Article Overview
- Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is a topical retinoid alternative that is used to promotes skin cell renewal and collagen production to address a range of skin concerns. When used topically, it can help visibly reduce signs of ageing, manage blemishes and excess oil, visibly fade dark spots, while minimising oxidative stress. The best way to start using retinol is by gradually introducing a low concentration product to your routine, and slowly increasing the dosage and frequency as the skin acclimatises. Interested in adding retinol to your routine? Read on to learn more about what ingredients pair with this active ingredient, what ingredients to avoid and how different skin types should approach retinol.
WHAT IS RETINOL ?
A derivative of the vitamin A family, retinol is a topical, over-the-counter retinoid alternative to more potent prescription retinoids. Topical retinol is an effective ingredient for promoting skin cell renewal and faster skin cell turnover—a process that naturally slows as we age, helping to address a range of skin concerts, including fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and persistent breakouts.
HOW DOES RETINOL BENEFIT THE SKIN?
Due to its ability to promote the skin’s natural cell turnover, retinol boasts a number of skin concerns. Regular topical retinol can visibly reduce signs of skin ageing, reduce blemishes, visibly fade dark spots, and helps reduce oxidative stress on the skin.
- Visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles: Retinol’s ability to promote skin cell renewal and speed up skin cell turnover helps to smooth out fine lines and visibly fade deep wrinkles.
- Reduce blemishes and post-blemish marks: Retinol speeds up skin cell renewal to help control excess oil production and reduce pimples and post-blemish marks.
- Visibly fades dark spots: By promoting skin cell turnover and revealing fresher skin, retinol serums and creams help to visibly fade dark spots and uneven skin tone for a smoother, more even complexion.
- Antioxidant: Environmental aggressors expose our skin to free radicals. Over time, free radicals contribute to cellular damage and accelerate skin ageing, small molecules of retinol are able to penetrate deeply to reach the skin's dermis layer to reduce this oxidative stress.
- Promotes collagen and elastin production: Retinol also helps boost elastin and collagen production, which also naturally decrease with age. Collagen is responsible for the skin's elasticity and suppleness, and using retinol can help improve the appearance of uneven skin texture and tighten loose, sagging skin.
- Peptides: Peptides are another popular anti-ageing skincare ingredient that helps with fine lines, wrinkles and skin elasticity by promoting collagen and elastin production.
HOW TO USE RETINOL
Retinol can be found in the form of a retinol serum, cream, or moisturiser in various concentrations to suit different skin needs. Most retinol products are formulated for regular, daily use, after cleansing and followed by a hydrating moisturiser. Though a milder form of vitamin A, retinol is still a strong ingredient, which is why you should take caution when introducing it to your skincare routine.
HOW OFTEN TO USE RETINOL
SkinCeuticals always recommends a “low and slow” approach to help minimise signs of irritation from retinol. This means starting with a low concentration product that you slowly add to your daily routine. Start using retinol 2-3 times a week and gradually increase frequency to once a day.
Retinol for beginners
For beginners, start with a low concentration and introduce retinol two-to-three times a week. Gradually increase usage to every night as the skin develops a tolerance. A retinol product with a concentration of 0.3% are best for beginners and sensitive skin types.
Retinol for intermediate users
If your skin has acclimatised to using the lower concentration every night you can move up to a higher concentration. Follow up a concentration of 0.3% to one of 0.5%, but follow the same process as the lower dose– revert to applying 2-3 times a week, gradually increasing frequency as your skin allows.
Retinol for experienced users
For experienced retinol users, you can opt for a stronger formula of 1.0% retinol, following the same process of starting with 2-3 times a week and gradually increasing frequency. The 1.0% retinol formula should only be used after pre-conditioning with 0.3% and 0.5%.
HOW MUCH RETINOL SHOULD I USE?
You only need to apply a thin layer of retinol over your entire face and neck. A pea-sized amount should do. Dispense first onto your fingertip, then dot it around the forehead, cheeks, and chin for even coverage, before gently rubbing in.
When to use retinol in my skincare routine
It’s best to apply retinol at night, after cleansing and toning, and before other serums or moisturisers. Allow the retinol to be fully absorbed before applying other skincare products. Always follow up a retinol product with a hydrating moisturiser to prevent irritation, and avoid retinol around the sensitive eye area. Retinol increases sun sensitivity, making a daily, high SPF sunscreen essential.
WHAT INGREDIENTS PAIR WELL WITH RETINOL?
Retinol can be combined with a number of ingredients to enhance its skin benefits. You can pair a retinol serum with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and ceramides.
- Hyaluronic acid: As retinol begins to work on skin, quickened cell renewal starts to occur. To support your skin throughout the process, using retinol with hyaluronic acid is recommended. Our HA Intensifier Multi-Glycan Hyaluronic Acid Serum deeply hydrates skin, helping to promote optimal moisture levels.
- High SPF sunscreen: Even low retinol concentration for beginners can increase skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. To ensure skin stays protected from external stress, broad spectrum sunscreen should accompany retinol usage.
- Niacinamide: Niacinamide is a well-tolerated ingredient used to address uneven skin tone and support the skin moisture barrier by supporting the absorption of essential lipids. This ingredient can help comfort the skin after using retinol, as well as help to visibly fade dark spots.
- Ceramides: Because retinol can dry the skin and increase sensitivity, ceramides make a great pairing to strengthen the skin moisture barrier and minimise dryness.
- Peptides: Peptides are another popular anti-ageing skincare ingredient that helps with fine lines, wrinkles and skin elasticity by promoting collagen and elastin production.
