When using retinol, avoid combining it with other strong exfoliants like AHAs/BHAs (glycolic, salicylic acid), Benzoyl Peroxide, and Vitamin C, as this causes irritation, redness, and dryness; also skip physical scrubs, harsh cleansers, and potentially other strong actives like Hydroquinone or too many retinoids at once, instead pairing retinol with hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide on different days or nights.
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.
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.
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, is an excellent partner for retinol. It helps to regulate oil production, strengthen the skin barrier, and reduce dark spots. Additionally, niacinamide reduces inflammation and irritation, ensuring your skin responds positively to retinol.
Typically, doctors do not prescribe retinoids to people with eczema, as this medication can aggravate eczema symptoms. However, certain prescription retinoids, such as alitretinoin and acitretin, may help treat severe eczema that is unresponsive to other treatments.
Bakuchiol and rosehip oil are two popular natural alternatives to retinol. Both are derived from plants and offer benefits like skin regeneration, improved elasticity, and reduced fine lines without causing irritation.
The "3-minute rule" for eczema is a key skincare guideline: apply moisturizer to damp skin within three minutes of getting out of a bath or shower to lock in moisture, strengthen the skin barrier, and prevent dryness and itching. This practice, recommended by dermatologists, involves gently patting the skin dry, leaving it slightly damp, and immediately applying a thick cream or ointment to seal in hydration, reducing eczema flare-ups and soothing the skin.
Yes, niacinamide and retinol can both be used together in the same routine. In fact, it's quite common to find both ingredients within the same formula, but you can also use them as individual steps. While niacinamide can be used morning and night, you can also combine it with retinol in the evening.
The answer is yes, but how you layer them matters. Vitamin C works best in the morning under sunscreen, providing a layer of protection against free radicals and UV damage throughout the day. Retinol, however, should be used at night, as it can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun.
After a few minutes, you can apply SPF moisturizer during the day. Follow with a nighttime moisturizer during your evening skincare routine. If you are starting out with retinol, use it at night. Then, use SPF during the day because retinol can increase photosensitivity.
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.
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.
Under legislation that took effect in the European Union at the end of 2023, new restrictions have been placed on the concentration of retinol in skincare products, such as retinol serums and moisturizers. The new regulation caps retinol at 0.3% in facial and hand products, while body lotions are limited to 0.05%.
But the real question isn't can you; it's how often you comfortably use retinol without side effects. Daily use is a destination, not a departure point. After your skin gets used to retinol, applying it every night can achieve miraculous long-term results. But if you notice peeling, redness, or sensitivity, reduce it.
How To Layer Retinol Serum In Your Nighttime Skin Care Routine
In most cases, yes. In fact, you'll often find these two ingredients working in tandem in skincare formulations (including the aforementioned retinol serum). Retinol has many benefits, but it can be drying for some. Adding hyaluronic acid to your regimen may help reduce that dryness and keep your skin feeling hydrated.
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.
If you're determined to use vitamin C and retinol together in the same routine, you'll need to make sure to put enough time between them. It's also essential to apply your vitamin C first because it has the lower pH of the two ingredients.
Niacinamide, or Vitamin B3, is a versatile skincare ingredient that works well with retinol. It helps to soothe the skin, reduce redness, and improve the skin's barrier function. Using a niacinamide serum in conjunction with retinol can help mitigate irritation and enhance skin texture and tone.
Some ingredients can interact negatively with retinol, potentially causing irritation, sensitivity, or diminishing its effectiveness.
You should generally avoid mixing niacinamide at the same time with strong acids (AHAs like glycolic acid, BHAs like salicylic acid) and high concentrations of Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) to prevent irritation, redness, and reduced effectiveness due to differing pH levels, though using them at different times of day or opting for more stable forms of Vitamin C can work. Also use caution with Benzoyl Peroxide and high pH cleansers.
In the evening start with applying niacinamide serum to help soothe and strengthen your skin barrier. After the niacinamide has been absorbed, apply your retinol product to promote cell turnover and reduce fine lines. Finally, apply hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and hydrate your skin.
People with severe eczema may be low in vitamin D, some research shows. In studies on a very small number of people, eczema symptoms got better a month after they started taking vitamin D every day. The adult dose is 600 international units (IUs) a day. Infants and children up to the age of 12 can have 400 IUs.
When you have eczema or atopic dermatitis, it's key to use a moisturizer. Dry skin can often make eczema worse. Moisturizers lock in water and create a barrier against things that can irritate your skin. You can choose from plenty of products, but they're not the same.
Recent research suggests that some vitamins — specifically B12, B3 (niacinamide), D and E — could be helpful in reducing itch because they reduce inflammation, regulate immune responses and support the skin barrier.