What to avoid when using retinol?

Author: Julie Runte DVM  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 26, 2023

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.

Do and don'ts with retinol?

Use Retinol Only at Night and Wear SPF Every Day

"Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product," explains Bowe, who instructs patients to only use retinoids at night and be diligent about applying a daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher during the day.

When should you not use retinol?

Board certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, MD, notes that “people with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea cannot tolerate really strong topicals like retinols.” Also avoid retinol if you're going to be spending a lot of time in direct sunlight without proper sun protection.

What is OK to mix with retinol?

Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid

“AHA, BHA, retinol and benzoyl peroxide can be mixed with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and rosehip oil to get effective results — just ensure you are not using retinol as well as AHA or BHA's during the day," says Graf.

Can you use hyaluronic acid with retinol?

Can hyaluronic acid and retinol be used together? Unlike many other skin care ingredients out there, hyaluronic acid and retinol can be used in the same skincare routine. Not only that, but using them together can help to lessen the severity of the side effects that often come with retinol usage.

How to Use Retinol: Avoid These Retinol Mistakes | Dr Sam Bunting

What moisturizer to put over retinol?

Trying retinol? Derms say these moisturizers will minimize dryness and irritation
  • La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer.
  • Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream.
  • Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion.
  • CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.
  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream.
  • Aveeno Calm and Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer.

What goes first retinol or hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid should be layered before retinol in case of dry or sensitive skin, as it helps create a barrier between retinol and your skin, offsetting irritation. Must-mention: let your hyaluronic acid serum dry before following with retinol as, if applied to damp skin, there's a higher risk of redness and dryness.

Is it OK to use vitamin C and retinol together?

There's no problem with using both retinol and vitamin C as part of your skincare routine, dermatologists say. In fact, Shirazi calls this combo a "power couple" when it comes to aging well.

What should I put on my face after retinol?

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.

How do you know if retinol is working?

You CAN see results in a few days, but you MIGHT NOT see results until after a few months of use.
  1. If you see improvement early on in treatment, it might not just be in your head.
  2. Improvements can take a while to see with retinoids, so stick with it for a few months before giving up.

What are the negative effects of retinol?

First-time retinol users have reported irritation, including redness, dryness, and peeling. 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.

Why do my wrinkles look worse after 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.

Should you moisturize after retinol?

Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.

How long should you wait to apply moisturizer after retinol?

Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)

Retinol is also an ingredient that should be left to absorb sufficiently into the skin before following up with another product. “It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product.

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.

How often should I use retinol as a beginner?

Start Slow

To acclimate your skin to the retinol, start using it twice a week (every three days) in the evenings. If you aren't experiencing any redness or flakiness the next day, you can bump it up to every other day—and then even every day if your skin can handle it.

Do I need to wash retinol off in the morning?

If you used products with potent actives such as retinols or strong acids on your skin overnight, we recommend that you cleanse your face in the morning as a precaution.

What goes first retinol or vitamin C?

If you're determined to use vitamin C and retinol together in the same routine, you'll need to make sure to put enough time between them. It's also essential to apply your vitamin C first because it has the lower pH of the two ingredients.

How long should I wait between vitamin C and retinol?

To reap the benefits of retinol and vitamin C without irritating or inflaming your skin, try using retinol one night and vitamin C the next. Over time, you'll start to notice radiant, firm skin from this nightly routine.

Can I use vitamin C in the day and retinol at night?

In general, vitamin C is best used in the morning and retinol is best used at night. In the morning, apply your vitamin C serum to clean, dry skin and follow with a face moisturizer for your skin type and sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. If you're using a face moisturizer with vitamin C, then just SPF on top is fine.

How long should I wait to apply hyaluronic acid after retinol?

Should I use Hyaluronic Acid before or after Retinol? You should use hyaluronic acid after retinol. And to maximise the benefits, you should use retinol first and then wait at least 30 minutes before applying hyaluronic acid.

What serums should not be mixed?

6 Skin-Care Ingredient Combinations That Don't Mix
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Alpha Hydroxy Acid. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Vitamin C. ...
  • Retinoid or Retinol and Salicylic Acid. ...
  • Soap-Based Cleanser and Vitamin C. ...
  • Two Products With the Same Actives.

Which is better for wrinkles retinol or hyaluronic acid?

"If you have dry, irritated skin that is lacking in moisture, choosing a product with hyaluronic acid would be my recommendation," Hartman says. "Anyone with acne-prone skin, or someone who is looking to even out tone and fine lines and wrinkles would benefit from using retinol."

What to pair with retinol at night?

Retinoid + Hydrators like (Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin)

A combination of retinoids and humectants such as niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid can help slow down TEWLs during application of retinoid. Hyaluronic Acid is an excellent ingredient to alleviate some of these concerns.

Can I put CeraVe over retinol?

A Dermatologist-Recommended Moisturizer To Use With Retinol Cream. According to Dr. King, the best moisturizer to pair with a retinol is CeraVe's Moisturizing Cream.

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