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. If your skin is not sensitive, you can usually tolerate something right in the middle; Dr.
From strongest to weakest, these are retinaldehyde, retinol and then retinol esters (such as retinyl palmitate).
The Ordinary Tip: Start with Retinol 0.2% in Squalane and slowly work your way up to Retinol 0.5% in Squalane and Retinol 1% in Squalane. That said, if you are prone to sensitivity, you may prefer to use newer retinoid technologies, such as those found in our Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion.
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. Especially around the eyes and mouth, things can get truly flakey.
Those with stubborn skin concerns, like deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone may want to consider a high percentage retinol cream, serum or treatment. But what percentage of retinol is effective? Look for formulations with a percentage between 0.3% and 1%, with retinol 1% being the strongest option.
More Faqs about Ordinary Retinol & Retinoids. Which Retinol or Retinoid is best for a beginner? We suggest starting with Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion/Squalane. I have pilling with 5% Granactive Retinoid in Squalane when using Hyaluronic Acid.
Moderate-strength retinol – 0.03% to 0.3%
If you experience skin concerns like uneven skin tone or texture and a visible loss of firmness, try adding a stronger product to your routine: around 0.2% retinol is ideal.
0.3% retinol is the lightest cream and is the best one to start with. 0.5% retinol is a common starting point for many but it's a stronger dose of retinol. 1.0% retinol is the highest concentration of retinol. You should build up to this cream after using the lower strength ones.
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.
Retinol is safe for sensitive skin. People with sensitive or dry skin should start with a lower retinol dosage, such as 0.25 %, and gradually increase it. Apply retinol 2-3 times a week to build tolerance.
Retinyl Palmitate - The Mildest Form of Retinol
Retinyl Palmitate is the most gentle form of retinol synthesized from vitamin A that is perfect for people with sensitive skin.
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.
Use only one retinol product at a time. Use retinol every other day rather than every day. Wait 30 minutes after washing your face before applying your retinol product. Avoid retinol products if you have a sunburn, broken skin or other skin irritations.
Pending potency, OTC retinol can take up to six months to see results." That's not to say you won't see any benefits upon the first few uses. Nussbaum explains that in the short term, the benefits are that your skin will be exfoliated of dead skin cells and your pores will be unclogged.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, if your retinol is irritating your skin, you should apply a thin layer of moisturizer before applying it to give your skin a little barrier. If your retinol is not irritating your skin, then depending on the formula, you can apply it before your moisturizer.
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.
"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."
Just like any other skincare ingredient, you will have to use this product regularly for around 2 months to see visible results.
The good news is that it is never too late to start incorporating retinol into your skin care routine. People in the 60s and beyond have begun using retinol and still experienced results.
Can I use retinol once a week? Yes, you can, but there's really no point in only applying it once a week. It is true that retinol is firstly initially drying and can cause some mild irritation. But this doesn't last long and once your skin is accustomed to the formula you can build to applying it every other evening.
Retinol and vitamin C products
Make sure to leave some space in your fridge for your retinol and vitamin C skincare, as these antioxidants can degrade much quicker and become unstable when exposed to heat and sunlight. Storing these products in the fridge keeps the formulas stable and helps with preservation.