What Can You Use on Skin to Make Better While Waiting for Retinol to Work?
We love retinol, it really does do exactly what it says on the tin. The downside, as effective as it is, for a short time it can make your skin look a lot worse before its better. If you’re unsure what it is I’m talking about, the is a common side effect that occurs when you first introduce retinol into your daily routine. The skin will begin to look dry, red, and flaky, and will feel tight, itchy, and uncomfortable.
This is something that happens to everyone when first using retinol, but I understand how it’s something you’d want to avoid which is exactly what we will be discussing in today’s blog post, so stick around if you want to know more about what you can use on skin to make better while waiting for retinol to work.
Don’t forget if you are wanting to know more about retinol and how it works, there are a number of retinol related blog posts over on The Beauty Insiders.
How can I make retinol more effective?
The best way of making your retinol more effective is by ensuring you are applying it to the skin in the correct way. Many often feel that they need to use retinol more frequently to gain rapid results. The problem with that is that retinol does not like being rushed, and to reap the rewards of this potent powerhouse is to introduce it into your routine slowly. If you are new to retinol and haven’t added it into your routine, here is an example of the most effective way of using it in your everyday regime.
Start by applying retinol to the skin once a week.
Once the skin has built some tolerance you are able to increase to two applications a week, you can then increase this to the maximum of 3 times a week.
Always apply your retinol product in the evening as exposure to sunlight will make it lose its potency.
Follow your retinol product with a serum or moisturiser enriched in hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid to help counteract the drying effects of retinol.
Admittedly, it takes a lot of patience and time to use retinol in the most effective way, but you’ll be amazed with the results you see if you follow the advice I have mentioned.
How do I prepare my skin for retinol?
As I have previously mentioned, the way you apply retinol will affect how it works on the skin. I’ll now share with you the best routine to follow when you incorporate retinol into your skincare routine. This is an example, everyone’s skin is different so if you have any concerns with introducing retinol into your routine, you should seek the help from your doctor or dermatologist to avoid any severe irritation and reactions.
Step one: Ensure your skin is cleansed and clear of any remaining traces of makeup or other skincare products.
Step two: Wait for your skin to become completely dry before applying your retinol product. This is important as applying retinol to damp skin will result in it penetrating too far into the skin and causing increased irritation.
Step three: Apply your retinol onto the face using a pea-sized amount and working it into the skin in circular motions.
Step four: Once the retinol is absorbed follow this with a moisturiser containing hydrating ingredients.
Step five: Come the morning, always apply a daily SPF of 30 and above to protect the skin from sun exposure. This should happen every day, even when it appears overcast and raining.
How long does it take for skin to adjust to retinol?
You can expect it to take roughly three weeks for the skin to adapt to retinol, you’ll also find that it would have built some tolerance to the retinoic acid during this time also. During the early stages of retinol application that you’ll experience some level of irritation, redness, peeling, and flaking. These side effects are often more commonly known as retinol uglies, (but more on those later!) and generally don’t last longer than a more three for four weeks. If you do find that they are remaining for a longer amount of time it may be a case of switching to a formulation containing a weaker percentage of retinol. If however, the side effects persist, you must stop using your retinol product and seek the help from a doctor or medical professional.
Should hyaluronic acid be applied before retinol?
Yes, it can be, this is considered a great idea to keep the protective skin barrier strong and able to protect itself from exposure to free radicals, such as UV rays, pollution, and other environmental aggressors that can cause long term damage to the skin. You will also find that hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant drawing water into the skin surface and locking it into place combating the drying effects of retinol.
If you wanted to know more about using hyaluronic acid and retinol together, there is a dedicated blog post that goes into a lot more detail about using these powerhouses together.
Can you put serum on top of retinol?
Yes absolutely, just bearing in mind it’s best to avoid serums containing ingredients that will cause increased skin irritation. Avoid using serums containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid or any other chemical exfoliants.
I have mentioned the basic skin rule in previous blog posts, but it is something that needs to be considered when applying your skincare routine. To reap the rewards of the active ingredients found in various formulations you should apply your products from the thinnest to thickest consistency. This stops any physical barriers forming on the skin and prevents the active ingredients from penetrating into the different skin layers.
What is retinol uglies?
Retinol uglies is the name given to the common side effects that occur when you first introduce retinol into your skincare routine. These can be a variety, from redness, flaking, rashes, itchy and flaking patches of skin. Every user of retinol experiences a certain degree of these side effects, and they generally only last a maximum of three to four weeks.
There you have a little more information about how to make your skin better whilst waiting for retinol to work. If you have any more skincare questions, come and follow us on Instagram, you can find me in the direct messages!
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.
