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.
As for your nightly regimen, don't go all-in on the ingredient all the time. "Use a tiny bit and start out every other night," says Dr. Zeichner. Only use it at night since retinol products can be photosensitizing and make your skin more prone to sun damage.
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.
"If you're overusing your retinol, or if you're using a retinol that's too strong for you, it can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness, which may have led to retinol's association with skin thinning," says Dr. Icecreamwala. "This will make your skin look older and accentuate wrinkles."
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.
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
Retinoids, such as prescription tretinoin or over-the-counter retinols, are a key ingredient in anti-aging skin care. Researchers have found that topical retinoid use around the eyes can enhance skin firmness and elasticity.
Benefits of Using Retinol Under Eyes
The superstar ingredient helps to build up collagen and soften fine lines, among other benefits for the eye area (and everywhere else you use retinol), according to Dr.
Applying retinol around the eye area will result in a smoother, tighter, and firmer look with dark under-eye circles becoming notably improved and less pigmentated. Just remember that retinol is sensitive to sunlight so always ensure you are applying it during your evening skincare routine.
A 0.5-percent concentration is a good baseline.
If your skin is not sensitive, you can usually tolerate something right in the middle; Dr. Sethi starts her patients on a 0.5-percent concentration of retinol, which is suitable for most skin types, she says.
Because the skin around the eyes is more sensitive, Dr. Kashlan recommends that her patients avoid the eye area altogether. For patients with sensitive skin, she suggests applying Vaseline to the eye area to protect the skin from irritation before using retinol or retinoids on the rest of the face.
Retinol works for acne by preventing clogged pores. You may still see pimples for the first couple of months of treatment – your skin might even look worse (this is sometimes referred to as the retinol purge). But if you stick with it, you'll see clearer skin.
Yes. In fact, retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, try to use them at night because light and air deactivate some types. If you experience any side effects — like skin redness or dryness — then it's a good idea to back down to once every 2 or 3 nights.
Retinoids and retinol in anti-aging facial lotions and under-eye creams can cause meibomian gland damage. Dr. Periman said she recommends that her dry eye patients stop using retinyl derivatives on the face altogether. “When patients stop using Retin-A around the eyes, their dry eye gets better,” she said.
Bare Skin Care - Is it possible for a retinol eye cream to make my under-eye wrinkles worse? 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.
Does Retinol Tighten Eyes? Yes! Retinol helps boost collagen production, which can help reverse some of the signs of aging, like fine lines, discoloration, and loose skin. To see the best results, you'll need to use it every night for a few weeks, and then continue that for months.
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.
Skin experts always advocate applying actives on damp skin for better absorption. However the same rule does not apply to retinol. While you must ensure that you 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.
You lose a layer of protection.
"Many of the most effective skin care ingredients like retinoids, salicyclic acid, and benzoyl peroxide tend to be very drying," says Dr. Bowe. So when you don't follow them up with moisturizer, you risk uncomfortable side effects like red, peeling skin.
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.
Can I use The Ordinary Retinol and Buffet around my eyes together? Our retinoid products should be avoided around the eyes. You are welcome to apply “Buffet” around the eyes.
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.