6 Occasions When We Encourage You To Stop Using Retinal
As far as skincare ingredients go, retinal is one of the most popular, for sure. But with such popularity often comes a slew of misinformation. So it’s tricky to know when you’re getting the right results, when to push through, and when to stop using.
Here are five times when we encourage you to put down your retinal. Just for a little while.
You’re experiencing irritation.
Introducing a retinal into your routine more often than not, comes with a series of skin side effects. Purging, perhaps. (More on that here.) But it’s the stinging, burning, severe irritation that’s a real cause for concern.
You might be using too much, too frequently. So stop, and pull it right back to one application per week. Or none. If your skin is really saying ‘leave me alone’.
Incorporating retinal into your evening routine just once a week, consistently, is still going to grant you very glowy skin. When you’ve built up more of a tolerance for strong actives, that’s when you can start to gradually increase your usage.
If you know you have a sensitive skin type or want to give yourself even more of a buffer, try sandwiching: applying a nourishing moisturiser before and after your retinal to help soothe the skin.
You’re sunburnt.
Hypothetically, right? Because you’re wearing SPF daily. (Regardless of what the weather app says.)
Great. Glad we cleared that up.
Now, if on the very rare occasion you end your day looking a little sun-kissed, we recommend skipping retinal until your skin has had a chance to heal and your skin barrier is no longer compromised. Applying a retinal on top of sunburn is only going to exacerbate the heat and redness, and prolong the recovery of your skin barrier.
Focus instead of super soothing, calming, moisturising ingredients. And only reintroduce retinal into your routine once you’ve properly spent some time (a week, at least) in The Repair Shop. Wait for any redness or flaking to disappear completely.
You’ve booked in for a facial.
To avoid any discomfort during your facial, it’s best to skip retinal in the week leading up to your appointment. Save your skin from unnecessary post-facial inflammation.
If you have applied retinal recently then please do let your facialist know, so they can rethink any waxing, exfoliation, chemical peels, that may have been incorporated in your treatment. They will likely focus instead on deeply hydrating and replenishing your skin. (Because you’ve already put in the work at home to remove dead cells. No point doubling down on actives.)
You’ve booked in to get a brow/lip wax or laser.
Retinal is powerful. We know this. But while this active helps to slough away dead skin cells, the new/fresh/glowy skin cells they’re replaced with are more susceptible to irritation from treatments like waxing and laser.
Actively using retinal before your waxing or laser appointment can sometimes result in skin irritation (at best), and tearing (at worst). Actively using retinal after your waxing or laser appointment might result in a bit of a burning sensation, due to some broken skin or open hair follicles. And we don’t want that.
It’s best to press pause on this product for a few days either side of pampering.
You’ve just had skin needling.
Generally, after any skin needling treatment, you can expect some redness, slight swelling around the areas that were treated, and your face might feel warm to touch. Three to five days later you’ll notice the skin becomes dry and flaky. A completely normal part of the regenerative process.
But! If you jump straight back into using retinal, you are going to leave your skin in a highly sensitive state for much longer than planned. Your skin barrier can only take so much, so it’s best to lay off actives (of any kind) until your skin has healed. Your dermal clinician will give you a stricter guide.
You’ve got a bun in the oven.
Retinal (or rather, all retinoids) is one ingredient you need to avoid during both pregnancy and breastfeeding. Vitamin A plays a pivotal role in fetal development, which means using a high level of retinal has the potential to interfere with early growth.
We recommend you consult your doctor to determine the individual needs of you, your skin, and your little belly friend during this time. (Hey! Congrats, btw.)
We love retinal. You know that. It just comes with a lot of ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. And you’d be wise to follow.
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.
