The Foolproof Guide to Adding Retinol to Your Skincare Routine

Do I need to worry about the side effects of retinol?

The only downside of retinol is that there can be some side effects. Sun damage is the key one to remember. Retinol makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, so when using retinol products, it is paramount that you also use a high protection SPF every day, as the sun’s rays can damage skin more easily. As for irritation, when you begin using retinol you may experience mild redness, sensitivity and dryness with the first application, but not everyone does. We recommend slowly building up your tolerance by using retinol every two to three nights. Always follow with a calming moisturiser such as our Ultra Facial Cream. It's also important to adapt any other active ingredients in your routine on the night's you use retinol. We recommend avoiding using exfoliating acids such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid and other AHAs on retinol days. Stick to ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin E to help nourish the skin barrier.  

How do I add retinol to my skincare routine?

The serum step of your skincare routine in the evening is the best place to use your active retinol. Always apply a pea-sized amount to clean skin and wait a few minutes before applying a moisturiser on top to help counteract any dryness. Our Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is precisely formulated to deliver a daily-strength dose of pure retinol. The unique formula offers minimised likelihood of side effects including redness, dryness and peeling, so it’s great for all skin types including sensitive. It includes peptides and ceramides to help strengthen the skin barrier function and improve skin’s tolerance of pure retinol. Slowly build your tolerance of retinol by using it every other night to begin with. You can also try the sandwich technique: after cleansing apply a thin layer of a moisturiser, such as our Ultra Facial Cream, (which contains skin hydrating glacial glycoprotein and olive derived squalane), wait a few minutes, then apply your chosen retinol, wait a few minutes again and then sandwich with another thin layer of Ultra Facial Cream.

Retinol can encourage your skin to look smooth, radiant and younger-looking, but these results can take time. Stick with it for at least six weeks. If you don’t experience sensitivity, or you’re looking to target deep wrinkles, try our Retinol Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum. This powerful serum penetrates up to 15 surface layers deep into the skin and works to show a visible reduction of fine lines in as little as 5 days, and visible improvement in deep wrinkles in 2 weeks.