Retinol irritations…they’re so irritating, right?
You want the benefits of retinol. You know that it can help you achieve smoother, more youthful skin. But when you use it, you suffer redness, dryness, flakiness, stinging, and other irritations and side effects.
It’s so frustrating. You want the glowing complexion retinol promises, but these irritations can leave your skin looking anything but radiant.
In this article, we explain why you may suffer from some of the side effects and what you can do to lessen them, while still getting the benefits of your retinol or retinoid.
What Is Retinol or Retinoids?
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and a popular ingredient in anti-aging and acne treatments. It’s part of a broader family of retinoids—a class of medications and skincare ingredients derived from vitamin A. These include topical retinoids that you apply directly to the skin—like tretinoin, adapalene, and retinol—and oral retinoids that you take in pill form, like isotretinoin.
Retinol is an over-the-counter option that is converted to retinaldehyde and then into retinoic acid (the active form) within the skin. This slower conversion process makes it gentler on the skin compared to prescription retinoids, which are already in active form and act more aggressively.
Prescription tretinoin, for example, is already in active form and is more likely to cause irritation. Sensitive skin may still react to the gentler retinol form, however.
Retinol accelerates cell turnover, helping to slough off dead skin cells and reveal fresher, smoother skin. It also stimulates collagen production, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, fade hyperpigmentation, and improve skin texture.
Retinol is also used to help treat acne and related scarring, but severe acne is usually treated with a stronger prescription retinoid and other medications.
Common Retinol Irritations and Why They Happen
Even though retinol is a gentler version of retinoid, it can still cause irritations and other side effects in many people, even those with only slightly sensitive skin.
Common issues include:
- Dryness and peeling: As retinol speeds up cell turnover, the top layer of skin may become dry and flaky.
- Redness and irritation: Retinol can compromise the skin’s barrier, leading to inflammation and redness.
- Increased sensitivity: Skin may react more to environmental aggressors, like sunlight or harsh products.
- Retinol burns: Some people may experience a more intense irritation from retinol that resembles a sunburn, complete with redness, stinging, and tenderness.
You may experience these types of effects more than others, depending on your skin type, sensitivity, and the type of retinol you’re using.
Managing Retinol Irritations Without Losing the Benefits
Try these seven steps to help manage the irritations, dryness and flakiness and enhance the benefits of your retinol and retinoid treatment.
1. Start Slow and Low
When you start using retinol (or restart it after taking a break), begin with a lower concentration, such as 0.25 percent or 0.3 percent. Then, use it only once or twice a week. Give your skin time to adjust to the treatment. Over time, you can gradually increase the frequency as your skin learns to tolerate it.
2. Moisturize Generously
Hydration is key to minimizing retinol’s drying effects. Apply a rich, soothing moisturizer like our CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture after using retinol or retinoid. Dermatologists regularly recommend it to help soothe any irritation or inflammation while reinforcing your skin’s natural barrier. Antioxidant-rich and natural ingredients like plant ceramides and non-comedogenic emollients will help keep skin moisturized and free of flakiness, and will also tame redness and allow your skin to recover quickly.
3. Use the “Sandwich Method”
If you’re still struggling with irritations, try the “sandwich method.” Apply a layer of Calming Moisture first, then apply your retinol product. After that has dried, follow with another layer of Calming Moisture.
This technique reduces the likelihood of irritation by strengthening the skin barrier before and after applying retinol, and will allow you to still get the benefits without the side effects, helping to restore clear, smooth and radiant skin.
4. Incorporate Soothing Ingredients
Make sure you don’t have any other products in your skincare or makeup routine that are contributing to irritation. Check over the ingredients and make sure your products don’t have any of our Ingredients to Avoid. Then, add more products with calming and anti-inflammatory ingredients to your routine.
Our Rescue + Relief Spray, for instance, is an excellent option for soothing irritation, adding a boost of moisture, and cooling down sensitive areas. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it’s a good choice for acne prone skin. Daily use can help your skin adapt.
5. Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays, so using daily sunscreen while you’re using retinol is a must. Choose a broad-spectrum product with an SPF of 30 or higher, preferably with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main ingredients. Reapply as needed throughout the day, especially if you’re spending time outdoors.
6. Adjust Your Routine During Flare-ups
If you’re suffering from significant irritation, scale back your retinol usage. Skip a day or two and focus on repairing your skin barrier with gentle, nourishing care. Use a gentle, creamy cleanser, then apply our Rescue + Relief Spray as a toner, and follow with our Calming Moisture to help tame the inflammation and redness and promote healing.
7. Listen to Your Skin
Every skin type is unique. Pay attention to how your skin reacts and regularly adjust your routine accordingly. If one product or approach isn’t working, try another. Sometimes, it takes multiple adjustments before you find what works for you, so try not to get discouraged too quickly.
Retinol Irritations: Try Variations and Alternatives
If you try everything and your skin is still reacting to your retinol product, you can use a gentler retinoid form.
Options include:
- Retinyl palmitate: This is a milder, less irritating precursor to retinol.
- Bakuchiol: A plant-based alternative that mimics retinol’s effects without irritation.
- Encapsulated retinol: This delivery system allows retinol to penetrate the skin more slowly, reducing the potential for irritation.
The Role of CV Skinlabs in Managing Retinol Irritations
CV Skinlabs offers a range of products specifically designed to calm and repair irritated skin, making them ideal companions for retinol users:
- Calming Moisture: Hydrates and soothes dry, irritated skin while strengthening the barrier.
- Rescue + Relief Spray: Provides instant cooling and calming relief for redness and irritation.
- Restorative Skin Balm: A rich, healing balm that addresses peeling, drying, and sensitivity.
Retinol’s side effects can be frustrating, but they don’t have to stop you from enjoying healthier, more radiant skin. Start slow, moisturize generously, and incorporate products like CV Skinlabs into your routine to keep your skin comfortable and irritation-free.
How do you manage retinol irritations?
Featured image by KoolShooters via Pexels.
