There isa huge hype over retinol but a lot of people don’t know how to use retinol the RIGHT way.
Retinol can be a great way to reduce fine lines, prevent further wrinkles from appearing and reducing the appearance of acne scars overtime.
But what a lot of people don’t know is that for retinol to work its best, you need to make sure you are using it properly to get the full effects.
Despite how effective retinol is for the skin, there are also some guidelines that you need to know about when using retinol so that you don’t accidentally destroy your skin barrier.
HOW TO USE RETINOL THE RIGHT WAY WHEN APPLYING IT TO THE SKIN
Retinol can only be applied at NIGHT. Retinol exposes your sensitive skin to UV rays and can cause damage, and this is why it is best to use it at night.
Retinol should only be used 2-3x per week due to the fact that it can be harsh on the skin. So make sure not to use it every night or it could cause harsh flaking, redness and peeling.
When applying retinol to the skin, let it sit for 5-10 minutes to absorb and then apply a thick face cream overtop for added moisture. This helps to prevent your skin from drying out from the use of retinol. Applying a hyaluronic acid face cream overtop a retinol serum is a great option.
CHECK OUT OUR POST: PEPTIDES VS RETINOL WHICH IS BETTER FOR ANTI-AGING BENEFITS?
WHAT TO AVOID WHEN USING RETINOL
- DO NOT pair with topical Vitamin C because this reduces the effects of retinol
- NEVER wax your face when using retinol. This includes eyebrows. Make sure to stop retinol usage 5 days prior to facial waxing. This can damage the skin barrier.
- Avoid using harsh exfoliators when using retinol as this can cause damage and redness.
- DO NOT use retinol in the mornings, only at night time before bed.
- Make sure to apply retinol to DRY skin, not WET skin.
- AVOID high percentage retinol products if you are new to retinol. Aim for products less than 1%.
HOW TO USE RETINOL THE RIGHT WAY: SKINCARE IN THE MORNING
Every night that you apply retinol, you need to make sure you are providing the right skincare in the morning as well. It is all about protecting the skin barrier.
Retinol makes your skin barrier more sensitive, so you need to make sure you are doing the right things to protect it while using retinol products.
MORNING CARE AFTER USING RETINOL THE NIGHT BEFORE
- Cleanse with an oil cleanser to remove any residue from the night before
- Apply an SPF – THIS IS NON negotiable.
- Apply a hydrating face cream that is natural and that does not have any irritants like fragrance or harsh chemicals
IS IT SAFE TO USE RETINOL?
Yes! It is safe to use retinol as long as you are following the correct skincare steps alongside it. Retinol is actually the most effective ingredient in skincare that is scientifically proven to reduce fine lines.
Due to the cell turnover, it can cause your skin to look worse before it gets better because it is bringing all those old skin cells to the surface at first.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RETINOL
- Results take 2-3 weeks of consistent use to see a difference
- Your skin may look worse before it gets better because of cell turnover
- Your skin may be dryer or more red than normal for the first 2-3 weeks of usage
- You must use SPF daily when using retinol to protect your skin barrier
- Start out with a very low percentage if you are new to retinol (I use .03%)
HOW TO USE RETINOL THE RIGHT WAY: AFTERCARE
Always make sure to use an SPF DAILY when using retinol. This is SO important if you want to avoid skin damage.
If you don’t like the oily look of SPF there are plenty of spray on-the-go travel SPF options that you can use even overtop makeup.
