Skincare

Being consistent with a skincare routine is the first step to having great skin. Next is identifying the best active ingredients that will help target your own specific skin concerns. Retinol is one of the most effective skincare ingredients available, but knowing the right way and frequency of using it can be confusing. When I first started a skin care routine with retinol, there was definitely a bit of a learning curve. Recommendations vary across products and skin types. Using it incorrectly often leads to dryness, redness, and irritation, but using it correctly delivers long term improvements in fine lines, acne, texture, and discoloration. Today’s post is going to be a guide on how often to use retinol based on experience level, skin tolerance, and product strength.

How Often To Use Retinol

Retinol works best when it becomes a sustainable part of your skin care routine. Getting the frequency right is one of the most important parts of using retinol successfully. It’s also important to pay attention to how your skin feels while using retinol. Making gradual adjustments and supporting your skin barrier with moisturizer and daily sunscreen will help you get the most from incorporating retinol into your routine. It’s also worth noting that you do not have to only use a prescription strength retinol to see great results. There are so many great over the counter formulas to try at all price points.

What Is Retinol

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that helps improve skin. Topical retinoids are available both as a prescription from a dermatologist (usually in the form of retinoic acid) or in over the counter formulations that anyone can purchase.

How Does Retinol Work

Retinol has become increasingly popular because of it’s efficacy at targeting many anti-aging concerns. Retinol speeds up skin cell turnover, encourages new collagen production, and helps prevent pores from becoming clogged.  These changes happen gradually as the skin renews itself over time.

What Does Retinol Do

Softening fine lines and wrinkles

By helping to boost collagen production in the skin, the skin will appear more plump. Fine lines and wrinkles are often less noticeable.

Improving skin texture

By speeding up the cellular turnover process, new cells are being produced on the skin giving it a more youthful and smooth appearance.

Boosting collagen production

Retinol can penetrate the epidermis in order to boost collagen and elastin production.

Reducing acne and clogged pores

Retinol can help exfoliate the surface of the skin helping to prevent dead skin cells from clogging your pores. Many people use retinol not only as an anti-aging product but as a product to help treat acne.

Fading post-acne marks and hyperpigmentation

By helping the skin shed those pigmented and damaged cells, it can break up dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation.

Brightening uneven skin tone

By speeding up cellular turnover, pigmented skin is diminished leading to a more even tone complexion.

Smoothing the overall appearance of the skin

By targeting so many different concerns, retinol can help the overall look of your skin appear smoother and more even.

How Often Should You Use Retinol

While there is no wrong or right answer to this question on how often to apply retinol, it’s more important to listen to your skin rather than follow a rigid schedule. It’s always best to start small using retinol only one night a week to see how your skin tolerates it. As your skin becomes used to it,  you can increase frequency to every other night or even every night if you feel that works with your skincare needs. Personally, I use my retinol products 5 nights a week at this point because my skin tolerates it well so I can use it more frequently now.

How To Safely Use Retinol

Cleanse with a gentle cleanser.

Ensure you are properly washing your face each night which should include double cleansing if you are wearing makeup or sunscreen. A nourishing cleansing balm is a great first step and be sure to follow it up with a gentle face wash tailored to your skin type.

Here are a few of my favorite cleansing balms: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (discount code: MAREE20), Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm (discount code: MAREE10) and Remedy Derm Dissolve Cleansing Balm.

I rotate between all of these gel cleansers which give a deep cleanse without stripping the skin: OneSkin Prep Facial Cleanser (discount code: MAREE15), Experiment Beauty Plasma Wash (discount code: MAREE15) and Dieux Baptism Gel Cleanser.

Let skin dry completely.

It’s best to apply retinol on dry skin. Applying it on damp skin can increase the possibility of irritation.

Apply a pea-sized amount of retinol.

A small pea-sized amount is all you need to cover your entire face. Less is more when it comes to using retinol products. Using too much can lead to skin sensitivity or damage to the skin barrier.

Follow with moisturizer.

It’s vital that you moisturize when using retinol because of it’s propensity to cause dryness. Make sure you use something nourishing that will help to support the skin barrier. Look for products with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and squalane.

My personal favorite moisturizers that are great for intensely moisturizing: Dieux Instant Angel Skin Restoring Moisturizer, Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh (discount code: MAREE15) and INNBEAUTY Extreme Cream.

Wear sunscreen every morning.

