Does retinol go before or after moisturizer?

To apply a serum with retinol correctly, smooth it onto clean skin after you cleanse and before your moisturizer. Your serum will have a thinner consistency than your moisturizer, which is what determines the application order.
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Do you put moisturizer on before or after retinol?

Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.
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How long after retinol can I apply moisturizer?

Retinol (leave to absorb for 10-20 minutes)

“It is important to leave a 10-20 minute wait time before applying the next product. Retinols are powerful antioxidants and it is important to allow it to fully absorb if you want to avoid your skin becoming sensitive,” says Dr Liakas.
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Where does retinol go in routine?

You should always apply retinol in your evening skin care routine, not in the morning skin care routine, because light and sun inactivate retinol.
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What should I apply after retinol?

Owing to its potency, retinol products can make the skin more sensitive to the sun. Hence, always apply it at night. “In the morning, make sure you follow up your skincare routine with a face wash, vitamin C serum, under eye cream, moisturiser and then a sunscreen,” advises Dr.
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Should I put retinol on before or after moisturizer?



What step should retinol be?

You may be advised to use it after a moisturizer, which buffers the retinol and lessens risk of irritation. If it's a non-prescription retinol, apply it according to what type of product it is—a retinol moisturizer will act as the moisturizer step of your routine, while a retinol serum will act as the serum step.
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What is the proper way to use retinol?

How do you use retinol?
  1. Clean your skin with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. Don't scrub your skin while using retinol products.
  2. Apply retinol in a thin layer to your entire face (be careful not to get it in your mouth, nose and eyes). ...
  3. Finish with a facial moisturizer that won't clog your pores (non-comedogenic).
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Should I use Moisturiser after the ordinary retinol?

It's easy to add into a routine

Most retinol products are serums which would be applied post-cleanse and pre-moisturiser, but because this formula sees the retinol suspended in an oil, it should be the final step in your skincare routine, after moisturising.
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Does retinol need to dry before moisturizer?

Step 2: Wait a few minutes until your skin is completely dry. This is important, because if your skin is at all damp, the retinol will be able to absorb more deeply into your skin and might cause irritation. We want to apply moisturizers and serums to slightly damp skin, but never retinol.
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Can you put anything on your face after retinol?

Apply retinol in a thin layer to your entire face (be careful not to get it in your mouth, nose and eyes). You should use a dose that's about the size of a pea. For the first couple weeks of treatment, apply retinol only every other day. Finish with a facial moisturizer that won't clog your pores (non-comedogenic).
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What should I apply after retinol at night?

Perform the nighttime skincare routine as directed above. After applying retinol to your skin (while it's dry) allow it to sit for 10-20 minutes. Mist your face with water or a facial spray, and then apply your hyaluronic acid. (HA serums are most effective when they're applied to damp skin.)
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Do and don'ts with retinol?

Use Retinol Only at Night and Wear SPF Every Day

"Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays and sunlight decreases the efficacy of the product," explains Bowe, who instructs patients to only use retinoids at night and be diligent about applying a daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher during the day.
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What happens if I use retinol every night?

So if you start using retinol every day out of the gate, you can end up with some painful inflammation and a damaged skin barrier, negating any potential positives. One way to avoid that irritation is to start slow, explains Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston.
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When should I apply retinol to my routine?

At night, apply a pea-sized amount of your retinol product ideally 30 minutes after you've washed your face. "Start three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as dryness and peeling can be expected for four to six weeks," suggests Dr. Marchbein.
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What Cannot be mixed with retinol?

Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out the skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
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What to avoid after applying retinol?

"It is best to avoid other drying agents when using retinoids such as toners, astringents, and medicated cleansers. These products cause further irritation," mentioned Dr. Lipner.
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What should I pair with retinol?

Mix With Hyaluronic Acid

Similarly, pairing a retinoid with a hydrating hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer is another good combination, according to Dr. Rabach. Retinoids are great because they can help tighten pores, decrease oil production, and get rid of dead skin.
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At what age should you not use retinol?

There are no set rules on how old you should be to use retinol. For anti-aging purposes, you can start preventatively in your 20s. While over-the-counter retinol can help mild acne, many people with breakouts will need a prescription.
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What pairs well with retinol?

Niacinamide is also widely known to help protect the skin barrier and enhance hydration, and when used together with retinol, it counteracts retinol-induced dryness. In fact, if you like layering retinol with your serums, Dr. Mokaya says it's safe to do so with niacinamide.
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How do you layer retinol at night?

Follow these simple steps to easily add retinol to your nighttime skin care routine.
  1. Step 1: Cleanse Your Skin.
  2. Step 2: Layer Your Serums.
  3. Step 3: Finish With Moisturizer.
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Do you put serum before or after retinol?

Apply Vitamin C serums before applying retinol or a retinoids because: it is difficult for Vitamin C to penetrate into the skin. retinoid absorb easily.
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Can you put hyaluronic acid over retinol?

Yes, you can use hyaluronic acid with retinol together and it's perfectly safe to do so. In fact, using hyaluronic acid with retinol has synergistic effect on your skin because they complement each other.
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Can retinol make you look older?

“This will make your skin look older and accentuate wrinkles” — which is probably not what you're going for when you start using the stuff. And there's no question that retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.
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Can you skip a day of retinol?

Missing a dose of topical retinol should not impact the long-term results of your treatment. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as too much retinol can result in dry and flaky skin.
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