Should I stop using retinol in winter?

Author: Jayme Thompson  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 7, 2023

ICE. After instituting these practices into your regular retinol routine, you should be all set to continue using retinol — or institute it into your routine — this winter with less dryness, side effects, and only a brighter glow and healthier skin.

Is it better to use retinol in summer or winter?

Dr. Ukeleghe goes even further, suggesting that summer is the best season for retinol use, especially if you experience winter skin issues. "Your skin tends to be less dry, and therefore less prone to sensitivity, than in the winter.

When should you stop using retinol?

Discontinue use if you have negative side effects after a few weeks of use and contact your physician to help reassess your skin type and find a solution that will protect your skin barrier . Consider using moisturizing and soothing topical skin care products with retinol to counteract its negative side effects.

How do you use retinol in the winter?

Start by using retinol products only twice a week. Use a pea-sized amount for each application. Apply retinol products the day before exfoliating – never the day after. Only use retinol at night.

Should you use retinol all year?

Answer: Absolutely! You should use retinoids (e.g., retinoic acid or tretinoin) all year long, including the summer season. Retinoids can temporarily make your skin more sensitive to the sun due to the fact that tretinoin pulls oil and dry skin cells away from the skin.

My Guide To Using Retinoids In Winter

Can I suddenly stop using retinol?

You see, retinol impacts your skin's normal function, and when you stop it your skin has to re-learn how to regulate itself properly again. So typically when people stop using it they experience either bad acne or bad dryness for a few weeks afterwards.

Should you take a break from using retinol?

It's best to start with a retinyl palmitate or retinol, and to try it for three months and then have a three month break. This is due to research that suggests cell turnover is no longer increased after three months of usage.

How often should you use retinol in the winter?

“I recommend using retinol every two days or even just once per week to start to avoid irritation, redness, and skin purging, then gradually increasing frequency if no issues arise,” suggest Dr. Engelman.

What time of year is best to use retinol?

But autumn and winter is also the best time to start using one unlikely skincare ingredient. Whether you're a skincare obsessive or simply a cleanse-and-moisturise type of person, you've probably heard dermatologists extolling the virtues of vitamin A (aka retinol).

What should I put on my skincare routine in the winter?

Follow these steps for perfectly hydrated and nourished skin.
  1. Double cleansing. The first step of the winter skincare routine is double cleansing. ...
  2. Exfoliate. ...
  3. A hydrating serum. ...
  4. Daily moisturizer. ...
  5. Use a Humidifier to Keep Skin Moisturized. ...
  6. Have plenty of water. ...
  7. Eat Some Dark Chocolate. ...
  8. Drink Tea.

Can I skip retinol for a week?

Missing a dose of topical retinol should not impact the long-term results of your treatment.

Why should you not use retinol everyday?

So if you start using retinol every day out of the gate, you can end up with some painful inflammation and a damaged skin barrier, negating any potential positives. One way to avoid that irritation is to start slow, explains Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston.

Why can't you use retinol every night?

You'll likely want to use retinol once or twice per week initially and work up to using it more than that. The reason: Retinol can initially be drying, especially if you have sensitive skin, so it's a good idea to give your skin some time to adjust to the change in your routine.

Should I skip retinol in summer?

The good news: Retinoids can absolutely be used daily during the summertime. "The frequency of applying retinol or retinoid in the summer does not necessarily need to be altered unless there is a significant sensitivity to retinoids used," says Dr.

What happens when you stop retinol?

If you stop retinol and do not begin a prescription retinoid, the benefit of preventing acne will go away. The skin cycle of cells being “born” at the base of the skin and moving to the top, dying and desquamating into the surrounding environment takes about 4-6 weeks.

Does retinol make you look older at first?

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.

Should I use retinol at 40?

A non-irritating retinoid

In the evening, beginners in their 40s should incorporate a retinol into their regimen to enhance cellular turnover (which slows as we age) and to help increase collagen and elasticity in the skin, which also more rapidly declines in this decade. Board certified dermatologist, Dr.

Should I stop tretinoin in winter?

While retinoids and dryness go hand in hand, it's usually possible to continue using tretinoin in winter without experiencing any unwanted or out of the ordinary dryness, peeling or irritation. The solution is a mix of good habits for protecting your skin, as well as a variety of skin-protecting products.

Should I change my skin care routine in the winter?

Do you really need to change your skincare routine during the winter season? Yes, you do! Here's the best advice from a dermatologist. The winter season is the worst time for our skin, especially if you suffer from dryness.

How can I improve my skin in winter?

Winter skin care: Keep your skin in top shape through the cold,...
  1. Keep the moisture you have. ...
  2. Add moisture to your home. ...
  3. Add moisture from the inside out. ...
  4. Don't forget sunscreen. ...
  5. Moisturize your skin thoroughly. ...
  6. Switch your cleanser. ...
  7. Take extra care.

Is retinol ruining my skin?

While retinol is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this doesn't mean it's free from side effects. People who use retinols commonly experience dry and irritated skin, especially after using a new product. Other side effects may include: redness.

Is retinol once a week enough?

Answer: Yes, once a week is still going to be beneficial to the skin. Any effort you put towards the skin is going to beneficial. You may also want to consider a non-prescription retinol such as Avene Retrinal Cream 0.05.

How long do the retinol uglies last?

However, Green notes that the side effect should clear up within two weeks, saying, "These symptoms typically last five to ten days, depending on your skin type and the concentration of the retinol. Once your skin is done purging, your skin should be smoother, clearer, and brighter than it previously was."

Is retinol damage reversible?

In many cases, damage that has already occurred can't be reversed, making early detection important. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment. Treatment of retinal disease may be complex and sometimes urgent.

Can retinol damage permanent?

Can Retinol Damage the Skin? You may have heard that extended retinol use can cause the skin to thin and the skin barrier to degrade as a result of increased cell turnover, but Shah says that's a myth. You don't need to worry about retinol causing permanent damage, Schlessinger says.

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