Does retinol make your skin worse before it gets better?

Retinol has become the gold standard for treating all sorts of skin conditions from acne to signs of aging, but there's one problem: In most cases, it makes things worse before it makes them better.

Does skin get worse before it gets better with retinol?

You might also get more breakouts once you start using retinoids. Keep calm and stick with it. “It's common to see acne get worse before it gets better, as the retinoids can cause a mass 'purge,'” says Robinson. Basically, as skin cell turnover increases, new clogs rise to the top.

How long does purging last with retinol?

Applying retinol is a long-term treatment which promotes fresh skin, fewer blemishes and reduction in acne breakouts. Whereas in the short term, it can lead to acne breakouts, skin peeling, dryness, and a range of other frustrating temporary outcomes. The purge phase usually lasts for two to six weeks.

Why does my skin feel rough after using retinol?

Topical retinoids, such as Tretinoin, speed up the skin cell turnover cycle, ridding of the old layer of skin faster than usual. This causes your skin to become dry and flakey, as your skin purges and peels to become accustomed to the retinoid.

How long does it take for retinol to improve?

Generally, it takes a few weeks to see results, but some OTC options may require months of regular use. Most dermatologists said you'll need to use retinol for a few weeks before you see results, but you should see improvements by 12 weeks with most products.

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What does retinol purging look like?

Unfortunately, this process often makes the skin look worse before it looks better. Skin purging often includes increased breakouts, redness, and dryness. Certain ingredients like retinoids and hydroxy acid can cause this effect. There are several ways to manage the symptoms of a skin purge until it resolves.

How do you know retinol is working?

While prescription-strength retinoids may have an effect in a matter of weeks, it can take up to 6 months for OTC retinols to produce the same results. You may notice a difference in conditions like acne after 12 weeks, but sun damage and signs of aging can take much, much longer to improve.

What does retinol irritation look like?

Despite dermatologists describing retinol as a skin-care star, it can come with an unpleasant side effect: retinol burn. Also known as retinol irritation, it's essentially what happens when your face can't tolerate the powerful ingredient and subsequently devolves into a flaky, peeling, red mess.

Can retinol make wrinkles worse?

First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.

Can retinol damage your skin?

Incorrect retinol usage can cause drying, flaking, shedding, redness, and irritation of the skin as well as exacerbated acne. Retinol will also increase skin sensitivity to UV rays.

How do you know if retinol is not for you?

Retinol might not be a fit for those with overly sensitive or hypersensitive skin, those who have food intolerances or high allergic reactions, and young skin, she says. “Caution is necessary when using any vitamin A derivatives and should only be used after advice from your derm or skin care specialist,” Joss says.

What does purging skin look like?

Skin purging typically looks like tiny red bumps on the skin that are painful to touch. They are often accompanied by whiteheads or blackheads. It can also cause your skin to become flaky. The flare ups caused by purging have a shorter lifespan than a breakout.

Does everyone purge on retinol?

The “retinol purge” is extremely normal: here's why you shouldn't worry about dry, flaking skin. The retinol purge (also known as skin purging) is a natural part of using vitamin A. Retinol (also known as vitamin A) can be game-changing for your skincare routine.

Can retinol cause purging?

"Skin purging happens when new ingredients, like retinol, promote increased cell turnover, which causes clogging and worsening breakouts. This is particularly the case as oil and debris that is trapped deeper underneath the skin comes to the surface," explains board-certified dermatologist Michele J.

How long does skin purging last?

Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen. If your purge lasts longer than six weeks, consult your dermatologist. It could be that you need to adjust the dosage and/or frequency of application.

Is my skin purging or reacting?

What does it look like? Distinct, acne-like bumps may be purging. However, if you're noticing welts, diffuse redness, or anything resembling a rash, stop what you're doing. Inflammation is a sign of reaction and generally appears as all-over redness rather than individual, blemish-like spots.

How do I know if my retinol is too strong?

“If you're overusing your retinol, or if you're using a retinol that's too strong for you, it can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness, which may have led to retinol's association with skin thinning,” she says.

Should I use retinol everyday?

Retinol can be used every day but needs time to work

After you've built up your skin's tolerance to retinol, it's perfectly safe to use every day. Even users in their 20s can see improvements to their skin when retinol is part of their daily routine.

Does retinol thicken skin under eyes?

Retinol, a popular derivative of vitamin A, is loved by many for its exceptional anti-aging properties that eliminate fine lines and wrinkles and renew the skin to make it plump and younger-looking. It also boosts collagen production, which will work wonders for thickening up your undereye skin.

Should I put moisturizer over retinol?

Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.

Who should not use retinol?

Who should skip retinol? “Retinols can be a beneficial addition for most skin types, but it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach,” Panzica says. Board certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, MD, notes that “people with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea cannot tolerate really strong topicals like retinols.”

What happens when I stop using retinol?

You see, retinol impacts your skin's normal function, and when you stop it your skin has to re-learn how to regulate itself properly again. So typically when people stop using it they experience either bad acne or bad dryness for a few weeks afterwards.

What are the side effects of using retinol?

How do I stop retinol purging?

Adding a product containing niacinamide can also help to alleviate the effects of the purge. Niacinamide helps to reduce inflammation and brightens the skin, and it can work really well alongside tretinoin. Many people notice an immediate improvement in their skin tone when they start using niacinamide.