What can you use to improve your skin while you’re waiting for retinol to work?
We love retinol, and it does exactly what it promises. The downside: Even though it’s effective, it can significantly worsen your skin’s condition for a short time before it improves.
If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, this is a common side effect that occurs when you first start using retinol in your routine.
Your skin becomes dry, red, flaky, and feels tight, itchy, and uncomfortable.
This happens to everyone who uses retinol for the first time, but I know you want to avoid it. That’s exactly what we’re going to be talking about in today’s blog post.
So if you want to learn more about what you can use to improve your skin while you’re waiting for retinol to work, stay tuned.
If you want to learn more about retinol and how it works, you can find tons of blog posts about retinol here on The Beauty Insiders. How can I make retinol more effective?
The best way to make retinol more effective is to use it correctly. Many people think they need to use retinol more often to get quick results. The problem is that retinol can’t be applied quickly.
In order to reap the benefits of this powerful ingredient, you should slowly incorporate it into your daily skincare routine.
If you are using retinol for the first time and have not yet incorporated it into your daily regimen, here is an example of how to use it most effectively in your routine.
Initially, use retinol once a week.
Once your skin has developed some tolerance, you can increase usage to twice a week and then up to three times a week.
Always use retinol products at night, as sun exposure can reduce their effectiveness.
After using retinol, apply a serum or moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid to counteract the drying effects of retinol.
Admittedly, using retinol optimally requires a lot of patience and time, but if you follow my tips, you will be amazed at the results.
How do I prepare my skin to receive retinol?
As mentioned earlier, the way you use retinol affects its effects on the skin. Now I will show you the best way to incorporate retinol into your daily skincare routine.
This is just an example: everyone’s skin is different. If you’re concerned about using retinol in your daily routine, consult a doctor or dermatologist to avoid severe irritation and reactions.
Step 1: Cleanse your skin thoroughly to remove any residue from makeup or other skincare products.
Step 2: Wait until your skin is completely dry before applying your retinol product. This is important because retinol can penetrate too deeply on wet skin, which can increase irritation.
Step 3: Apply a pea-sized amount of retinol to your face and work it in circular motions.
Step 4: Once the retinol is absorbed, apply a moisturizer with hydrating ingredients.
Step 5: Always apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 in the morning to protect your skin from the sun. Do this every day, even if it’s cloudy and rainy.
How long does it take for your skin to adjust to retinol?
It takes about three weeks for your skin to adjust to retinol. You’ll notice that during this time, you’ve developed a tolerance to the retinoic acid.
When you first start using retinol, you may experience irritation, redness, peeling, and flaking.
These side effects are often referred to as retinol side effects (more on this later!) and usually last no longer than three to four weeks.
If this persists for a longer period of time, it is recommended to switch to a formula with a lower retinol content.
However, if the side effects persist, you should stop using retinol products and consult a doctor.
Should hyaluronic acid be used before retinol?
Yes, it is possible.
It makes sense to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and protect the skin from free radicals such as UV rays, pollution, and other environmental influences that can cause long-term damage to the skin.
Hyaluronic acid also has humectant properties, which can draw water to the surface of the skin and bind it, thus counteracting the drying effects of retinol.
If you want to learn more about the combination of hyaluronic acid and retinol, you will find a special blog post that describes the combination of these active ingredients in more detail.
Can serums be used in addition to retinol?
Yes, absolutely. However, keep in mind that serums with ingredients that cause skin irritation should be avoided. Avoid serums with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or other chemical exfoliants.
I mentioned this basic rule in a previous blog post, but it’s something you should keep in mind in your skincare routine.
To get the most out of the active ingredients in different formulas, apply the products in order of thinnest to thickest consistency.
This prevents a barrier from forming on the skin and prevents the active ingredients from penetrating the different skin layers.
What is Retinol Ugly?
Retinol side effects are common side effects that occur when first using retinol in your skincare routine. These symptoms vary and include redness, peeling, rashes, itchy and scaly skin.
Every retinol user will experience these side effects to some extent, and they usually only last three to four weeks at most.
Here’s more information on how to improve your skin while you’re waiting for your retinol to work. If you have any more questions about skincare, feel free to follow us on Instagram.
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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.
