Can sensitive skin use retinol?

Is retinol worth trying?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that helps prevent clogged pores and can improve fine lines. Retinol belongs to the wider retinoid family, which includes medicines such as tretinoin and adapalene. You can buy retinol without a prescription. Decide what you want to treat before adding another product, because "buy retinol" is a shopping plan rather than a skincare goal.12

How do you use retinol safely on sensitive skin?

1. 1Test a small amount on a small area first. Wait a couple of days and check for redness or itching before applying retinol more widely.
2. 2At bedtime, wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry. Do not scrub.
3. 3Follow the product directions. General retinol guidance is a thin layer, about a pea sized amount for the face, avoiding the eyes, mouth and nose.
4. 4Finish with a moisturizer. If you are treating acne, choose one labeled noncomedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores.
5. 5Begin once every few days. Increase gradually only as your skin tolerates it, rather than treating nightly use as a deadline.
6. 6Use sunscreen during the day and limit sun exposure. Retinol makes skin more sensitive to sunlight.

For a prescribed topical retinoid, follow your prescriber's directions instead of borrowing a cosmetic retinol schedule. Acne treatment often starts with two to three applications a week, increasing as tolerated. Apply the treatment across the affected skin rather than only to individual spots.13

Does the formula matter?

There are creams, gels, lotions, ointments and serums to choose from, because apparently one way to put something on a face was not enough, which adds a format decision before you even open the lid. Among prescribed topical retinoids, creams are the least irritating formulations. Adapalene is less irritating than tretinoin. Those differences are useful to discuss with your prescriber if tolerability is the main concern; they are not instructions to switch medicines yourself.12

Be careful with chemical peels

Retinol, tretinoin and adapalene can make a chemical peel penetrate more deeply and have a stronger effect. If you already use one of these, discuss an at home peel with a dermatologist before adding it. Sensitive skin needs particular care with peel testing and directions. A peel's test area instructions are separate from your retinol's instructions; do not substitute one for the other.4

What should you expect?

Visible retinol improvements take several weeks, and changes in wrinkles usually take several months, which gives the before photo plenty of time to become familiar. Prescription topical retinoids for acne can take 12 weeks or longer. Dryness, redness, peeling, itching and burning are possible side effects, not reasons to increase the amount or frequency. If irritation is substantial or persists, pause use and speak to a dermatologist rather than continuing to escalate.12

Who should get advice before starting?

Topical retinoids can worsen eczema through their drying effect. A known allergy to a retinoid or another ingredient in its formula is a reason not to use that product. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your healthcare provider before using retinol. Some topical retinoid medicines must not be used during pregnancy, so check the specific medicine with your prescriber.12