What can you do to improve your skin while you’re waiting for retinol to work?
We love retinol, and it does exactly what it says on the tin. The downside: Even though it’s effective, it can make your skin look worse for a short period of time before it gets better.
If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, this is a common side effect that occurs when you first incorporate retinol into your routine. Skin looks 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, and that’s what we’re talking about in today’s blog post. So if you want to learn more about what you can apply to improve your skin while you’re waiting for retinol to work, stay tuned.
Don’t forget: If you want to learn more about retinol and how it works, you can find a series of retinol blog posts here at The Beauty Insiders.
How do I make retinol more effective?
The best way to increase the effectiveness of retinol is to apply it properly to your skin. Many people often feel like 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 product, you need to slowly introduce it into your daily routine. If you are new to retinol and have not yet incorporated it into your daily routine,
Here are examples of the most effective ways to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Start by applying retinol to your skin once a week. Once your skin has developed tolerance, you can increase the frequency of use to twice a week and then up to three times a week. Be sure to use retinol products at night, as sun exposure can reduce their effectiveness.
After using retinol products, use a serum or moisturizer rich in hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to counteract the drying effects of retinol.
Granted, using retinol most effectively requires a lot of patience and time, but if you follow my advice, you will be amazed at the results.
How do I prepare my skin for retinol?
As mentioned earlier, the way you use retinol affects its effects on your skin. Now, I will explain to you the best practices for incorporating retinol into your daily skincare routine.
Here’s an example: Everyone’s skin is different. Therefore, if you have any questions about incorporating retinol into your daily routine, you should consult your doctor or dermatologist to avoid serious irritation and reactions.
Step 1: Make sure your skin is clean and free of makeup or other skincare products.
Step 2: Wait until your skin is completely dry before applying retinol products. This is important because applying retinol to damp skin can cause it to penetrate too deeply and lead to increased irritation.
Step 3: Apply a pea-sized amount of retinol to your face and work it into your skin using circular motions.
Step 4: Once the retinol has been absorbed, apply a moisturizer with hydrating ingredients.
Step 5: Always apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen in the morning to protect your skin from the sun. This should be done daily, even if it looks cloudy or raining.
How long does it take for your skin to adjust to retinol?
You can expect your skin to take about three weeks to adjust to retinol. You’ll also notice that she’s also developing a certain tolerance to the retinoic acid during this time. During the initial stages of using retinol, you will
experience some degree of irritation, redness, peeling, and flaking.
Often referred to as “ugly retinol” (more on that later!), these side effects usually last no longer than three to four weeks. If you notice they last longer, you may need to switch to a formula with a lower
percentage to retinol. However, if the side effects persist, you must stop using the retinol product and consult a doctor or healthcare professional.
Should hyaluronic acid be used before retinol?
Yes, it is possible. It’s considered a good idea to keep the skin’s protective barrier strong and protect it from free radicals (like UV rays, pollution, and other environmental factors that cause long-term damage to the skin).
You’ll also find that hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant, attracting water to the surface of the skin and keeping it there, counteracting the drying effects of retinol.
If you want to learn more about using hyaluronic acid and retinol together, you can read a dedicated blog post that goes into more detail about how to use these powerful substances together.
Can serums be applied over retinol?
Of course you can, but keep in mind that it’s best to avoid serums with ingredients that can increase skin irritation. Avoid serums that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or other chemical peels. I mentioned this basic skin rule in a previous blog post, but it’s important to remember when going about your skincare routine.
To get the benefits of the active ingredients in different formulas, you should apply products in a consistency that works from thinnest to thickest.
This prevents a physical barrier from forming on the skin and prevents the active ingredients from penetrating the different layers of the skin. What’s ugly about retinol? “Retinol ugly” refers to a common side effect that occurs when you first introduce retinol into your skincare routine. These symptoms include skin redness, flaking, rash, itching, and flaking, among others. Every retinol user will experience these side effects to some degree, and they usually last up to three to four weeks.
