How can I make retinol work better?

Author: Kacey Mitchell MD  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 3, 2022

10 Ways to Make Your Retinol Work Better
  1. 1 / 10. Put it on when your skin is dry. ...
  2. 2 / 10. Buy quality products. ...
  3. 3 / 10. Start slow. ...
  4. 4 / 10. Use sunscreen with it. ...
  5. 5 / 10. Put it on first. ...
  6. 6 / 10. Pair it with the proper follow-up products. ...
  7. 7 / 10. Find the right product for you. ...
  8. 8 / 10. Use it at night.

What else should I use with retinol?

She also says to stick with gentle cleansers (she likes CeraVe), and to always follow your retinol with a moisturizer, especially those with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. If your skin is really irritated, you can try buffering, where you apply moisturizer before retinol to reduce side effects.

What ingredient works best with retinol?

A combination of retinoids and humectants such as niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid can help slow down TEWLs during application of retinoid. Hyaluronic Acid is an excellent ingredient to alleviate some of these concerns.

Why does retinol not work for me?

Why it might not be working: The truth is, retinol can be too active for some people. “It's too strong [for some people],” says Jaliman. You could also be using too high of a percentage. What to try instead: If retinol is too intense for your skin, try bakuchiol, a natural alternative.

Can you mix retinol and vitamin C?

The truth: You can use vitamin C with retinol and retinoids. Get them as separate products so you can tailor the concentration of each and use them at the right time of day. Although vitamin C can be used day or night, it is ideal for daytime use, while retinol and retinoids should be applied at night.

5 WAYS to Make ANY Retinol Work Better! | Chris Gibson

Is it OK to use retinol every night?

Retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, they should be used at night because some types are deactivated by light and air. It's important to start slowly and allow your skin time to adjust. Using too much too quickly can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.

Can you mix niacinamide and retinol?

Pairing the two ingredients is safe and can make retinol easier to use. Niacinamide helps hydrate the skin, which reduces the risk of irritation caused by retinol. Niacinamide and retinol can be combined in one product or used as separate products.

Is vitamin C better than retinol for skin?

So, should I use vitamin C or retinol for wrinkles? Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.

Can I use retinol and hyaluronic acid together?

What Are the Benefits of Combining the Two? Good news: Retinol and hyaluronic acid actually have a synergistic effect. “They can be combined so that the benefits of retinol can be achieved more easily with concomitant use of hyaluronic acid, which helps to prevent retinol irritation,” says Hartman.

Can you put retinol under eyes?

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.

Which is better retinol or vitamin C serum?

While Vitamin C serum predominantly protects your skin from damage, retinol serum actively heals the damage on your skin. Vitamin C serum protects the collagens while the Retinol serum helps in cell turn over thereby creating new collagens.

Do you need to wash retinol off in the morning?

Rouleau says the best time to use a scrub is in the morning. Overnight you've loosened up dead skin cells with your glycolic acid or retinol products, making the morning a perfect time to brush them off.

What should you not mix with retinol?

Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol. As for benzoyl peroxide and retinol, they cancel each other out.

What goes first retinol or hyaluronic acid?

When using hyaluronic acid and retinol, apply retinol first, then hyaluronic acid.

Which comes first niacinamide or retinol?

Using niacinamide before retinol works well. So does combining them into one product. A 2016 study found that a product containing retinol, niacinamide, hexylresorcinol, and resveratrol improved fine lines, sallowness, wrinkling, hyperpigmentation, and skin tone.

Is hyaluronic acid or retinol better?

Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.

What vitamin is best for face?

Vitamin D is one of the best vitamins for your skin, along with vitamins C, E, and K. Making sure you get enough vitamins can keep your skin looking healthy and youthful. This could translate to a reduction in: dark spots.

Can I exfoliate while using retinol?

Use Exfoliants Sparingly After the Adjustment Period

After two to six weeks of using tretinoin, it's usually okay to start using an exfoliant. However, it's best to use exfoliating products as sparingly as possible while using tretinoin to avoid potentially irritating your skin.

Which is better retinol or niacinamide?

Niacinamide and retinol are popular skin care ingredients that can treat acne, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging. While they have similar effects, retinol is more potent. However, it may also cause more significant side effects.

Can I use retinol with niacinamide and zinc?

Niacinamide is one of those skincare ingredients that just seems to do everything! It's anti-aging, reduces pigmentation, fights acne, reduces facial redness, and hydrates skin. The latter of which particularly makes it an ideal companion to retinol.

Can I use niacinamide everyday?

It's an ingredient found in a number of moisturizing skin-care products, as well as certain foods and supplements like multivitamins. Can you use niacinamide every day? Yes. In fact, you can use niacinamide-containing topical products in the morning and night because it's generally a gentle ingredient.

How long should you let retinol soak in?

Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)

“It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product. 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.

Does retinol resurface skin?

How Do Retinoids Work. New skin cells form deep within the skin layer and with time they finally come to the surface. This process usually takes about one month. Retinoids work by increasing the rate of skin cell turnover.

Can I use retinol on my neck?

Apply topical retinoids

Retinoids, which are topical vitamin A-based derivatives, may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production. If you use retinoids on your face, extend the treatment area to your neck and chest at night. Retinoid products are available by prescription or over the counter.

Can you mix retinol and salicylic acid?

Retinoid or Retinol and Salicylic Acid

But on its own, each can dry out the skin, so together they should be combined with caution. The risk is overdrying, which can lead to irritation and make the situation worse.

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