Retinol Additional Story

Before moving on to another topic, I’d like to give some information that you can consider when you use retinoids products – try to avoid confusion, I will mention ‘retinoid’ to ‘retinol’ from now on😉.

🌼How to start?

1. Start With Low Concentration (0.01% to 0.03%, then push up to 0.2% to 1.0% for advanced level) and gradually increase the frequency of application.

Retinol can cause initial side effects like redness, dryness, and peeling as your skin adjusts, and this symptom can appear up to 2 days after applying, so monitor your skin.

👉Once or twice a week for the start to give the skin a chance to acclimate, and then slowly increase to every other night or nightly
👉Avoid sensitive areas such as near the eyes, corners of the nose, and mouth, as these areas can be more prone to irritation

2. Use At Night and Wear SPF
   Retinols break down easily when exposed to sunlight and are less effective so always wear sunscreen during the day – retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, and using at night is safer.
   
3. Avoid Mixing With Certain Products
   Avoid using retinol in combination with other active ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or vitamin C until your skin is accustomed to retinol, however, vitamin and retinol mixed in formula could be beneficial to improve skin condition.

Ref. Repeated topical application of a preparation containing both retinol and vitamin C could reverse, at least in part, skin changes induced by both chronological and photoaging.
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/)
Ex. Primera Vitatinol Serum (Retinol + vitamin C)

🌼 Retinol Do Not Mix

• AHA/BHA acids
• Benzoyl Peroxide (acne treatment)
• Vitamin C
• Skin Laser Treatment

👉What ingredients work well with Retinol?
Hyaluronic Acid type of moisturizer and skin barrier supporting ingredients like peptides and ceramides can be safely used with retinol in the same routine. Also calming ingredients such as CICA (centella asiatica, madecassoside etc,) can improve the tolerability of potential irritation.

🌼Retinol Do Mix

• Hyaluronic Acid – Relieve dryness from retinol and increase the effectiveness anti-aging benefits
• Niacinamide – Strengthen the skin barrier and support the anti-aging benefits of retinol
• Peptide (Matrixyl) – Firm and build a strong skin barrier
• Ceramide, Colesterol, Fatty Acid – TOP3 skin barrier supporters
• Ferulic Acid – Can help retinol reach further into the deeper layers of the skin and promote collagen production

🌵Sandwich Technique: applying a layer of moisturizer, then retinol, and then another layer of moisturizer on top. This method is popular on Google to minimize potential irritation, but does it make retinol work? 😂 It may be worth doing, however I prefer the way of applying a moisturizer after or before retinol application – retinol serum then moisturizer, or hydrating serum then retinol cream.

🌼Retinol Burn (Retinization)

My skin is quite healthy however I have experienced the ‘Retinol Burn’ – retinol side effects reach the stage like severe irritation: redness, discoloration, pain and burning feeling – as I tested more than 2 retinols in same day so wanted to share with you.

1. How To Treat Retinol Burn
   The visible signs of retinol burn normally take about a week to dissipate and there is something you can do to help heal faster.

• Keep your skin routine as basic and gentle as possible – Avoid retinol product and no makeup if possible, and wash with only cool water
• Apply a gentle, hypoallergenic moisturizer – keep your skin moisturized
• Can use Aloe Vera for temporarily soothing burned and irritated skin
• Can use an over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone cream sparingly
• When you go out, wear SPF
  

2. My Suggestion
Once happening, try to avoid new products that you never tried(👇), and focus on restoring the skin barrier. Retinol compromised our skin barrier, resulting in increased skin sensitivity, so find a product that helps repair and strengthen the skin barrier.If you experience persistent irritation, redness, or discomfort, please see Dermatologist before making it worse with a home remedy.

👉 Pure extract(👇) such as Centella Asiatica Extract and Houttuynia Cordata Extract is generally great for soothing so I used them without doubting, however I never tried those types of products before and it made it worse, so I ended up seeing the Pharmacist.
👉 My Hero Product: SOLOSITE Cooling, Soothing, Hydrating Gel
Have been using this cream for 7 days without makeup and I was able to get back to normal.

*SOLOSITE Gel is used for the treatment of minor conditions such as minor burns, including sunburn, superficial cuts and lacerations, skin tears and abrasions.

3. Product Recommendation(s) based on my experience
   After that, slightly putting my usual cosmetics into my daily routine – mainly skin barrier supporting and soothing products, and Niacinamide for discoloration, these are my picks:

• Abib Acne Foam Cleanser
• Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
• AESTURA A-Cica 365 Blemish Calming Serum
• S.NATURE Aqua Squalane Serum – alternately used
• AESTURA Ato 365 Cream
• S. NATURE Aqua Squalane Moisturizing Cream – alternately used

🌼Conclusion

Retinol is a brilliant, multi-tasking skincare ingredient for anti-aging, pigmentation and wrinkles. It occurs retinol reaction however once your skin gets used to, it will make your skin more firm, radiant and youthful. It also slows to deliver noticeable improvement, so patience is key.
Don’t give up this super ingredient ‘Retinol’ and when you choose the product, check the ingredients list for any potential irritants or allergens like parabens, phenoxyethanol or sodium benzoate that may irritate your skin.

What is my best pick? so far, I may say ‘Primera Vitatinol and IOPE Bounce Serum’. Remember ‘Start Slow, Be Patient & Consistent’
Thanks for reading~