Moderate percentages of retinol (0.03% to 0.3%) give you faster results than lower percentages. Research shows that retinol concentrations of 0.03% and greater could counteract the visible effects of environmental damage and visible thinning of skin.
Retinol increases skin cell production (proliferation). It helps unclog pores. Retinol also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance.
0.3% – a relatively low but effective dose of retinol. "0.3% retinol is enough to give a good effect but also enough not to put the skin at risk or irritate the skin," continued Abi. "There are creams out there formulated at 1% and 2% but in my experience consumers don't always use retinol properly.
“Studies suggest you need to use at least 0.25% retinol or 0.025% tretinoin to be effective, so I recommend using a product that specifies the percentage.” When choosing a retinol product, Dr.
“Encapsulated retinol is a technology that allows the active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin layer before being activated. It can be thought of as a time-release technology because it prolongs the time between the product hitting your skin and when it starts working,” explains Dr. Paviol.
A 0.5-percent concentration is a good baseline.
For beginners, most dermatologists recommend a retinol with a concentration of 0.25 percent to one percent to see results.
Increasing the strength of retinol
SkinCeuticals retinol products come in three strengths: 0.3%, 0.5%, and 1% allowing you to gradually maintain and improve your results over time.
Advanced: 0.5% to 2%
But go there only if you absolutely must. Remember, the higher the dose, the higher the benefits, but also higher the risk of irritations. Even if your skin can tolerate retinol well by now, there's always the chance that pushing things too far will cause more problems than it's worth.
The telltale signs of retinol burn include skin that is red, irritated, flaky, inflamed, sore to the touch, and/or shedding. "You could also be experiencing breakouts or inflamed acne that is not usual for your skin," adds Idriss.
Yes, retinol is safe for skin. It is one of the most recommended ingredients to counteract aging skin. Retinol may cause minor side effects such as redness and irritation. However, these side effects dissipate within a few weeks as the skin becomes used to the cell turnover rate.
Over-the-counter adapalene (which contains a 0.1% concentration) is considered the first treatment to contain a prescription-strength acne-fighting retinoid, and out of all the prescription retinoids available, it's considered the weakest (and therefore, gentlest).
The formula uses 0.1% pure retinol combined with 0.2% retinol palmitate (progressive retinol) that ensures gradual release of the active ingredients. This slow-release technology means retinol is better tolerated and skin cell turnover is slower and gentler, leading to less flaking and irritation.
There are three standard percentages of prescriptive retinoic acid: 0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%. Most dermatologists will start you on a 0.025% and slowly advance the concentration over time, with visible results seen as early as six weeks or as late as six months.
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.
Overall, expect to see an improvement in skin texture, with smoother-looking skin. If you have fine lines and surface wrinkles, they will likely appear to have faded somewhat. Blemishes, scarring, and dark marks may also appear to fade or be less prominent.
Once your skin gets used to the low strength retinol it is time to move onto the medium strength retinols (concentrations from 0.04% to 0.3%). As we increase the concentration of retinol so you can expect to see added benefits especially with pigmentation marks, fine lines and even wrinkles.
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
2.5% retinol serum is an effective treatment for acne and acne scars. It unclogs pores, which in turn reduces breakouts of blackheads and whiteheads. The serum clears up skin blemishes and helps prevent future skin damage by keeping dead skin cells from clogging up pores.
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.
The Ordinary suggest starting your retinol regimen with their 0,2% concentration and gradually move onto 0,5% and 1% to give your skin the chance to build tolerance. Side effects if you don't may contain redness, peeling and a burning sensation.
Also known as retinoic acid, tretinoin is about 20 times more potent than retinol. It's stronger because retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that acts directly on the skin to boost cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair.
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.
It's perfectly safe and very effective to incorporate both retinol and vitamin C into your skincare routine, as long as you use them at different times of the day.