Neither retinol nor hyaluronic acid (HA) is inherently "better"; they serve different, complementary functions, with retinol targeting cell turnover, wrinkles, and texture, while HA focuses on intense hydration and plumping. Retinol is for rejuvenation (acne, aging signs), causing potential dryness, while HA adds moisture, making them a powerful duo, often used together (HA first, then retinol at night, or HA in the AM/retinol in the PM) to combat retinol's drying effects and boost results.
Indeed, retinol is excellent for treating acne and imperfections, while hyaluronic acid is ideal for dehydrated skin. And it is also possible to combine them in your beauty routine to benefit from their full effectiveness. This moisturizing cream, to be used daily, has many advantages!
However, retinol is also being considered for rosacea due to its potential to improve skin texture and reduce inflammation. However, its use is not without controversy, as the sensitive nature of rosacea-affected skin can react variably to potent ingredients.
Retinoids such as retinol, tretinoin, adapalene and tazarotene can cause retinol side effects like a rash, irritation, redness, and skin sensitivity. There are many different types of retinoids at different percentages and strengths. The stronger retinoids are more likely to cause retinoid dermatitis.
No, retinol is generally not considered safe during pregnancy because it's a vitamin A derivative, and high levels of vitamin A are linked to birth defects and miscarriage, with even topical use posing a risk as it can absorb into the bloodstream. Healthcare providers recommend avoiding all retinoids, including retinol, while pregnant, trying to conceive, and breastfeeding, advising alternatives like hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C, and niacinamide for skincare.
Don't panic if you accidentally used retinol while pregnant. “It's likely just fine,” Sodha says. But it's safest to stop using retinol during pregnancy going forward.
How often can you use retinol? Since retinol can irritate your skin, it's best to start slow. After a patch test, you might use a product once every few days, and then gradually ramp up to once or twice per day.
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.
“When we're dealing with retinoids, we want to use a lower strength on the neck,” Dr. Khetarpal advises. “That's because the neck has fewer oil glands and can be more susceptible to dryness and irritation.”
In addition, Retinol can also cause your skin to become dry, flaky, and irritated, this phenomenon, if prolonged and recurring many times, will lead to dermatitis, hyperpigmentation and dark skin. If you use retinol and your skin becomes dark skin, stop using it immediately.
The most common rosacea trigger is sun exposure (sunlight), with heat and hot weather also being major factors, as both UV rays and heat cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to flushing and redness. Other frequent triggers include spicy foods, alcohol (especially red wine), stress, strenuous exercise, and sudden temperature changes.
How to Build a Skin Care Routine for Rosacea
Azelaic acid: More than just an acne treatment
Ideal for those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, azelaic acid works to fade dark spots by inhibiting melanin production, evening out skin tone without irritation. It's a gentle solution for calming inflammation and soothing redness while improving overall texture.
PGA has proven to be a better moisturizer than that of hyaluronic acid due to its larger molecular size, restoring skin elasticity, plumping the skin, and smoothing skin wrinkles.
Tretinoin is significantly stronger than retinol. Tretinoin is already in its active form, retinoic acid, and works directly on the skin, making it far more potent than retinol, which must first convert to retinaldehyde and then to retinoic acid to become effective.
Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid
Provides hydration for all skin types. It is especially beneficial for those with naturally dry skin and those with mature skin. It is important for all skin types as the hydration it provides promotes healthier, younger-looking skin.
You can also help to prevent turkey neck (and reduce its appearance) by applying a retinoid daily. This will help to boost collagen production and promote skin cell turnover, for fresher skin.
Dry skin exaggerates wrinkles, making them look deeper. Retinoids can increase dryness initially, worsening the appearance of fine lines.
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.
Basically, your skin is purging the dead skin and bacteria which can temporarily trigger problems like acne, flaking, peeling, and more. The retinol uglies are the definition of it gets worse before it gets better. People with sensitive and/or dry skin experience worse retinol uglies for longer.
Increased Sensitivity: Retinol users often experience increased sensitivity to sunlight and other skincare products. When you discontinue retinol, your skin may become less tolerant to these factors, leading to potential irritation and sun damage.
How to use retinol and ceramides: retinol and ceramides are a great match. We recommend using a ceramide enriched moisturiser after your retinol serum to help support your skin moisture barrier.
Retinol works similarly on nails as it does on skin, encouraging healthy renewal of the nail plate1. Some studies have demonstrated that retinoids (the family of compounds related to vitamin A) can positively affect nail growth rate and thickness.