Note: Once opened, this formula should be refrigerated and used within a three-month period. Caution: Retinoids can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation.
No, you should not use retinol that is past its expiration date. Not only will not work as well as it should but also there is no telling the repercussions expired products can have on your skin.
Anti-aging products with ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C can break down quickly and typically last nine months to one year, depending on how they're dispensed.
Retinol is a light-sensitive ingredient that can easily lose potency over time, often sooner than you expect. It all depends on the packaging, preservatives system, and how you store your product.
Incorrect retinol usage can cause drying, flaking, shedding, redness, and irritation of the skin as well as exacerbated acne. Retinol will also increase skin sensitivity to UV rays.
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
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.
Is it safe to use retinol every day? For most people, yes — once your skin is used to it, that is. That said, there are some people who may not want to use it frequently or at all.
Myth #3: Quality retinol is bright yellow retinol
But retinol breaks down in sunlight and on contact with air – turning it even more intensely yellow. So, if a retinol product is yellow, it could have lot of retinol, just not be stable, or contain added colorants / dyes.
Swallowing products that contain vitamin A, such as skin cream with retinol in it, can also cause vitamin A poisoning.
Retin A and Retinols expiration
When it comes to expiration dates, Retinol A and Retinols typically have an expiration date of two years after the manufacturing date.
Oil-based products, including facial oils and makeup, should never be refrigerated. The cold temperatures can cause these products to harden and make them unusable. Clay products, like clay masks, shouldn't be placed in the fridge.
Worst: Retinol in Squalane
Retinol is the most common vitamin A ingredient you'll find in cosmetic products, and it is really unstable. It needs the extra bells and whistles to make it from the manufacturer to your house, then once you open it and start using it, it'll need extra protection against degradation.
Retinol is very unstable. Every time it's exposed to light and air, it oxidises a little. That means it loses a bit of its effectiveness until it stops working completely. The more often you force it to come in contact with its enemies (i.e., every time you open that jar), the sooner retinol becomes useless.
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.
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.
Missing a dose of topical retinol should not impact the long-term results of your treatment. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as too much retinol can result in dry and flaky skin.
“This will make your skin look older and accentuate wrinkles” — which is probably not what you're going for when you start using the stuff. And there's no question that retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Importantly, retinol makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight so be sure to use sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as you can while you use retinol products.
At night we might be using night creams that contain actives such as retinol which are not recommended to be used in the morning so it is essential to wash your face in the morning to remove those residual creams/serum.
Use retinol once or twice a week at first to see how your skin reacts, and gradually work up to every other day or three times a week. Another key tip for using retinol is to incorporate it into your nighttime skincare routine only, as it makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
Mix your retinol with your moisturizer, or apply your moisturizer first and then your retinol. Always use sunscreen the morning after you apply retinol. Your skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight, so it's important to protect it.
Owing to its potency, retinol products can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Hence, always apply it at night. “In the morning, make sure you follow up your skincare routine with a face wash, vitamin C serum, under eye cream, moisturiser and then a sunscreen,” advises Dr.
Products containing retinol work by boosting your skin's renewal process, which helps to diminish signs of aging on your complexion. Retinol also stimulates collagen production, which is another way it diminishes dark spots.