What are the side effects of using retinol?

Side effects of using retinol may include:
  • Redness.
  • Irritation.
  • Burning.
  • Itching.
  • Dry skin.
  • Flaking and peeling of the skin.
  • Increased sensitivity to the sun.
  • Skin cancer.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theskinspot.com


Can retinol damage your skin?

Using any form of retinol makes your skin more prone to sunburn. Sun damage combined with retinol burn is a recipe for redness or discoloration, inflammation, and more.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


What does retinol do to your face?

Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.harvard.edu


Is retinol harmful long term?

A report in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology concluded that retinoids are “suitable as long-term medications, with no risk of inducing bacterial resistance.” Another study tested the safety of tretinoin cream over 52 weeks and found no problems.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medshadow.org


Does retinol make you age faster?

No, it's not. It's just an adjustment process. For the record, no study proved that there's been any skin damage or signs of 'faster aging' caused solely by retinol.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on openformula.com


What Are the Side Effects of Retinol? | The Skin Spot



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.”
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Can I use retinol every night?

Retinol is best applied at night since it can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. When you do go outside, be sure to use sunscreen to protect your face. It's worth noting that you don't need to use retinol on a daily basis for it to effectively treat your acne. Even two to three times per week might be enough.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


At what age should I start using retinol?

What's the Best Age to Start Using Retinol? Generally speaking, I recommend most people start using retinol in their mid to late-20s, anywhere from 25-30. This is when collagen and elastin production starts to slow down, so it's the perfect time to start reaping the preventative-aging benefits retinol has to offer.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blog.reneerouleau.com


Can retinol make your 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bareskincare.com


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thelist.com


Should you 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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dearbrightly.com


When should I stop using retinol?

Discontinue use if you have negative side effects after a few weeks of use and contact your physician to help reassess your skin type and find a solution that will protect your skin barrier . Consider using moisturizing and soothing topical skin care products with retinol to counteract its negative side effects.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on oneskin.co


Does retinol damage eyes?

A number of side effects to retinoid treatment have been recorded; one group of such side effects relates to eyes and vision. Dry eye syndrome and blepharoconjunctivitis are the most common side effects, appearing in 20-50 % of patients treated with retinoids.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


Can I use retinol under my eyes?

Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on olay.co.uk


Do I need to wash retinol off in the morning?

Rouleau says the best time to use a scrub is in the morning. Overnight you've loosened up dead skin cells with your glycolic acid or retinol products, making the morning a perfect time to brush them off.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on byrdie.com


What can you not mix 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 skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol. As for benzoyl peroxide and retinol, they cancel each other out.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on instyle.com


Which retinol is best for beginners?

Which Retinoid Should A Beginner Use? You want a formula with at least 0.1% retinol, retinyl esters or retinaldehyde. I recommend that unless you have super sensitive skin – you can probably start with 0.5%.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on heysimply.com


Is 60 too old to start using retinol?

While retinol (or vitamin A) usage is encouraged by experts from your 30s onwards, if you want skin to appear more youthful, it's an absolute must in your 60s. With the post-menopausal reduction in DHEA, our skin sees a drastic reduction in collagen production and elastin, causing it to lose laxity and volume.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on whowhatwear.com


Does retinol tighten skin?

Engelman agrees: "Retinol is the most potent ingredient that helps build collagen and elastin, which leads to tighter, smoother skin."This mixture has the added bonus of hyaluronic acid, which "can smooth, firm, and tighten the appearance of the skin," Dr. Bowe says.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on townandcountrymag.com


How long should I leave retinol on my face?

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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on glamourmagazine.co.uk


What is retinol uglies?

According to Green, it's quite common for individuals to experience "uglies" when they first start using retinol. "These refer to the peeling, redness, and irritation symptoms that occur soon afterward as a result of your skin adapting to the new active ingredient.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on scarymommy.com


Does retinol affect hormones?

Retinol significantly decreased both hormone levels, however retinoic acid decreased the progesterone level only. In the second part of the experiments adolescent rats (in the 6th and 7th week after birth) were treated and measured similar to the newborns.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


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.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on harpersbazaar.com


Do celebrities use retinol?

They were the first to fall in love with retinoids.

But there have been many studies proving the benefits of retinoids — vitamin-A derivatives that speed up cellular turnover — and these glowing 40-and-over celebrities are now walking billboards for this magic ingredient.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cosmopolitan.com


Can I use retinol on my neck?

Apply topical retinoids

Retinoids, which are topical vitamin A-based derivatives, may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production. If you use retinoids on your face, extend the treatment area to your neck and chest at night. Retinoid products are available by prescription or over the counter.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com
Next question
Why V8 is better than V6?