Yes, you can generally wear makeup the day after using retinol, but it's best to use gentle, hydrating products and avoid makeup with other actives (like acids) if your skin feels irritated, red, or flaky, as retinol increases sensitivity. Focus on moisturizing, allow your skin to breathe, and always use broad-spectrum SPF during the day.
Stay away from makeup that contains anti-aging or exfoliating ingredients. For example, some contain botanicals, acids or other ingredients that can cause irritation of the skin.” “If your skin is inflamed from retinol, my best recommendation is to apply a bland moisturizer and skip makeup for the day if possible.
We recommend following the 1-2-3 rule: apply retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times for three weeks, then move towards every second night if there are no side effects happening. If you do experience flaking, redness or sensitivity, simply move back to a lower frequency for a week.
Don't combine retinol with alpha or beta hydroxy acids, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, and other retinols or retinoids. Don't skip sunscreen Retinols are usually used as part of nighttime skincare routines, but even when they're applied at night, they can lead to lingering sun sensitivity.
Benzoyl peroxide presents a unique problem when combined with retinol because it's a powerful oxidizing agent. While incredibly effective for treating acne by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation, it can chemically deactivate retinol through oxidation, essentially neutralizing both ingredients' benefits.
For how long should I leave retinol on my face? Since you'll be using it as part of your nightly skincare routine, you can leave it on all night while you sleep. In the morning, you don't need to wash it off - you can just rinse your face with water, and do your morning routine.
Garshick says that hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are great to use with retinol as they can boost hydration and calm any irritation that might come with retinol use. The ingredients that you should be careful with are vitamin C, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid.
The ingredient that works up to 11 times faster than retinol is Retinal (also known as retinaldehyde), a potent Vitamin A derivative that's just one conversion step away from retinoic acid, allowing for quicker skin cell renewal, wrinkle reduction, and improved texture, though it's generally recommended for experienced users due to its strength.
Retinol: Apply a pea-sized amount of retinol to your face. If you're new to retinol, start with a lower concentration and gradually increase as your skin builds tolerance. Wait: Allow the retinol to absorb into your skin. Waiting 20-30 minutes can reduce the risk of irritation.
Yes, it is generally safe to use retinol under the eyes when done properly. The key is to choose a formulation specifically designed for the delicate eye area and to start with a low concentration to minimise irritation. It's also important to apply the product gently and avoid direct contact with the eyes.
The Retinol sandwich method involves “sandwiching” your retinol between two layers of Moisturizer. The technique was created to help minimize some of the potential side effects of Retinol, like dryness, redness, and flakiness.
Your 20s are a great time to introduce retinol into your skincare routine, as it's the perfect age to start targeting early signs of ageing and protecting your skin for the future. Retinol helps boost collagen production, reduce fine lines, and promote cell turnover, giving your skin a refined tone and texture.
Koreans use gentle, effective alternatives to retinol like Bakuchiol, Peptides, Ginseng, Adenosine, and antioxidants (Vitamin C, Green Tea), focusing on hydration (Hyaluronic Acid) and barrier support (Squalane, Snail Mucin) to achieve anti-aging results without irritation. These ingredients boost collagen, improve firmness, and smooth texture, making them great for sensitive skin or those avoiding retinoids.
Moisturizing is an essential step in any skincare routine. While retinol has so many benefits, it takes time for your skin to get used to it, and moisturizing can help ease the transition. If you don't apply moisturizer before or after retinol (or both), you may experience: Redness.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer
“It has no fragrance, is dye-free and restores the skin's natural barrier against moisture loss. This moisturizer quenches extra-dry skin, relieves intense dryness and leaves the skin looking smooth, which is excellent for those using retinol,” he says.
The Retinol 1-2-3 Method is a gradual skin-adapting technique for beginners: use retinol once a week for the first week, twice a week for the second week, and three times a week for the third week, then work up to every other night or nightly as your skin tolerates it, minimizing irritation and building tolerance to the active ingredient. This "low and slow" approach helps avoid dryness, redness, and peeling (retinization) by letting skin adjust before increasing frequency.
Eating fiber rich vegetables first, followed by protein, and then finished with a carbohydrate is said to be the ideal way to eat to slow aging. Basically, by following this method, your blood sugar will not suddenly spike.
Yes, retinoids are the gold standard in wrinkle-preventing and line-smoothing treatments, but they're also excellent at plumping your skin, clearing and shrinking pores, and fading dark spots and redness.
To make sure you get the most out of your retinol, we recommend you wait at least a few minutes until it has absorbed into your skin completely before applying moisturizer. Applying moisturizer too soon, for any retinol product — not just Protocol's — can dilute its potency and reduce its effectiveness.
Retinol/retinoids do not need to be washed off the following morning.
Apply retinol in a thin layer to your entire face (be careful not to get it in your mouth, nose and eyes). You should use a dose that's about the size of a pea. For the first couple weeks of treatment, apply retinol only every other day. Finish with a facial moisturizer that won't clog your pores (noncomedogenic).
Dry skin exaggerates wrinkles, making them look deeper. Retinoids can increase dryness initially, worsening the appearance of fine lines.
Discontinue use if you have negative side effects after a few weeks of use and contact your physician to help reassess your skin type and find a solution that will protect your skin barrier . Consider using moisturizing and soothing topical skin care products with retinol to counteract its negative side effects.