BEAUTY
What You Need To Know Before Using Retinol
By LESLIE LEON and STEPHANIE HARPER
Application
To start using retinol, you’ll want to test it on your skin first. To add this ingredient to your skincare routine, wash your face first, followed by eye cream, then apply retinol starting from your chin.
Use and Expectation
It is recommended to slowly incorporate retinol into your skincare routine, so you ensure not to irritate your skin. Prevention says that it will also take about 4 to 6 months to actually see the results of retinol and be aware of everything that can possibly cause irritation.
Other Skincare
You need to be aware that you can’t use retinol in conjunction with ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, glycolic acid toners, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), lactic acid, or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). If you want to exfoliate, make sure you do so on a day when you aren’t using retinol.
What To Look For
Everyday Health suggests opting for retinol creams or gels with .025%, .05%, or 0.1% concentrations. You will be able to see impressive results, but Modern Dermatology says it's best to start with products with the lowest concentrations before going to higher levels.
Side Effects
Some of the side effects of retinol include stinging, burning, uncomfortable sensations, and a red face. Other side effects can include itchiness, dryness, flakiness, peeling, scaling, acne outbreaks, increased sensitivity to sunshine, and, in the worst possible case, sun cancer according to Dr. Sheila Nazarian.