Retinol can make the skin more sensitive to the sun so it is a non-negotiable that you wear sunscreen during the day if regularly using retinol and retinoids. No matter what time of year it is or what the weather is outside, you should always have sun protection on the face. Sun damage even on cloudy days can occur. In order to protect all the hard work you are doing with your skincare routine, be sure to wear a sunscreen every single day.

Here are my favorite SPF formulas that I love to wear alone or under makeup: Versed Good Defense SPF Daily Sunscreen SPF 50, OneSkin OS-O1 Face SPF Protect + Repair SPF 30 (discount code: MAREE15) and Tatcha The Milky Sunscreen SPF 50.

I have a few body sunscreens that I like to use both for everyday and also when I go to the beach and/or pool. Since I use retinol products on my body as well, it’s important that I use SPF every day. Here are some of my current favorites: OneSkin Triple Power OS-01 Body SPF 30 (discount code: MAREE15), Supergoop PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50, Emma Lewisham Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Body Cream and La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Body and Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 100.

My Favorite Retinol Products

Face

Medik8 Crystal Retinal

The Medik8 crystal retinal formula uses retinaldehyde which works faster than traditional (over the counter) retinol. There are various strengths depending on what your skin can tolerate and you can work up to the stronger levels over time or stick with what works for you. If you really want to target anti-aging concerns such as wrinkles, uneven skin tone and firmness, retinol products are a must have for your skincare routine.

Mother Science Retinol Synergist (discount code: MAREESYE)

The Mother Science Retinol Synergist helps to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, smooths texture and firms the skin. It will also help to reduce the appearance of pore size. In addition to retinol which targets fine lines and wrinkles, the Retinol Synergist serum contains Malassezin which reduces free radical damage, supports and calms the skin barrier. Lipid concentrate enhances moisturization and plumps skin and trehalose soothes the skin and retains moisture. This is one of the gentlest yet most effective retinol serums that I love and use regularly.

Body

Saltair Retinol Revive Overnight Body Lotion

As I’ve gotten older, retinol is one of the most important ingredients in my skincare routine. Cellular turnover slows down as we age so it’s important to use a retinol product to help speed up this process. Only using products that hydrate or add moisture into the skin won’t do much for the appearance, texture and tone of the skin on your body. Adding in those products containing targeted anti-aging ingredients will really help to improve the skin’s overall look and feel. I don’t use this body lotion every day but try to add it into my routine 1-2x/week. It’s important to use SPF daily while using a retinol product, so be sure to apply a daily sunscreen to the body or any areas that are exposed to the sun.

Doing my skincare routines is one of my favorite parts of each day. And as a result, my skin looks and feels better than it has in years. Active ingredients are the foundation of most effective skincare routines. These ingredients are designed to target specific concerns. However, this is a lot of questions about whether ingredients can be used together safely and effectively. Retinol and hyaluronic acid are among the most common ingredients for skin aging, so I am going to talk about whether or not you can use hyaluronic acid and retinol together.

Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid With Retinol

Combining skincare active ingredients can be confusing for many people including myself at times. A skin cycling routine can often help simply the process of how best to use your active ingredients to be the most effective. Getting the most out of retinol and hyaluronic acid is less about using the strongest products and more about building a routine that you can maintain consistently. Retinol and hyaluronic acid can absolutely work together to create a balanced routine that improves both the appearance and overall health of your skin over the long term when used correctly.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found throughout the body. It functions as a humectant, meaning it attracts and holds water. It is often referred to as a hydration powerhouse, but how it naturally declines with age. As a result, aging skin can become dehydrated much easier unless we are putting that hyaluronic acid back into the skin with our skincare products.

What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do?

Increasing hydration

Because hyaluronic acid can draw and bind moisture to the skin, applying it can help to increase surface level hydration.

Improving skin elasticity

By adding back moisture into the skin, it can help improve elasticity and firmness.

Creating a plumper appearance

When the skin has improved elasticity and firmness, it will naturally appear more plump and supple.

Softening the appearance of fine lines

Hydrated skin tends to show less fine lines.

Supporting skin barrier function

In order to have a healthy barrier, the skin must be properly hydrated inside and out.

Helping skin feel smoother and more comfortable

Dry and dehydrated skin can feel so uncomfortable so adding in moisture will help to relieve many issues with discomfort.

What Is Retinol

Retinol is one of the most studied and recommended skincare ingredients available. It’s main function is to help speed up cellular turnover and stimulate collagen production.

