How to Improve Your Skin While Waiting for Retinol to Kick In
Retinol is widely celebrated in the skincare world — and for good reason. It’s a powerful ingredient renowned for its ability to reduce fine lines, improve texture, and even out skin tone.
However, if you’re new to retinol, you might find that it makes your skin look worse before it looks better.
This temporary phase can be frustrating, but it’s a common part of the process as your skin adapts.
If you’ve started using retinol and noticed dryness, redness, peeling, or tightness, don’t worry — you’re not alone.
These side effects, often dubbed the “retinol ugly phase,” are normal and usually subside within a few weeks.
But while you wait for your skin to adjust, there are many effective steps you can take to support your skin’s health and minimize discomfort.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to properly introduce retinol into your routine, what you can do to care for your skin in the meantime, and the best complementary skincare ingredients to use alongside retinol.
We’ll also cover common questions such as how long adaptation takes and how to protect your skin throughout the process.
Why Retinol Can Make Your Skin Look Worse at First
Retinol speeds up cell turnover — it encourages your skin to shed dead cells and generate new ones faster.
While this leads to fresher, smoother skin over time, the initial acceleration can cause your skin’s surface to become irritated and flaky.
This “retinol ugly phase” typically involves:
Dryness and flaking
Redness and inflammation
Tightness and itchiness
Increased sensitivity to sunlight and environmental factors
Everyone experiences this adjustment period to some degree, especially those with sensitive or dry skin.
The key is to manage it properly to avoid excessive irritation and ensure you get the long-term benefits without damaging your skin barrier.
How to Introduce Retinol to Your Routine for Best Results
Many people make the mistake of rushing retinol use in hopes of faster results, applying it nightly right from the start.
Unfortunately, this often backfires by overwhelming the skin and causing severe irritation.
The best approach is slow and steady:
Start Slow — Begin by applying retinol just once per week.
Build Tolerance — After one or two weeks, increase to twice per week.
Gradual Increase — Continue increasing frequency gradually, aiming for three times per week or more as your skin allows.
Always apply retinol products at night, since sun exposure can degrade retinol and reduce its effectiveness. Pair retinol with a moisturizer immediately afterward to mitigate dryness.
Patience is essential here — although it can be tempting to push your skin, gradual introduction ensures you maintain skin health while benefiting from retinol’s powerful effects.
Preparing Your Skin Before Applying Retinol
Proper preparation makes a big difference in how your skin tolerates retinol. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Cleanse Thoroughly — Start with a clean face free of makeup, oils, and other products.
Dry Your Skin Completely — Retinol should be applied to dry skin to prevent it from penetrating too deeply and causing irritation.
Apply a Pea-Sized Amount — Use a small amount and gently massage it into your skin using circular motions.
Follow With a Moisturizer — Hydrating ingredients help reinforce your skin’s barrier and soothe any tightness.
Protect Your Skin — In the morning, always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. This step is non-negotiable because retinol increases photosensitivity.
If you have any concerns or skin conditions, consulting a dermatologist before starting retinol is highly recommended.
How Long Does It Take for Skin to Adapt to Retinol?
Typically, your skin will begin to adapt to retinol within three to four weeks.
During this period, you may notice redness, peeling, and dryness, but these symptoms should gradually lessen as your skin builds tolerance to retinoic acid, the active form of retinol.
If side effects persist beyond a month or worsen significantly, consider switching to a lower concentration of retinol or discontinuing use altogether.
In such cases, seek advice from a healthcare professional to prevent lasting damage.
Hydrating While Using Retinol: Should You Use Hyaluronic Acid?
Yes! Hyaluronic acid is an excellent companion to retinol. It’s a natural humectant, meaning it attracts and retains water in the skin, helping to counterbalance retinol’s drying effects.
Using a serum or moisturizer rich in hyaluronic acid can strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier and reduce irritation.
Many skincare enthusiasts recommend applying hyaluronic acid before retinol to create a hydrated base, or layering it on afterward for extra hydration.
Either way, it’s a win-win for skin health.
Can You Layer Serums Over Retinol?
You can, but with caution. Avoid serums containing potentially irritating ingredients such as:
Salicylic acid
Glycolic acid
Other chemical exfoliants or peels
These ingredients can compound retinol’s drying and irritating effects.
When layering multiple products, apply from the thinnest to thickest consistency to allow proper absorption and prevent barriers that block active ingredients.
The “Retinol Ugly”: What Is It and How to Handle It
The term “retinol ugly” refers to the temporary worsening of skin condition — redness, flaking, itchiness — when first using retinol.
This reaction is a normal sign your skin is renewing itself, but it can feel discouraging.
To ease this phase:
Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers.
Avoid harsh exfoliants or irritants.
Keep sun exposure to a minimum and always use sunscreen.
Use barrier-repair ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide to calm and restore the skin.
Remember: the “retinol ugly” usually lasts no more than 3-4 weeks. After that, your skin should look clearer, smoother, and healthier.
Additional Tips for a Smooth Retinol Experience
Don’t Mix Retinol With Vitamin C at Night: These ingredients work better when used at different times or on alternate days to avoid irritation.
Listen to Your Skin: If your skin feels overly irritated, cut back on frequency or concentration.
Stay Consistent: The benefits of retinol come with regular use over months, not days. Be patient and persistent.
Summary
Retinol is a transformative skincare ingredient, but it requires patience and proper care during the adjustment phase.
By introducing retinol gradually, hydrating your skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, protecting your skin from the sun, and avoiding harsh products, you can minimize discomfort and maximize results.
With the right approach, your skin will emerge stronger, more radiant, and more youthful — making all the temporary challenges well worth it.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
