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.
Yes. There is a misconception that creams can't be used on the eyelids. The reason for concern is that you don't want to get irritants inside the eyes. But the skin around the eyes is the earliest on the face to show wrinkles and it's a great place to use retinol (or tretinoin).
Retinol, salicylic acid, glycolic acid—all effective ingredients that can improve the look and feel of your complexion. But they can lead to irritation, and when used too close to your delicate eye area, that irritation can lead to bags.
"Don't use your face retinol on your eye because it's way, way too aggressive, and it'll get dry, flaky, and red." In other words, do not try to multitask your retinol-infused facial cream or facial serum.
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.
Retinol, a popular derivative of vitamin A, is loved by many for its exceptional anti-aging properties that eliminate fine lines and wrinkles and renew the skin to make it plump and younger-looking. It also boosts collagen production, which will work wonders for thickening up your undereye skin.
Is retinol good for undereye circles? Yes, and there's research to prove it! Retinol creams can help get rid of dark circles, crow's feet wrinkles and undereye bags.
King. If you have sensitive skin, start with once a week. If you're not experiencing any irritation, you can work your way up to using retinol eye cream nightly. And remember, retinoids can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so any product that contains retinol should be part of your nighttime skincare routine only.
If you use too high a strength or apply retinol more frequently than you should, you may experience further irritation, like itchiness and scaly patches. Some people have noticed acne breakouts after using retinol, though this is a rare side effect.
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.
“If the dark circles are due to pigmentation, then you want to look for ingredients with brightening effects. Products containing vitamin C, hydroquinone, and kojic acid work best. Also, look for products with retinol in them because retinol can help a person even out pigmentation over time.
Using retinol will give you better results than using just collagen products alone. Because retinol is the product that brings collagen back to life using retinol is always going to be more powerful and more beneficial to your skin.
Peeling, redness, and irritation are common onset reactions for some people when they first start to use retinol. Some reactions get so bad that the common term used to describe the list of effects has been dubbed the “retinol uglies”. Note from a skincare expert: Many things in life get worse before they get better.
Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
1) Use Retinol Serums
Also called Vitamin A1, retinol is a potent molecule that boosts collagen production and repairs damaged skin cells. Look for a serum with retinol to treat the thin skin under your eyes.
“Vitamin C is a tough ingredient to formulate with because it's most effective in an acidic pH environment. Retinol works in a higher (more alkaline) pH. If using them together, they won't work optimally,” says Sikora.
Begin in Your Mid 20s or Early 30s
"Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol," says Ellen Marmur, M.D. "Many patients who have used it for years swear by it."
Topical retinol is generally safe for long-term use without any detrimental health risks.
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.
If you're wondering if you're clear to use your retinol as a long-term anti-aging strategy without negative side effects (like compromising the strength of your skin), both derms agree the answer is yes — in fact, you'll need to use it continuously if you want to keep benefiting from the effects, says Dr. Colbert.
Side effects of using retinol may include:
Itching. Dry skin. Flaking and peeling of the skin. Increased sensitivity to the sun.
Signs to Look For
“Signs of overuse of retinol, or using a retinol that's too strong, include skin ruddiness, flaking, irritation and thinning,” Joy explains.
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.