It’s no mystery that retinol is one of the most popular skin care products; dermatologists adore it for its capacity to increase collagen formation, improve cell turnover, reduce hyperpigmentation, and so much more.
However, if you’ve just recently started using retinol, you’re probably already aware of some of the frequent adverse effects, which include skin peeling, burning, irritation, and dryness. These side effects are also known as the “retinoid reaction” or retinoid-induced dermatitis.
What happens if you use retinol in the winter? These negative effects can only become more evident because dryness, peeling, and irritation can all be made worse by the chilly, wintry air. That’s not to imply you have to put your retinol away until the weather warms up again; you just need to use it more wisely.
Just in time for the frost of winter to linger, I’ve gathered some most pressing queries and created this comprehensive guide on winter retinol.
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Is winter a suitable season to begin taking retinoids?
There isn’t really a “perfect” time of year to begin taking retinol. Granted, winter may bring with it an increased level of dryness, but summertime may also bring more sun exposure to your skin. Retinol can enhance photosensitivity, so be sure to use it at night.
If you do decide to start taking retinol in the winter, remember that it’s usually recommended to start out slowly. Think about using the product in moderation. Apply just Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for instance, for the first two to three weeks. You can apply it once a night if there is no development of redness, peeling, or irritation.
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Should you switch to a retinol with a lesser potency in the winter?
The truth is that there is some complexity to this solution. Feel free to continue with your regular regimen if your retinol is working well for you (i.e., no irritation, redness, or peeling). See your dermatologist if you require a retinoid or retinol if you experience increased irritation in the winter.
Retinol is only the over-the-counter variant, meaning it’s less potent and typically less irritating. On the other hand, retinoid is the general word for the entire class of vitamin A derivatives. This includes both OTC and prescription-strength options which can cause greater irritation.
Having said that, you might want to consider swapping to a different form of retinol instead of lowering the concentration. Look for one that has ceramides or hyaluronic acid buffered in it to assist lessen some of the dryness.
You may modify your frequency as well. Try using the product half as often as you do right now. Apply, for example, one to two days a week rather than three to four. Retinol should never be applied to red, dry, or irritated regions; instead, it should always be applied in front of a well-lit mirror. Then, consider switching to a product with lesser strength if the adjustments are irritating you.
Which ingredients are you not supposed to combine with retinol?
Never combine retinoids with BHAs or AHAs. Although the compounds may inactivate one another, your skin will suffer excessive damage from the retinol and chemical exfoliant. That will just make things more irritable. Additionally, taking retinol and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) simultaneously can render the components inactive. Dermatologists advise taking retinol for nightly repair and vitamin C as your daily active because of this.
Now, if your skin can handle it, you can exfoliate the nights you don’t use retinol. Just remember to take some nights off for skin healing. It’s similar to how it takes days to recover from a workout. This also applies to the skin’s barrier function and the microbiome. Do you wish to apply retinol? Try it out. Do you wish to employ an AHA such as glycolic acid? Go ahead and use only nourishing, moisturizing substances, but give yourself a break for two nights.
Considering this, stick to glycerin, peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and prebiotics. The secret is to seek for moisturizing, relaxing, and soothing elements.
Is it still possible to use retinol if blowing your nose in the winter has caused dry or peeling skin?
It’s a challenging question to answer given that retinol and other skin care products can exacerbate dry skin around the nose. Dryness can be brought on by environmental factors such as cold or dry air, cold wind, sunburn, windburn, or prolonged sun exposure that affect the delicate skin around the nose. Whether used for wrinkles or acne, retinoid treatment can irritate the delicate skin surrounding the nose.
The solution in this case is to refrain from using retinol in the winter on this region of skin or any other skin that is very dry. You could also move to a retinol that is milder once the peeling stops. Alternatively, look for a product that contains jojoba oil, glycerin, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid, which are known to relieve sensitive skin.
Why is dry skin the ideal type to apply retinol? And if your skin is already dry and parched?
Clean, dry skin is the best place to apply retinol. If you have dry skin, it is preferable to wait at least 10 minutes after cleansing before using retinol. This reduces the possibility of burning or irritation. In addition, applied to dry, clean skin facilitates a higher absorption of the active ingredient by the skin cells.
Now, if your primary concern is dry skin in the winter, this could be a problem. Some people think that using a moisturizer right away after waiting 10 minutes will result in dry, cracked skin. Nevertheless, you can always choose a retinol moisturizer with a cream base or locate a serum that has hydrating elements.
After cleansing your skin, add moisturizer, retinoid, and then another layer of makeup. This method not only keeps your skin hydrated in the winter, but it also lessens irritation because the physical barrier dilutes the intense active ingredient.
Is it possible to take retinol while traveling?
Depending on the kind of trip, you might want to leave your retinol at home if you’re heading somewhere with a really drastic shift in setting, like a snowy ski trip. It might take your skin several days to acclimate to the new climate, thus the potential downtime associated with the change in climate is not worth it. Likewise, avoid using retinol at home if you are heading for a winter beach vacation because it can cause sun sensitivity.
Except for the beach, of course, if you’re going to be anywhere new for longer than a week, pack the retinol in your suitcase. Simply monitor your skin to see whether the frequency needs to be lowered.
What else might exist for utilizing retinol while reducing irritation?
You can choose a moisturizer that is appropriate for winter in addition to the above-mentioned approach to assist reduce any dryness. Use a moisturizer on top of your retinoid constantly, always, always. You may want to apply something a little bit thicker and more occlusive for the winter.
Another option for treating hypersensitive skin is to apply retinol as a wash-off mask; this is referred to as short-contact therapy. In essence, your skin care routine consists of cleansing your face, applying retinol, leaving it on for a few minutes, and then washing it off. Reduced retinoic acid on the skin means reduced inflammation.
Also, there is a clinical investigation to bolster its efficacy. For approximately 12 weeks, participants were required to apply 0.05% tretinoin cream, a prescription-strength retinoid (1). They applied it once a day, for 30 minutes before washing it off. Their compliance with their tretinoin tube was not only increased, but it also helped alleviate several of their skin care issues. Therefore, even if you don’t leave it on all night, retinoids can still aid cell turnover.
To Wrap Things Up.
It seems reasonable that you might have some questions if you were taking retinol in the winter. Retinoids and low temperatures can both have comparable adverse effects on your skin. Please make use of this post or offer suggestions in the comments section below! My top recommendations for the best retinol serums are listed here:
Squalane + Phyto-retinol Serum • Biossance • $63
VERSED Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum • VERSED Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum • $22
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum – 1.69 fl oz • No7 • $27.99
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Thank you so much for this post! I’ve been wanting to try retinol but I have very dry skin so I have been nervous. I will definitely be taking your advice when I start trying it out. So helpful! 🙂
You’re most welcome, Sarah!! Thank you for reading. I’m glad it brought clarity 😊 Keep me posted on your progress!