What not to do when starting retinol?

Exfoliating is abrasive and irritating, and you do not want to compound the skin irritation by heightening your skin's sensitivity,” she says, adding that if you're getting certain in-office treatments like lasers, microneedling, microdermabrasion, you will want to take a break from your retinol.

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What to avoid when starting retinol?

Don't use retinol with Vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and glycolic acid, which are other common skincare ingredients. If you want to take advantage of the benefits of these ingredients, make sure you use them in the morning rather than at night when you apply retinol to avoid skin irritation and redness.

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Do you break out when you first start using retinol?

Most people who introduce retinol to their skin, experience severe breakouts, dryness, itchiness, and redness. The immediate side effects of retinol treatment can take the form of a surge in acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and rashes. This is termed retinol purging.

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How do you start retinol safely?

Since retinol can irritate your skin, it's best to start slow. After a patch test, you might use a product once every few days, and then gradually ramp up to once or twice per day. At first, you might experience redness, itching or burning, but these symptoms go away as your skin gets used to the treatment.

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How do I start retinol without purging?

Those who are new to retinol need to start slow. “I recommend using retinol every two days or even just once per week to start to avoid irritation, redness, and skin purging, then gradually increasing frequency if no issues arise,” suggest Dr. Engelman.

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James Lindsay Knows More About This Than Anyone

19 related questions found

How long do retinol uglies last?

The retinol uglies aren't inevitable—but should they occur, rest assured that the eventual pros are likely to outweigh any initial cons. As far as how long the skin purge lasts, Dr. Samolitis says it typically spans about two weeks.

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Does purging always happen with retinol?

It doesn't happen to everyone, but many people find their breakouts worsen before they get better when they start using a retinol product. Of course (as with any new skincare product) you'll want to conduct a patch test 24 hours before using retinol for the first time.

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What is the rule of 3 for retinol?

Rule 3: Slow and steady wins the race

“Retinol can cause irritation when it's first used, so start off using the product once or twice weekly and gradually build up to every night,” advises Mahto, who says the same rule applies whether you're introducing a prescription retinoid or an over-the-counter product.

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Is 30 too late to start retinol?

If you've surpassed your 20s and are concerned that you've missed your window for reaping the benefits of retinol, don't worry—it's never too late to start. Dr. Arthur says she's had patients who reported noticeable results after starting retinol in their 60s and 70s.

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Is 1% retinol too much for beginners?

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.

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How long does it take for skin to adjust to retinol?

New York dermatologist, Dendy Engelman, M.D., explains that the skin gradually adjusts to retinol. "Clinically, we've seen that it takes about three weeks for skin cells to adapt to retinoic acid and begin building their tolerance," says Engelman, which is why some degree of irritation is totally normal early on.

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How often should I use retinol as a beginner?

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.

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What does a retinol burn look like?

Despite dermatologists describing retinol as a skin-care star, it can come with an unpleasant side effect: retinol burn. Also known as retinol irritation, it's essentially what happens when your face can't tolerate the powerful ingredient and subsequently devolves into a flaky, peeling, red mess.

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What pairs well with retinol?

Turn back to this blog post whenever you need a refresher on what to mix with your trusty vitamin A.
  • Ingredients You Can Use with Retinol. ...
  • Niacinamide. ...
  • Vitamin C. ...
  • Hyaluronic Acid. ...
  • Salicylic Acid. ...
  • Azelaic Acid. ...
  • Peptides and Ceramides. ...
  • Sunscreen.

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Is it better to put retinol on damp or dry skin?

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.

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Why does retinol make skin worse at first?

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.

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Is 40 too old to start retinol?

It's Never Too Late to Start Using Retinol as an Addition to Your Skincare Routine. At any point in life, retinol is a positive ingredient for your skin, ultimately achieving outstanding results.

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Can you put hyaluronic acid over retinol?

Retinol and hyaluronic acid are two popular skincare treatments people use for fine lines, wrinkles, and sensitive skin. Both are powerful agents that offer a range of benefits, so you may be wondering, “Can I use hyaluronic acid with retinol?” The short answer is yes, you can.

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What happens if you use too much retinol too soon?

"Too much retinol will produce too much cell division, causing large numbers of immature cells to rise up to the surface without the proper bonds to hold them together." When too many cells rise up to the surface, the skin can start to peel, as the lipids and bonds that are needed to hold them together haven't yet ...

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Can I use retinol every night?

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.

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Which retinol is best for beginners?

This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
  • Skinceuticals retinol 0.3% ...
  • Alpha H vitamin A 0.5% ...
  • Beauty Pie super retinol ceramide-boosting anti-ageing face serum. ...
  • The Ordinary Granactive retinoid 2% in squalane. ...
  • Indeed Labs retinol reface skin resurfacer. ...
  • Votary intense night oil rosehip and retinoid.

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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.

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What does skin purging look like?

What Does Skin Purging Look Like? If your skin is purging, you'll usually notice small, red pimples that may even feel uncomfortable to touch. You may also experience dryness, peeling, and irritation.

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How do you survive retinol purge?

How to deal with the purge phase?
  1. Acceptance: Your body will take time to adjust to retinol. ...
  2. Stay hydrated: The first few weeks of using retinol can involve irritated and dry skin. ...
  3. Use moisturizer: Your skin turns flaky and dry during the first few weeks of using retinol.

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