How often should I use retinol?

How do I build up to nightly use?

Every three nights is a cautious starting point; every other night is another common starting schedule. Keep the initial schedule for the first couple of weeks and monitor your skin before adding more applications. There is no fixed week when everyone should switch to nightly use: tolerance, not the calendar, determines when to increase.12

Choose the lowest strength or least intense retinol formula you can find. Over the counter retinol products do not have to disclose their percentage, which leaves the label plenty of room for adjectives. These schedules are general guidance for cosmetic retinol; prescription retinoids such as tretinoin should follow your prescriber's directions.34

How should I apply retinol?

1. 1Test a little retinol on a small area first. Wait a couple of days; if the area becomes very red or itchy, do not proceed with a full face application.
2. 2At bedtime, wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry. Avoid scrubbing.
3. 3Follow the product directions. General guidance is a pea sized amount spread in a thin layer over the whole face, keeping it out of your eyes, mouth and nose.
4. 4Finish with a facial moisturizer labelled noncomedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores.

When is the best time to use retinol?

Use retinol at night, before bed. Retinoids increase sensitivity to sunlight, so protect your skin during the day with shade, protective clothing and sunscreen. Choose broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. For sensitive skin, a sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is an option.34

What if retinol irritates my skin?

Dryness, redness, itching, burning and peeling can occur while your skin adjusts. Significant peeling or irritation is a reason to stop increasing applications, not a reason to push toward nightly use. With a prescription retinoid, ask your dermatologist before changing the amount, frequency or layering. They can recommend fewer applications, a smaller amount or moisturizer before the medication. Irritation does not automatically mean an allergy.145

If you already have very dry, sensitive or allergy prone skin, get advice before starting. Retinoids can worsen eczema through their drying effect. Avoid retinoids and ask a dermatologist about alternatives if you have substantial redness or inflammation. On darker skin, irritation can trigger dark marks, so start slowly and use moisturizer. Do not use retinol during pregnancy; ask your healthcare provider before using it while breastfeeding.356

How long before I see results?

Retinol is used to improve uneven tone, pigmentation and texture, which is a more useful job description than 'powerhouse'. Visible changes take several weeks, and improvements in wrinkles usually take several months.35

For topical retinoids used for wrinkles, improvements commonly become apparent after three to six months, with the best results taking six to twelve months. Cosmetic retinol is weaker and less effective for wrinkles than tretinoin. Acne treated with topical retinoid medicines can take twelve weeks or longer to improve. Keep using retinoids to maintain their benefits; a dermatologist can also prescribe a maintenance plan once acne is controlled.467