Can a 21 year old woman use retinol for acne?

Is retinol the right acne treatment?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A sold without a prescription. For persistent acne, a doctor can offer topical retinoids, meaning medicines applied to the skin, such as adapalene or tretinoin. These reduce inflammation and oiliness and help prevent spots. A pharmacist can also help you choose acne treatments such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Retinol is an option, not the only starting point.13

How should you start using retinol?

1. 1Test a little retinol on a small area first. Wait a couple of days; do not proceed if the area becomes very red or itchy.
2. 2Use retinol at bedtime. Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your face dry without scrubbing.
3. 3Follow the package directions. General guidance is a pea sized amount in a thin layer across the face, avoiding the eyes, mouth and nose.
4. 4Start every other night for the first couple of weeks rather than using it nightly immediately.
5. 5Finish with a moisturizer labelled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Use sunscreen during the day and limit sun exposure.

How long does it take, and what if it irritates?

Visible improvement takes several weeks, and pimples can continue through the first couple of months. Acne can initially look worse. Retinol can also cause dryness, peeling, redness, itching or burning. Sensitive skin or a tendency to allergies makes retinol a less straightforward choice; consider alternatives with a healthcare professional.1

If an acne medicine irritates your skin, use smaller amounts and reduce application to every other or third day until your skin adjusts. Waiting 10 to 15 minutes after washing before applying acne medicines can also help. Do not treat worsening, painful acne as something you must simply endure: contact a doctor if acne gets worse or develops scars.2

What if you are pregnant or breastfeeding?

If you are pregnant, speak with your obstetrician or dermatologist before starting any acne treatment. Most experts recommend stopping adapalene and tretinoin during pregnancy. Tazarotene, isotretinoin and spironolactone must not be used during pregnancy because they can cause serious birth defects. Speak with your healthcare provider before using retinol while breastfeeding. Azelaic acid is thought to be safe during pregnancy and is an alternative to discuss.14

How can girls care for acne prone skin?

Wash gently twice a day and after exercising, without repeated washing or scrubbing. Remove makeup before bed, even if its packaging has talked it into a second career as skincare. Avoid rubbing alcohol and very drying toners. Do not pick or squeeze spots, because this can cause infection, delay healing and leave scars.25

Choose skincare and makeup labelled noncomedogenic, rather than treating the front of the bottle as a character reference. Stop using a product that makes your acne worse, including one with that label. A water based or noncomedogenic moisturizer can help with the drying and peeling caused by acne medicines.25

When should you see a doctor instead?

Get medical help for deep, painful spots, scarring, hot or swollen skin suggesting infection, or acne affecting your mental health. Book an appointment if self care and shop bought treatments have not helped after several months. You do not need to wait that long when acne is painful or scarring.235

For women with stubborn acne along the lower face, jawline or neck, hormonal treatment is another option to discuss. A dermatologist can assess whether a birth control pill or spironolactone suits your health and current medicines. These require a prescription and medical screening; the location of your spots alone does not decide the treatment.6