INGREDIENTS TO AVOID COMBINING WITH RETINOL
- Vitamin C: Although both retinol and vitamin C are popular in anti-ageing routines, using them together can be too aggressive for the skin, potentially causing increased sensitivity and irritation. If you're keen to use vitamin c and retinol as part of your skincare routine consider applying vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night or use them on alternate days.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) & Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): These widely used chemical exfoliants (such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid) clear away excess sebum and dead skin cells to reveal smoother skin. But when used in tandem with retinol can exacerbate skin sensitivity. If you need to use retinol and a chemical exfoliant, apply on alternate nights to minimise irritation.
- Benzoyl Peroxide: Often used on blemish-prone skin, benzoyl peroxide can oxidise retinol, making it less effective. Using the two simultaneously can cause excessive drying and skin irritation.
USING RETINOL FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES
A retinol serum or cream can be beneficial for a variety of skin types, but how it's introduced, and the concentration used, can vary from one skin type to another:
- Sensitive skin: If your skin is particularly sensitive, start with a lower concentration of retinol and use less frequently, perhaps once a week. You can also try using a short contact method initially, washing off the retinol after 30–60 minutes instead of leaving on overnight. Monitor your skin's reaction and adjust usage accordingly.
- Dry skin: Retinol can exacerbate dryness. If you have dry skin, ensure you're also using a deeply hydrating moisturiser. You might also consider using retinol less frequently.
- Oily and blemish-prone skin: Retinol can be beneficial for blemish-prone skin because of its ability to promote skin cellular turnover. However, be cautious when combining retinol with other blemish treatments to prevent excessive drying or irritation.
- Mature skin: There are ample skin benefits to using retinol on mature skin. However, as the skin also tends to become drier with age, hydration is especially important. Always follow retinol with a deeply hydrating moisturiser and consider adding a hyaluronic acid serum for further nourishment.
- Combination skin: If you have combination skin, monitor how different areas of your face react to the retinol. You might need to amend the location or frequency of application based on the differing response of oily versus dry areas.
RETINOL AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SUN PROTECTION
Retinol enhances skin cell turnover, meaning there are more fresh, new, cells on the skin surface. These new skin cells are particularly vulnerable to sun damage, which is why it's essential that you use a broad-spectrum, high SPF sunscreen daily to protect from UV rays. UV light can also degrade the potency of retinol, which adds to the necessity for sunscreen.
RETINOL DURING PREGRANCY AND WHILST BREASTFEEDING
High doses of oral vitamin A during pregnancy have been shown to be harmful to the foetus. As a vitamin A derivative, retinol is generally not recommended for use during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, always consult a healthcare professional about your skincare routine and the safety of the products you use.
HOW TO MINIMISE SKIN IRRITATION OR RETINOL BURN
Retinol serums and creams can cause dryness and skin irritation, especially after starting a new product. Here's our tips for minimising skin irritation when using retinol.
- Start with a low concentration product, introducing into your routine 1-2 times a week before increasing the frequency.
- For the first 2 weeks we recommend 'sandwiching' your retinol product between two layers of a hydrating moisturiser or serum to buffer the retinol. This is especially worthwhile for sensitive skin.
- If your skin reacts, try waiting 30 minutes after washing your face before applying retinol. Using retinol every second or third night to begin with, and slowly increasing the frequency, can help prevent irritation.
- If your skin needs a helping hand through the process of retinol pre-conditioning, Triple Lipid Restore Moisturiser is proven to shorten the adjustment period by up to one week, whilst reducing dryness thanks to a patented ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids.
- If you continue to experience discomfort, stop using the product and speak to a healthcare professional.
SKINCEUTICALS RETINOL PRODUCTS
SkinCeuticals offers a range of retinol products for the face at different concentrations. They also feature a delivery technology that ensures slow and steady release to minimise skin irritation and their packaging has been optimised to preserve active ingredient potency.
- Retinol 0.3 Anti-ageing Night Cream contains 0.3% pure retinol to promote cell turnover, improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, discolouration, pores and blemishes. This retinol cream is ideal for ongoing use or for conditioning skin prior to moving up to Retinol 0.5
- Retinol 0.5 Anti-ageing Night Cream contains 0.5% pure retinol, slowly and evenly released to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blotchiness, blemishes, and discolouration. Recommended for first-time users of retinol creams and ideal for continued use or for conditioning as a prerequisite to Retinol 1.0.
- Retinol 1.0 Anti-ageing Night Cream is ideal for ageing and sun-damaged skin that's been pre-conditioned using retinol 0.5 Formulated with 1.0% pure retinol and comforting chamomile-derived bisabolol to help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and discolouration, whilst minimising blemishes and the appearance of pores.
FIND OUT MORE
To discover the ideal retinol product for your own skin type and get advice about how to use retinol, use our online Routine Finder, or visit one of the SkinCeuticals Authorised Australian clinic locations.
Shop Featured Products
Retinol 0.3 Anti-Ageing Night Cream
Our concentrated retinol face cream uses pure retinol 0.3% to improve the appearance of visible signs of ageing and pores while minimising breakouts.
Tripeptide-R Retinol Neck Repair Cream
A corrective peptide retinol cream formulated to improve visible signs of ageing on the neck.
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Retinol 1.0 Anti-Ageing Night Cream
A high-concentration pure retinol 1% anti-ageing cream for experienced retinol users to refine the signs of ageing skin
Retinol 0.5 Anti-Ageing Night Cream
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 is a concentrated refining retinol night cream to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and skin discolouration
