Preparing Your Skin for Retinol
Retinol penetrates the skin better and is more effective when applied after gently cleansing the skin with a mild face wash and toning it but before any moisturizer, since it acts as a treatment.
While you must wash your face before application, make sure the skin is dry first. “On damp skin, the retinol will get absorbed more deeply and in turn cause irritation. This is also why you should apply your eye cream before retinol as the area is very delicate and can get irritated if retinol gets too close.
The ideal way to do this is to trade up by using a higher percentage of the same type of retinoid. If you started with 0.3% retinol try 0.5% instead. If you're using retinaldehyde, try increasing from 0.05% to 0.1%. If you're using Granactive Retinoid (hydroxypinacolone retinoate) try increasing from 2% to 5%.
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.
1️⃣ month 1: use retinol every third night of the week. 2️⃣ month 2: use retinol every other night of the week. 3️⃣ month 3: use retinol every night.
Is 1% Retinol Too Much for Beginners? If you're a new retinol user, starting at 1% retinol may cause your skin to become irritated and sensitive. For new vitamin A users, we always recommend that you start on the lowest strength (0.01%) and gradually work your way up from there.
“Because retinol can make your skin photo-sensitive, use retinol at night only, starting out low and slow. We recommend starting with two nights per week and over the course of a month or two slowly build that up as tolerated.
Hyaluronic acid and other moisturizers – hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and other moisturizing and skin hydrating ingredients pair well with retinol and help to minimize adverse effects like skin drying.
“While you don't need to wait till your 50s to use retinol, it helps to allow the frequency to be gradually increased so that your skin can adapt—typically starting with a few times a week and progressing to nightly use.
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.
In short, the retinol sandwiching technique is as follows:
Apply a layer of moisturiser to damp skin. Allow this to dry completely. Apply your retinol. After giving retinol time to absorb, finish your skincare routine with a second layer of moisturiser.
Retinoids are inactivated by UV light, so must be applied at night. Additionally, retinoids can be inactivated by other topical skin care ingredients, most commonly salicylic acid. Avoid using products which contain salicylic acid in your night-time skin care routine.
Retinol and vitamin C
The combination can help even out the texture and tone of your skin. Both products can cause skin irritation, so you'll want to add one at a time over a couple of weeks. It's best to use a product with vitamin C in the morning and keep the retinol for nighttime.
You can further boost the efficacy of both retinol and tretinoin by exfoliating for better penetration. Treatments featuring the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), glycolic acid, can be great for unblocking the skin's surface by removing dead cells.
Since retinol is such a powerful ingredient, it's important to be cautious about what you are pairing this with in your daily routine. To be specific, you cannot mix retinol with AHAs (Glycolic Acid Toner, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid Treatment, BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum, PHA Toner.
In general, the maximum percentage you can get of an over-the-counter retinal (the fastest-acting retinoid) is . 1%, with very few exceptions that claim to offer . 2% retinol, like Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20 (which used to be available for purchase at dermatologists' offices but can now be purchased over the counter).
The answer is yes. The combination of these two ingredients can help you treat multiple skin concerns and give you a more youthful, radiant complexion. However, it's important to use these ingredients in moderation and in the correct order to avoid any adverse effects.
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.
The best way to increase retinoid strength. The ideal way to increase retinoid concentration in your skincare routine is to shift to a product with a higher percentage of the same type of retinoid.
Paula's Choice Skincare's CLINICAL 1% Retinol Treatment contains a high-strength level of potent controlled-release retinol that goes to work immediately to visibly refine pore size and diminish the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin tone.
"The Resurfacing Retinol Serum contains 32 ingredients. This CeraVe serum retinol percentage is 0.3% encapsulated retinol..."