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How to Use Retinol in Acne Treatment
Skin Care

How to Use Retinol in Acne Treatment

23 August 2024


How to Use Retinol in Acne Treatment

Retinol is a retinoid, which is a general term for a number of compounds derived from vitamin A. Retinol promotes skin renewal, reduces breakouts and blemishes, improves skin tone and texture, and fights signs of aging. It’s no wonder that the popularity of this skin ingredient has skyrocketed in recent years. However, retinol was first patented by a dermatologist in 1967 for the treatment of acne, which means that retinol has played a major role in the development of skincare products for over 50 years. For more information on the benefits of retinol in skincare, visit our website.


Adding retinol to your skincare routine can help solve many skin problems, especially if you suffer from frequent breakouts and acne. Let’s learn more about how to use retinol in acne treatment.

How to Use Retinol in Your Skin Care Routine?


When using retinol in your skincare routine, always remember: slow and steady wins the race! Your skin must build up a tolerance to the active ingredient to avoid reactions such as rashes, flaking, and other irritations. Here are the key points to remember when using retinol in your daily routine:

Start with the lowest percentage to avoid skin irritation


Use retinol once a week at first to build up skin tolerance

Always use retinol in your daily regimen at night, as the effectiveness of the ingredient wears off due to UV exposure


Avoid your mouth, eyes, and neck when using retinol, as the skin in these areas is thinner and more susceptible to sensitivity

If you have a very sensitive skin type, you’ll want to consult your doctor to make sure you can use retinol safely


Always apply SPF sunscreen to your skin the next morning, even on cloudy and overcast days

If you find that the strength of over-the-counter products isn’t having much of an effect, consult a professional for a prescription concentrate


If you’re unsure or nervous about adding retinol to your daily skin care routine, consult a dermatologist for further advice

If you want to learn more about the different percentages of retinol available, you can learn more about which retinol strength is best for you.


How to Use Retinol for Acne?

Retinol and other retinoids are important active ingredients in the fight against acne. Unlike other acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, which kill acne-causing bacteria and remove dead skin cells, retinol works from the inside out. Retinol penetrates deep into the lower layers of the skin and binds to nuclear receptors that are responsible for all skin functions, from cell turnover to collagen production. This means that retinol can help treat all forms of blemishes and acne, especially when you combine it with a skincare routine rich in high-quality active ingredients. In a dedicated blog post, we share with you some recommendations for the best active ingredients for treating acne.


The main benefits of using retinol for acne are:

Retinol works deeper into the skin than other acne-fighting ingredients


Retinol removes the buildup of dead skin cells, making the skin look brighter and more radiant

Retinol clears pores that are clogged with bacteria buildup, excess sebum, and dirt that can develop into active breakouts


Retinol tightens pores, evens out skin tone, and prevents future breakouts

Retinol boosts collagen production, evens out skin texture, and visibly reduces acne scars


Retinol is rich in antioxidants, which protect the skin from environmental aggressors like UV radiation and pollution

These are the main benefits of treating the skin and treating blemishes. The powerful position of retinol and its ability to benefit the skin in a variety of ways makes it one of the most effective skin ingredients that will allow you to upgrade your routine and improve the health and appearance of your skin.


Can retinol be used to treat open acne?
Although it may sting a little, applying retinol to open acne will not have any negative effects on the skin. This takes into account that you have used retinol before and your skin is already accustomed to the percentage of the product. It may not bring the miracle results you were hoping for overnight, but you will notice that any active pimples become visibly smaller and less red.

Should retinol be used before or after moisturizer?

This really depends on the product and formula that contains retinol. For example, if it is a treatment serum, it is best to use it before moisturizer as this allows the serum to penetrate into the skin. The easiest way to remember which product to apply first is by the thickness of the formula. Start with a lightweight gel and then work your way up to thicker creams as this will not overload the skin and will allow the product and ingredients to target the correct areas of the skin.

How long does it take for retinol to clear up acne?

Depending on the concentration of retinol you use, you can expect to see results after 6 weeks and overall improvement after 10 weeks. This depends on the continued use of the retinol. For example, if you use retinol 2-3 times a week, you will notice a difference sooner than if you use it once a week. As mentioned before, introducing retinol into your daily routine takes time and should be applied to the skin correctly to avoid irritation and other skin reactions.

Does retinol make acne worse before it gets better?

Retinol is a highly effective and potent skin care ingredient that was originally developed to treat acne. This means that it will not cause acne or blemishes to get worse. If you find that your skin is not improving or that you are getting more breakouts than you thought, you may want to take a look at the product’s formula. Over-the-counter products generally have lower levels of vitamin A than medical products. If you want to better clear your skin of breakouts, you should next consult a dermatologist about prescription products if you use retinol in your acne skin care routine.
I hope this helps answer some of your questions about using retinol in your daily life. If you have any additional questions, don’t forget to reach out to us on Instagram!

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.
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