Overuse and irritation While consistency is crucial, using too much retinol can cause irritation and discomfort. Excessive use can also cause peeling, redness, and dryness. So, if you are experiencing these symptoms, stop using it.
If you've been using a retinol serum for over 3 months and see absolutely no changes in your skin, the product you've selected is probably too weak for your skin. On the other hand, if your skin is still showing signs of irritation, the retinoid you selected might be too strong.
Redness and Irritation
However, ongoing redness and severe irritation may indicate an allergic reaction to the product. If redness persists long after you have stopped the use of retinol, contact your healthcare provider for further options on reducing redness.
If you have mild acne — like a few whiteheads, blackheads, or pimples — an OTC retinol may be a good option for you. For more severe acne, you may need a prescription-strength retinoid. Retinol is often used along with other acne medications, like a face wash that has benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Watch Out for Harsh Side Effects
Garshick says to expect some mild irritation, dryness, and sun sensitivity when you're first introducing the ingredient into your routine. But if you're experiencing any intense flaking, redness, or burning sensations, it's best to shy away from retinol altogether.
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.
Retinol burn is the common term for the irritation, redness, and flaking that can occur when you first start using retinol or up the strength or frequency of it. The exact symptoms can be different from person to person, but they often resemble the feel of a sunburn: skin that's red, burnt, raw, and highly sensitive.
You Shouldn't Use Retinol If You Have Sensitive Skin
If you still find that you're experiencing retinol side effects like excessive dryness or irritation, consult a dermatologist for advice on how to proceed with your routine. Kiehl's Tip: Retinol isn't the only subject of skincare myths.
Should you take a break from retinol? If you experience adverse effects like burning, redness, or peeling from retinol, consider taking a break, reducing the frequency of use, or switching to a less irritating retinoid.
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.
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.
If you're a new retinol user, we recommend beginning with Intelligent Retinol 3TR as it contains 0.3% retinol and you can work your way up the different strengths for progressive visible results. For those who prefer an all-in-one night cream, use Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream (0.2% retinol).
The bottom line
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.
You might notice the appearance of whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and hard bumps in clusters. These combined effects can make the skin look rough and uneven. The term “purging” reflects a process of purification or cleansing, which is exactly what your skin undergoes during the retinoid purging phase.
Most people who introduce retinol to their skin, experience severe breakouts, dryness, itchiness, and redness. The immediate side effects of retinol treatment can take the form of a surge in acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and rashes. This is termed retinol purging.
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 ...
In some cases, people may develop retinol burn, which refers to an irritant contact dermatitis that can result from using too much retinol, Dr. Garshick explains. "The skin may appear red, raw, or flaky," particularly in areas with thinner skin, such as around the mouth and eyes, she tells us.
This was driven by concerns over skin irritation and systemic absorption. These could pose health risks, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. The ban reflects a broader precautionary approach by the EU.