Dr. Chimento agrees that retinol can be beneficial to your skin with longterm use. "If appropriately used, retinol is safe to use long-term as a method to fight skin aging," she tells InStyle. "Retinol helps maintain skin elasticity."
Topical retinol is generally safe for long-term use without any detrimental health risks.
Side effects of using retinol may include:
Itching. Dry skin. Flaking and peeling of the skin. Increased sensitivity to the sun.
It's best to start with a retinyl palmitate or retinol, and to try it for three months and then have a three month break. This is due to research that suggests cell turnover is no longer increased after three months of usage.
Chronic use of prescription retinoid significantly disrupts the function of the external skin barrier. A healthy skin barrier, functioning at its optimum, is critical for good skin health.
No, it's not. It's just an adjustment process. For the record, no study proved that there's been any skin damage or signs of 'faster aging' caused solely by retinol.
Can Retinol Damage the Skin? You may have heard that extended retinol use can cause the skin to thin and the skin barrier to degrade as a result of increased cell turnover, but Shah says that's a myth. You don't need to worry about retinol causing permanent damage, Schlessinger says.
If you do want to stop using your current retinol products please don't just stop them cold turkey. Well you can, but just be warned that your skin will likely have some pretty extreme reactions for the next month or so.
What happens when you stop using retinol? It may take a week or more for your skin to return to normal after discontinuing the use of retinol. Keep in mind that retinol works on a cellular level, and it takes time for your skin cells to adjust to its introduction and its departure.
If your skin is tolerating Retinol well after three weeks of use every three days, move up to every other day, then every day. As a rule the more irritated your skin is, the less frequently you should apply it. If your skin responds well, you can start applying Retinol every night.
“Since retinol is pushing up skin cells to the surface at a faster rate, retinol can cause micro-peeling (invisible peeling) in most skin types, so it's important not to use it 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.
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.
Begin in Your Mid 20s or Early 30s
"Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol," says Ellen Marmur, M.D. "Many patients who have used it for years swear by it."
It breaks down in sunlight, and it makes your skin more prone to sun damage. According to Rita Nandi, NHS GP, MBChB, a cosmetic doctor at The Bloom Clinic, it's OK to use retinol year-round. Just a couple caveats: Apply it at night and go heavy on the SPF the next morning.
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.
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.
Retinol works by stimulating fibroblast and collagen fiber production and improving skin elasticity. Retinol is also one of the best ways to “reduce the appearance of fine lines, crow's feet, and wrinkles,” says Henry. It's a must in your 50s if you haven't already been using it.
Retinoids can cause skin to flake or become sensitive, but arguably the best anti-ageing ingredient out there right now, it's worth persevering. You can either start by applying in 2-3 nights per week and build up to every other night or even nightly if your skin can tolerate it.
Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
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.
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.
You should always apply retinol at night, after cleansing, and before your nighttime moisturizer. Five minutes is enough to wait for your retinol to sink in before applying moisturizer; you want to layer them, not mix them.