Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes) “It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product. Retinols are powerful antioxidants and it is important to allow it to fully absorb if you want to avoid your skin becoming sensitive,” says Dr Liakas.
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. Use SPF 30 and wear sun protective clothing and hats to reduce your exposure to the sun.
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.
You only need a tiny amount—about a pea-size—for your entire face. Apply it onto clean skin, and make sure that you're using gentle and mild products in the rest of your routine to not overwhelm your skin, suggests Chen, at least until your skin is used to the vitamin A. Keep in mind that patience is a virtue.
Apply retinol at night.
Sunlight makes vitamin A in retinol less effective, so applying it before you go to bed helps you get the full effects of the cream. Since you don't have to wash the retinol off after you put it on, you can let it absorb into your skin overnight while you're sleeping.
Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)
“It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product. Retinols are powerful antioxidants and it is important to allow it to fully absorb if you want to avoid your skin becoming sensitive,” says Dr Liakas.
The short answer is yes. "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.
Long-term use of large amounts might cause serious side effects including mental changes. When applied to the skin: Vitamin A is possibly safe when used short-term. Retinol 0.5% serum has been used daily for up to 12 weeks without serious side effects.
It is generally conceded that vitamin A can be absorbed through the 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.
The best product you can use in conjunction with retinol, according to Dr. Zeichner, is a moisturizer, which can help hydrate skin and reduce the risk of irritation from retinol. “Some people even prefer to mix their retinol with a moisturizing cream to dilute it out,” he says.
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.
The most common adverse effect of topical vitamin A is skin irritation, erythema, and peeling.
Think of Vitamin A as the 'family name' and Retinol is a 'member' of this Vitamin A family. Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. You may recognise names such as retinol, retinal, retinoic acid or retinyl ester — which are all forms of vitamin A.
Vitamin A products, including retinol and Retin-A, have been called the "gold standard" of antiaging skincare, helping your skin look younger and smoother. Vitamin A is a vital nutrient to our health, and researchers have found that it can help boost collagen production to treat wrinkles and aging skin.
Vitamin A in large doses has the same effects as Accutane, both good and bad, but quickly becomes harmful since it builds up in the tissue. (Important: Don't take any vitamin A while on Accutane). Accutane is formed naturally in the body from the Vitamin A present in the bloodstream.
The choice should come down to what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is most notable for helping to brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, retinol is typically considered best-in-class for wrinkles and fine lines.
Tazarotene is regarded as the strongest and Adapalene the gentlest to the skin. There is no argument that prescription formulas deliver the best results, but there are drawbacks—the most common being potential irritation, redness and peeling.
Even though vitamin A ingredients can strengthen and thicken the skin over time, they can compromise the skin's natural protective barrier. This is because vitamin A is a very biologically active ingredient. As such, it can lead to unwanted side effects like dryness, dehydration, and irritation.
Can you put vitamin A directly on your face? A. Yes, some vitamin A supplements come in the form of capsules and can be broken and applied directly to the face. However, when it comes to topical application, it is best to consult a dermatologist before trying anything.
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
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.
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.