6 Situations When We Recommend You Stop Using Retina
When it comes to skincare ingredients, Retina is undoubtedly one of the most popular. But with that popularity often comes a lot of misinformation. So it can be hard to know when you’re getting the right results, when to stick with it, and when to stop.
Here are five situations when we recommend you stop using Retina. Just for a short time.
You have irritation.
Introducing Retina into your daily routine often comes with a host of side effects for your skin. Maybe it’s detoxification. (More on that here.) But it’s stinging, burning, and severe irritation that are really cause for concern.
You may be using too much and too often. So stop using and reduce usage to once a week. Or not. When your skin really says, “Don’t bother me.”
If you regularly incorporate Retina into your nightly regimen once a week, your skin will still be very radiant. As you build up a greater tolerance to the powerful active ingredient, you can start to gradually increase usage.
If you know you have a sensitive skin type or want to be extra safe, try the sandwich method: apply a nourishing moisturizer before and after a Retinal application to soothe your skin.
You have a sunburn.
Assumed, right? Because you wear sunscreen every day. (No matter what the weather app says.)
Great. We’re glad we fixed that.
In the rare event that you look a little tanned at the end of the day, we recommend avoiding Retinal until your skin has had a chance to heal and your skin barrier is no longer compromised. Applying Retinal to your sunburn will only exacerbate the heat and redness and delay the regeneration of your skin barrier.
Instead, focus on super soothing, soothing, and hydrating ingredients. Don’t reintroduce Retinal into your routine until you’ve spent some time in the repair shop (at least a week). Wait until any redness or flaking has completely disappeared.
You’ve booked a facial.
To avoid discomfort during your facial, it’s best to avoid a Retinal treatment a week before your appointment. Protect your skin from unnecessary post-facial inflammation.
If you’ve recently used retinal, let your aesthetician know so they can reconsider any waxing, peeling, or chemical peeling that may be included in your treatment. It will likely focus on deep hydration and replenishing the skin. (Since you’ve already done the job of removing dead cells at home. There’s no point in using more active ingredients.)
You’ve made an appointment for brow/lip hair removal or laser treatment.
Retinal works. We know that. But while the ingredient helps remove dead skin cells, the new/fresh/glowing skin cells that replace them are more susceptible to irritation from treatments like waxing and lasers.
Using retinal aggressively before a wax or laser appointment can sometimes lead to skin irritation (best case scenario) and cracking (worst case scenario). Using retinal aggressively after a wax or laser appointment may cause a mild burning sensation due to broken skin or opened hair follicles. We don’t want that.
It’s best to suspend the use of the product for a few days before and after a pampering treatment.
You’ve just had skin needling.
In general, after any skin needling treatment, there may be some redness and slight swelling around the treated area, and your face may feel warm. After three to five days, you’ll notice your skin becoming dry and flaky. A completely normal part of the regeneration process.
But! If you start using Retinol again right away, your skin will remain in a highly sensitive state for much longer than planned. Your skin barrier can only withstand so much, so it’s best to avoid using active ingredients (of any kind) until your skin has healed. Your dermatologist will give you stricter guidelines.
You’ve got a baby in your oven.
Retinaldehyde (or more precisely all retinoids) is an ingredient you must avoid during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Vitamin A plays a vital role in fetal development, which means that using large amounts of Retinol can affect early growth.
We recommend that you consult your doctor to determine the individual needs of you, your skin, and your little one during this time. (Hey! Congratulations, by the way.)
We love Retinol. You know it. It just comes with a lot of ifs and buts. We strongly recommend that you stick with it.
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
