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.
Is it safe to use retinol every day? For most people, yes — once your skin is used to it, that is. That said, there are some people who may not want to use it frequently or at all.
High-Strength Retinol:
Higher strength retinol is usually marked as a 0.5% and 1% concentration and it should only be used once your skin can fully tolerate the 0.3% or medium strength retinol for at least a month of daily night time use.
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.
Myth: You'll see results in 4 to 6 weeks
For over-the-counter retinol, it can take up to six months and with tretinoin up to three months for full results to be visible.
Use retinol once or twice a week at first to see how your skin reacts, and gradually work up to every other day or three times a week. Another key tip for using retinol is to incorporate it into your nighttime skincare routine only, as it makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
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.
Retinol is just one ingredient that can help clear and plump your skin. It can take several weeks before you'll start to see results from retinol, and your skin may look worse before it gets better, so try not to get discouraged. Start slowly and increase your use of retinol gradually.
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.
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.
Even lower concentrations can have benefits. Research from 2020 suggested 0.3 and 0.5 percent retinol serums can help reduce hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. That said, stronger prescription retinoids, plus the addition of other treatments, like benzoyl peroxide, may have more benefit for severe acne.
Darlings, using retinol under your eyes is a great way to brighten the look of your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you're wondering, "Can you use retinol under eyes?", the answer is YES!
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
The best dermatologist recommended retinols for wrinkles are usually 1% concentration. These may also be called 10x retinol. However, these are too strong for retinol beginners. There are many forms of prescription retinoids including tretinoin, tazarotene and trifarotene.
How do I use The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane? Apply a small amount to face in the PM as part of your skincare regimen, after water-based serums but before heavier treatments.
Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side ...
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.
What age is it recommended to start using retinol? There are no set rules on how old you should be to use retinol. For anti-aging purposes, you can start preventatively in your 20s. While over-the-counter retinol can help mild acne, many people with breakouts will need a prescription.
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 conclusion of my research was: There is evidence for the effectiveness of Tretinoin 0.05% and Retinol 0.5% on fine/deep lines/wrinkles, pigmentation and roughness. Retinol 0.5% gives the same effect as Tretinoin 0.05%.
Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.
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.