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!
