Using Retinol for Acne: Tips for Clearer Skin

How To Use Retinol In Your Acne Routine

Retinol is a retinoid, which is a common blanket term for a number of compounds all of which are derived from vitamin A. Retinol promotes skin renewal, reduces breakout and blemishes, improve skin tone and texture and combats signs of ageing. It’s no wonder the popularity of this skin ingredient has sky-rocketed in recent years. Having said this, retinol was first patented as an acne treatment by dermatologists back in 1967, meaning it has played an important role in the skincare development for over 50 years. You can find out more about the skincare benefits of retinol over on our website.

Adding retinol to your skincare routine will help combat many skin concerns, especially if you find yourself suffering from frequent breakouts and acne. Let’s find out more about how to use routine in your acne routine.

How do you use retinol in a skincare routine?

When it comes to using retinol in your skincare routine, always remember that slow and steady wins the race! Your skin needs to build a tolerance towards the potent ingredient to avoid any reactions such as rashes, flakiness and other irritations. Here are the main key points to remember when using retinol in your daily routine;

Start with the lowest percentage to avoid skin irritation

Apply retinol once a week to begin with to build the skin’s tolerance

Always apply retinol in your evening routine as UV exposure evaporates the ingredient’s potency

Avoid the mouth, eyes and neck when using retinol as these areas have thinner skin and are more likely to be sensitive

If you have a very sensitive skin type you must ask for advice from a doctor to ensure you are safe to use retinol

Always ensure you apply an SPF to the skin the following morning, even on overcast and cloudy days

If you are finding the strength of your over the counter product is not having much effect, seek the help from a professional for a prescription concentrate

If you are feeling unsure or nervous about introducing retinol into your skincare routine consult a dermatologist for more advice

If you are wanting to know more about the various percentages of retinol available you can find out more about which strength of retinol would work best for you.

How do you use retinol for acne?

Retinol and other retinoids are a key ingredient to combating acne. Unlike other blemish-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide that work at killing spot causing bacteria and exfoliating away dead skin cells, retinol works from the inside out. Retinol penetrates deeply into the lowers of the skin and combines to the nuclear receptors, which are in charge of all functionality of the skin, from cell turnover to collagen production. This results in retinol having the ability to help treat all forms of blemishes and acne, especially if you team it with a skincare routine enriched in high quality ingredients. We have shared with you some advice on the best skin ingredients to use to treat acne in a dedicated blog post.

The following are the key benefits of using retinol for acne;

Retinol work further down the skin compared to other blemish-fighting ingredients

Retinol is able to slough away the build-up of dead skin cells making the skin appear brighter and more glowing

Retinol can unclog pores of any build of bacteria, excess sebum and debris that can develop into active spots

Retinol tightens pores resulting in an even looking complexion and preventing any future breakouts

Retinol boost collagen production giving the skin an even texture and acne scarring visibly reduced

Retinol is packed with antioxidants allowing the skin to protect itself from any environmental aggressors such as UV exposure and pollution

There you have the key benefits of treating the skin and addressing any blemishes. The powerhouse status of retinol and its ability to benefit the skin in many ways makes it one of the most effective skin ingredients allowing you to give your regime a boost in improving your skin’s health and appearance.

Can you put retinol on open acne?

Though this may sting a little, applying retinol to open acne should not have any negative effects on the skin. That is taking into consideration that you have previously used retinol and your skin has become used to the percentage of the product. It may not provide overnight miracle results you were hoping for, you will find any active spots will be significantly reduced in size and redness.

Do you put retinol on before or after moisturiser?

This really depends on the product and the formulation containing the retinol. For example, is it is a treatment serum it is best to apply it before a moisturiser as it allows the serum to seep into the skin. The easiest way to remember which product should be applied first is on the thickness of the formula, starting with lightweight gels to heavier creams as this won’t overload the skin and allow the products and the ingredients to target the correct areas of the skin.

How long does it take for retinol to clear acne?

Depending on the level of concentrate of retinol you are using, you can expect to see the beginning of the results after 6 weeks and an overall improvement after 10 weeks. This is reliant of the continuous application of the retinol, for example if you apply retinol 2-3 times a week you will see a difference quicker than using it once a week. As previously mentioned introducing retinol into your routine takes some time and should be applied correctly to the skin to avoid any irritation and other skin reactions to occur.

Does retinol make acne worse before it gets better?

Retinol is a highly potent and effective skincare ingredient that started as an acne treatment, this means it should not cause any acne or blemish concerns to get worse. If you are finding your skin has not had any improvement or find you are suffering from more breakouts than it may be a case of taking a look at the formula of the product. Over the counter products generally have a lower percentage of vitamin A in them compared to medical grade level products. If you are wanting to up the ante at clearing the skin from spots then consulting a dermatologist for a prescription product would be the next step to take when using retinol in your acne skincare routine.

I hope this has helped clear up a few questions you have about using retinol in your daily routine, don’t forget to get in touch with us on our Instagram if you have any further questions!

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.

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