What Does Retinol Do

Reduce fine lines and wrinkles

By helping to boost collagen production in the skin, the skin will appear more plump and fine lines less noticeable.

Improve skin texture

By speeding up the cellular turnover process, new cells are being produced on the skin giving it a more youthful and smooth appearance.

Support collagen production

Retinol can penetrate the epidermis in order to boost collagen and elastin production.

Address acne concerns

Retinol can help exfoliate the surface of the skin helping to prevent dead skin cells from clogging your pores.

Improve uneven skin tone

By speeding up cellular turnover, pigmented skin is diminished leading to a more even tone complexion.

Minimize the appearance of dark spots

By helping the skin shed those pigmented and damaged cells, it can break up dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation.

Can You Use Retinol With Hyaluronic Acid

Yes, retinol and hyaluronic acid are compatible ingredients that can be used in the same skincare routine. They do not interfere with each other’s effectiveness. Hyaluronic acid helps support skin hydration while retinol focuses on long-term skin improvement.

How To Use Hyaluronic Acid And Retinol Together

Start with a gentle cleanser.

Ensure you are properly washing your face each night which should include double cleansing if you are wearing makeup or sunscreen. A nourishing cleansing balm is a great first step and be sure to follow it up with a gentle face wash tailored to your skin type.

Apply retinol according to the product directions.

It’s important to follow the exact product directions or prescription instructions when using retinol to avoid any damage to your skin barrier. When used properly, retinol can be incredibly beneficial to the skin but depending on the strength can cause dryness, flakiness, irritation, etc.

Follow with hyaluronic acid to support hydration.

It’s not a necessity but I like to apply my hyaluronic acid serums to damp skin instead of dry skin. I will often just spray a face mist right before I apply the serum so that it traps the moisture on my skin.

Apply a moisturizer to help lock in moisture.

Finishing off your skincare routine with a moisturizer is key to help nourish the skin and protect the skin barrier.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning.

No matter what time of year it is or what the weather is outside, you should always have sun protection on the face. Sun damage even on cloudy days can occur. In order to protect all the hard work you are doing with your skincare routine, be sure to wear a sunscreen every single day.

My Recommended Hyaluronic Acid Products

Sarah Creal Beauty Moisture Source

This is the only skincare product I have tried from Sarah Creal but it is a best seller for good reason. It’s one of the most hydrating and plumping essences I’ve ever tried. An essence is heavier than traditional toners. So it is best used after you have cleansed/toned, but before you apply your serums. Skip a cotton pad and pour the essence into the palm of your hands so you can press it gently into the skin. It’s a bi-phase formula so be sure to shake it up before you apply.

On the Sarah Creal website, it’s described as a liquid moisturizer which is a great description. You could even use it as a serum in your skincare routine if you are in need of added moisture. I use it both morning/night and find that it helps my skin hold onto moisture longer throughout the day. My skin is less dehydrated at the end of the day when I use this regularly in my morning routine. For my nighttime routine, I find it adds another layer of hydration that helps my skin stay balanced.

Medik8 Liquid Peptides

Many hydrating serums focus on simply providing moisture. But the Medik8 Liquid Peptides hydrates the skin as well as visibly plump. From the first time I used this serum, I could instantly notice a difference! My skin immediately looked firmer, more supple and fine lines were noticeably smoothed. After 4 weeks of using it every day, my skin looks so plump and actually feels thicker (not sure if it is but it feels that way LOL). If this is your first time trying the Medik8 line, this serum is a must have! It would easily work into any skincare routine and really targets fine lines and wrinkles better than most of my other hydrating serums. A definite repurchase for me.

The Retinol Products I Love

Mother Science Retinol Synergist (discount code: MAREESYE)

Retinol Synergist helps to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, smooths texture and firms the skin. It will also help to reduce the appearance of pore size.  The additional benefit of supporting the skin barrier is one of the reasons I was so excited to try this serum because retinol products can often be quite harsh on the skin. So to find one that also provides skin barrier support is rare and what made me love this product even more.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal

This retinol product uses retinaldehyde which works faster than traditional (over the counter) retinol. There are various strengths depending on what your skin can tolerate and you can work up to the stronger levels over time or stick with what works for you. If you really want to target anti-aging concerns such as wrinkles, uneven skin tone and firmness, retinol products are a must have for your skincare routine. I started with using this once a week and worked my way up to every other night.