate cell renewal turnover rate leaving behind clearer, smoother skin.
✔️Apply petroleum jelly on corners if eyes, nose and mouth before using skin care actives. ✔️always start with a lower concentration of actives. ✔️if you are using a product for the first time , use it on the morning and check if you can tolerate. ✔️do not use actives if skin is dry, red, itchy or irritated.
If the skin purging stage is really troublesome, it can be helpful to decrease the frequency of your actives by alternating days of use. Stick with it - in time, things will likely improve. When the frequency of new spots starts to reduce, increase the frequency of your actives again.
When can you expect to see changes in your skin? It takes at minimum around four weeks, and at maximum up to three months to start reaping benefits from retinol, as dermatologists say skin turnover benefits closely align with the timeline of collagen production.
It can take time for your skin to get used to a retinoid. Start by applying it once or twice a week, and always at night. As your skin adjusts, you can work your way up to using it nightly. If your skin gets red, dry, or flaky, you may be moving too fast.
How long does it last? The duration of a retinoid purge generally depends on your skin type, but it typically lasts about four weeks. In some cases, flare-ups can extend up to eight weeks, or approximately two cell cycles. If the purging persists beyond three months, it's likely not just a typical purge.
Retinol can cause a side effect called a retinol burn. Retinol burns can cause skin redness, irritation, and flaking. But it's not an allergy. You should stop using retinol if you develop a retinol burn.
Retinol accelerates the skin's cell turnover, and it can bring underlying acne to the surface more rapidly than it would naturally. You may notice an initial increase in acne, inflammation or dryness a.k.a. purging when you start using Retinol due to this reason.