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 happens when you first incorporate retinol into your routine. Skin can look dry, red, flaky, and feel tight, itchy, and uncomfortable.
This happens to everyone when they first use retinol, but I understand wanting to avoid it, and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in today’s blog post. So if you want to learn more about what you can put on your skin to improve your skin while you’re waiting for retinol to work, stick around.
Don’t forget, if you want to learn more about retinol and how it works, there’s a whole series of retinol-related blog posts on The Beauty Insiders.
How can I make my retinol more effective?
The best way to increase the effectiveness of retinol is to make sure you’re applying it to your skin correctly. Many people often feel like they need to use retinol more often to get results quickly. The problem is that retinol doesn’t like to be rushed, and to reap the benefits of this powerful substance, you need to slowly introduce it into your daily routine. If you’re new to retinol and haven’t yet incorporated it into your daily routine, here’s an example of the most effective way to use it in your daily routine.
Start by applying retinol to your skin once a week.
Once your skin has developed some tolerance, you can increase the frequency of application to twice a week, and then up to three times a week.
Always use retinol products at night, as they lose their effectiveness when exposed to the sun.
After using retinol products, use a serum or moisturizer that’s rich in hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to counteract the drying effects of retinol.
Granted, using retinol in the most effective way requires a lot of patience and time, but if you follow the advice I’ve mentioned, you’ll be amazed at the results you see.
How do I prepare my skin for retinol?
As I mentioned before, the way you use retinol affects how it works on your skin. Now I’m going to tell you the best routine to follow when incorporating retinol into your skincare routine. Here’s an example: Everyone’s skin is different. Therefore, if you have any questions about introducing 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 any residue from makeup or other skincare products.
Step 2: Wait until your skin is completely dry before applying a retinol product. This is important because using retinol on damp skin can cause it to penetrate too deeply into the skin 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, follow up with a moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients.
Step 5: Always apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 and above every morning to protect your skin from the sun. This should happen every day, even if it looks 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 also notice that she also builds up a certain tolerance to retinoic acid during this time. In the early stages of using retinol, you will experience some degree of irritation, redness, peeling, and flaking. These side effects are often referred to as the “retinol ugly” (more on that later!), and they don’t usually last more than three to four weeks. If you notice them lasting longer, you may want to consider switching to a formula with a lower percentage of retinol. However, if side effects persist, you must stop using your retinol product and seek help from your 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 aggressors that can cause long-term damage to your 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, there’s a dedicated blog post that goes into more detail on how to use these powerful substances together.
Can serums be applied over retinol?
Yes, of course, but keep in mind that it’s best to avoid serums that contain ingredients that can increase skin irritation. Avoid serums that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or other chemical exfoliants.
I’ve mentioned basic skin rules in previous blog posts, but it’s important to take this into account when applying your skin care routine. In order to reap the benefits of the active ingredients contained 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 Retinol Ugly?
“Retinol Ugly” refers to the common side effects that occur when you first incorporate retinol into your skincare routine. These symptoms vary from redness, flaking, and rashes to itchy and flaking skin. Every retinol user will experience these side effects to some degree, and they usually only last for three to four weeks at most.
There you’ll find more information on how to improve your skin while you’re waiting for your retinol to kick in. If you have any other skincare questions, follow us on Instagram or reach out to me in DMs!
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.
