Vitamin A, as in retinol and retinal, is skincare’s cream of the crop. But it can be very easy to misuse.
While I’m about to run you through some product precautions, you need to remember this is one of the most tested and effective ingredients out there. So don’t be scared. But don’t throw caution to the wind in the name of seriously transformed skin just yet.
Start Low
If you’re new to retinoids, never used them before, or are someone who has particularly dry and sensitive skin, lower strength retinoids are going to be your new best friend. Opt for a serum or cream that has a retinoid component between 0.01% and 0.03%.
Don’t be disheartened by these small percentages. You will still see an improvement in the skin.
Start Slow
This isn’t a go hard or go home-type of ingredient. Use your retinoid product alone (no other actives) for at least one week to see how your skin responds. Monitor for any irritation or increased sensitivity - immediately stop use if you do experience these side effects—then slowly start building tolerance.
A lot of retinoid serums, creams, cakes (no) suggest daily use for the most effective results. But we recommend introducing any product of this kind twice-weekly to start, then gradually increase the frequency of application.
Going too hard too soon has the potential to mess with your moisture barrier. And it can take months of nourishment to correct the congestion, dryness, flaking, and sensitivity that may flare up as a result of overdoing it with actives.
What about the purge?
Although it may share its name with a horror movie, the purge associated with retinoids is not nearly as scary. Thank god!
Any budding skintellectual has probably heard about the elusive purging period that comes with adding a retinoid into your routine. That very common, very frustrating breakout your skin experiences as it adjusts to this new ingredient.
Purging is just a temporary side effect of using vitamin A that actually proves it’s working. As retinal speeds up the cell turnovers of your face, it brings any underlying impurities or clogged pores to the surface—leading to a breakout.
Rest assured, purging usually only takes around four weeks and should eventually settle down. Find out more about purging over here.
What about eye products containing a retinoid?
“The best way to introduce an eye product (any eye product!) is at nighttime. It should be the first thing you apply to a cleansed face, before any other skincare product. That way you have created a barrier and nothing else can get under the eyes to cause irritation.” Explains Dermal Therapist, and Founder of Raw Skin Insider, Sieanna Pardi.
If after a patch test you are still a little worried about burning or irritation, you can ‘buffer’ or ‘sandwich’ your retinoid to begin with. Layering a moisturiser underneath (not a serum) (and definitely no actives) and over the top to soothe the eye area even more upon application.
“By applying at night, when eye movement is minimal, ingredients are able to get to work quicker too. You wake up feeling so fresh and snatched!”
Retinal Eye Serum Powered by the better and faster retinoid, Decrease is a retinal eye serum clinically proven to counteract signs of ageing and improve skin hydration.De-Crease
Vitamin A Face Serum Very Amazing Retinal is a powerful but gentle retinal serum clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin tone, texture and elasticity. Very Amazing Retinal
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