The Do's and Don'ts of Retinol

What is Retinol?

Retinol (Vitamin A) is part of a group called retinoids and is an ingredient commonly found over-the-counter skin care ingredients.

Retinol for acne

Retinol is a good ingredient to combat acne due to its ability to exfoliate the epidermis of the skin by removing dirt, dead skin cells and oil to prevent the formation of pimples.

Retinol for wrinkles 

Not only can retinol be used to treat acne, but it can also reduce signs of aging! The molecules are able to penetrate into the middle layer of the skin to stimulate the production pf collagen and elastin to minimise the appearance of pores, lines as well as scarring.

How to use retinol

When integrating retinol into your skincare routine, there are a few things to look out for in order to achieve the best results. 

1. Begin by using the retinol product once a week and slowly increase the frequency depending on how your skin reacts. This ensures that your skin does not become too irritated.

2. Retinol should be used on a consistent schedule for effective results 

3. Ensure that throughout the use of retinol, a sufficient amount of moisturiser is being applied in the morning and at night to replenish the moisture of the skin barrier.

Things to watch out for

1. Purging is a common and temporary side effect of using retinol as your skin adjusts to the increased cell turnover rate which is cause by retinol. This stage typically lasts two to four weeks and can be identified by an increase in breakouts and dryness.

2. Patch test - some people’s skin may react differently to retinol. Therefore, for those who have more sensitive skin, it may be beneficial to do a patch test on the skin to see if there are any allergic reactions.

3. Side effects such as dryness, itchiness, irritation and dryness are common when introducing retinol into a routine, though they should subside after a few weeks as your skin adapts to the new ingredient. 

4. Retinol is best used at night due to it increasing the skin’s sensitivity towards the sun. Ensure that you wear sunscreen to protect your face in order to minimise the risk of sun damage and darkening of scars.

5. Retinol should never be mixed with other strong ingredients such as Vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide and alpha/beta hydroxy acids. Mixing multiple active ingredients (especially those which are exfoliating) can dry out the skin and cause further irritation