When to use retinol in your skincare routine

How do you use retinol in your skincare routine?

Before the first application, test a little retinol on a small area of skin. Wait a couple of days and check for redness or itching before adding it to your face routine. Follow the product's directions or your prescriber's instructions.4

1. 1Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat dry. Do not scrub while using retinol.
2. 2Wait 20 to 30 minutes after washing before applying the retinoid.
3. 3Spread about a pea sized amount in a thin layer across your face, avoiding your eyes, mouth and nose.
4. 4Finish with a moisturizer labeled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores.

If retinol is too drying, change the order: apply moisturizer immediately after washing, then apply the retinoid 20 to 30 minutes later. Moisturizer can go before retinol in this situation; the usual order is not a queue that skincare has to respect.5

How often should you apply retinol?

A cautious starting schedule is every third night. Every other night is another common starting schedule, but nightly use is something to build toward as your skin tolerates it. Watch for redness, significant peeling or irritation before increasing frequency. Choose the lowest strength or least intense formula you can find rather than starting with the strongest option. There is no standard requirement for retinol percentages to appear on cosmetic product packaging.23

What does a skincare routine with retinol look like?

Choose sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum protection and water resistance. Apply it after your other skincare and before makeup, 15 minutes before going outside. Use shade and protective clothing too. Vitamin C belongs after cleansing in the morning and does not replace sunscreen.15

Limit new products while introducing retinol. Too many drying toners, serums or exfoliants can add irritation, and overusing exfoliants can damage the skin barrier, the protective outer layer.156

How long before you see a difference?

Expect several weeks before the look and feel of your skin improves. Fine lines and dark spots can take several months. Acne can still appear during the first couple of months, and breakouts sometimes look worse initially. Keep the routine consistent unless a product irritates your skin; frequently changing products makes it harder to see progress.45

Who should be careful or avoid retinol?

Retinol is a type of retinoid, the family of vitamin A based skincare ingredients. Retinoids suit concerns such as mild fine lines, uneven pigmentation and mild acne, but skin allergies, dryness or substantial redness call for more caution. Irritation can trigger dark marks in darker skin. Do not use retinoids during pregnancy. Ask your healthcare provider before using retinol while breastfeeding. For prescription retinoids, follow your prescriber's application instructions.34

Dryness, peeling, redness, itching and burning can occur. Stop a product that irritates your skin and arrange a dermatologist appointment rather than pushing through it. For acne, seek medical help if spots are deep, painful, causing scars or not improving with treatment at home.17