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)
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.
The best thing to combine with a retinol is a moisturiser because it hydrates the skin while reducing the risk of irritation,” explains Dr. Mittal Gupta.
STEP 4: WAIT UNTIL YOUR SKIN IS DRY
It's essential to make sure to wait until your skin is dehydrated before moving on to applying your retinol. If you use it on wet or even damp skin, there is a greater likelihood that you'll experience irritation. That is because cleansing the skin opens up the pores.
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.
To apply a serum with retinol correctly, smooth it onto clean skin after you cleanse and before your moisturizer. Your serum will have a thinner consistency than your moisturizer, which is what determines the application order.
Retinoid or Retinol and Benzoyl Peroxide
“Benzoyl peroxide may deactivate the retinoid molecule,” says Dr. Sikora.
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.
For sensitive skin types, some experts even recommend the “sandwich method” when using retinol. First, apply a light layer of a humectant-filled moisturizer like Dew Point. Next, smooth on your retinol. Finally, apply a second, thicker layer of the same moisturizer to seal everything in.
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.
Do Layer Retinol with Hyaluronic Acid. Retinol and hyaluronic acid are safe and effective when layered and used together. Hyaluronic acid, found naturally in our bodies, is a powerful humectant, which means that it keeps skin hydrated and plump.
Important Tips When Incorporating Retinol into Your Beauty Routine. 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.
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.
If you're wondering whether you can put retinol under your eyes, the answer is yes! While the skin under your eyes is delicate and requires extra attention, using the correct retinol-infused eye care products under your eyes is a great way to tackle eye bags, wrinkles and dark circles.
In fact, you can mix retinol with Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Ceramide Night Treatment, which is good for hydration, and SPF, which is even more important to use since Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
At night, apply a pea-sized amount of your retinol product ideally 30 minutes after you've washed your face.
Always apply retinol products at night, as sunlight can diminish their power. If you're a prescription-strength user, use retinol as the first layer on your skin after washing your face with a cleansing cream and before applying your anti-aging moisturizer.
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.
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 can be a skin irritant
Dermatitis, erythema (redness), scaling/dryness, peeling, burning or stinging, and irritation of the skin are common adverse reactions reported with retinol use, and, in some cases, the reactions are so bad, that even at low concentrations it cannot be used by certain people.
Skin purging happens when new ingredients, like retinol, promote increased cell turnover, which causes clogging and worsening breakouts. This is particularly the case as oil and debris that is trapped deeper underneath the skin comes to the surface.
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.