6 Retinol Tips Those With Dry Skin Should Know

Retinol has amazing benefits from anti-aging to acne eradication, but every rose has its thorn and retinol is known for its ability to cause initial redness, irritation and dryness. If you already have dry skin, using retinol can be a risky endeavor, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it altogether.

“Retinol is a vitamin A–derived molecule which is a tricky ingredient to use in people with dry and/or sensitive skin,” says Davie, FL dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD. For patients with drier skin types, the skin barrier is foundationally disrupted. So application of very potent retinol can potentially harm and irritate it, leading to redness, flaking and burning sensation of the skin.” These unwanted side effects can be avoided, or at least mitigated, by following expert advice on best practices for applying retinol to dry skin.

1 / 6

Start slow

Dr. Blyumin-Karasik says those beginning a retinol regimen should adhere to a slow and steady philosophy. “The most important thing is to start slow and make sure that you begin with a gentle product (especially if you have light skin or eczema),” says West Palm Beach, FL dermatologist Kenneth Beer, MD. 

Glenn Dale, MD dermatologist Valerie D. Callender, MD suggests new users add a retinol into their routine every other night for two to three weeks. If your skin is tolerating the retinol, then you can switch to a nightly retinol regimen. “Use a pea-size amount and spread evenly on the entire face. More does not mean better,” says Dr. Callender. “The goal is to minimize skin irritation.”

Getty Images 2 / 6

Use gentle skin care

Retinol should only be one part of your skin-care routine, and if you have dry skin, the rest of your regimen should be catered to quieting sensitivity while using retinol. Dr. Callender recommends using a “hydrating cleanser and moisturizer that repairs and protects the skin barrier.” She also suggests products that contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration.

Getty Images / Image Used for Illustrative Purposes Only 3 / 6

Use “bland” moisturizers

Moisturizers are an essential part of a daily skin-care routine, but they become even more crucial when using a retinol. Dr. Beer specifically advises using “lots of bland moisturizers to calm the skin.” Dr. Calendar suggests employing an oil-free moisturizer or hyaluronic acid serum before or after retinol application.

moisturize 4 / 6

 Choose your retinol wisely

There are a ton of retinol products on the market, and it’s all about choosing the one that’s right for you. For those with dry skin, Dr. Blyumin-Karasik says, “a gentler and gradual-delivery type of retinol is best to minimize upsetting the skin.” Her favorite retinols for sensitive skin are Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream ($130) and the Avene RetinAL line.

5 / 6

Don’t apply retinol to wet skin

Dr. Beer warns against applying retinol to your skin when it’s wet. He notes that retinol is more likely to irritate the skin while moist.

Getty Images / Image Used for Illustrative Purposes Only 6 / 6

Only use retinol at night

Dr. Callender notes that retinol should be applied at night. Since retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so applying it before heading out the door can result in increased irritation and sun damage.

stock_colors/ getty images It's Personal hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "8806970", formId: "a8aef9b2-6178-4dad-9e2a-98b7661febc2" }); Find a Doctor

Find a NewBeauty "Top Beauty Doctor" Near you

Select a state State AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC FL GA HI IA IL IN KY LA MA MD MI MN MO NC NE NJ NV NY OH OR PA SC TN TX UT VA WA WI Select a state Specialty Cosmetic Dentist Dermatologist Facial Plastic Surgeon Hair Restoration Specialist Oculoplastic Surgeon Periodontist Plastic Surgeon Prosthodontist Vein Specialist Select a state Treatment Abdominal thread lifts Accent your Body Acne Treatments Alexandrite Laser Arm Lift Asclera Bellafill Belotero Blue Light Body Body Lift Botox Botox Browlift Brachioplasty Brazilian Butt Lift Breast Augmentation Breast Augmentation with Fat Grafting Breast Implants Breast Implants with Saline Breast Implants with Silicone Breast Lift Breast Lift with Implants Breast Reconstruction Breast Reduction Browlift Butt Enhancement Carboxytherapy Cellulite Treatment Cheek Augmentation Cheek Augmentation with Fat Grafting Cheek Implants Cheek Lift Chemical Peels Chin Augmentation CO2 lasers Cool Lipo CoolSculpting CoolTone Crowns Dental Bonding Dental Implants Dimpleplasty Diode Laser Dysport embrace Active Scar Defense Emsculpt Endermologie Endoscopic Browlift Endoscopic Facelift Endoscopic Tummy Tuck Erbium Lasers Exilis Ultra 360 Eyelift Eyelift with Fat Grafting Face Facelift Facelift with Fat Grafting FaceTite Fat Melters and Fat Reducers Fat Transfer Forma Fractional CO2 lasers Fractional Resurfacing Lasers Fractora Glycolic Peels Glytone Enhanced Brightening Cream Gum Dermabrasion Gum Lift Hair Hair Removal Hair Transplant Hair-Loss Treatment Injectables & Fillers for Cheek Augmentation Injectables & Fillers for Eyelift Injectables & Fillers for Lip Enhancement Injectables And Fillers Injectables and Fillers with Fat Grafting Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Invisalign Isolaz Juvéderm Juvéderm Volbella Juvéderm Voluma Kybella Lactic Acid Peels Laser Liposuction Lasers Lateral Tension Tummy Tuck Limited Incision Facelift Lip Enhancement Lip Enhancement with Fat Grafting Lip Implant Lip Lift Liposculpture Liposuction Liquid Facelift Long Pulsed N: Yag laser Lower Blepharoplasty Lower Body Lift Lower eyelid surgery Lower Facelift MACS Lift Mandelic Peels Microdermabrasion Microinjection Microneedling Microwave Laser Treatment Mini Tummy Tuck Mini-Facelift Mommy Makeover Nd: Yag Neck Liposuction Necklift Nonsurgical Facelift Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty Obagi Blue Peel Otoplasty Perlane Phenol Peels Photobiomodulation Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Photofacial PiQo4 Plasma Resurfacing Lasers Power Assisted Liposuction Prevelle Pulsed Dye Radiesse Radio Frequency with Microneedling Radio Frequency-Assisted Lipolysis Red Light Restylane Restylane Defyne Restylane Lyft Restylane Refyne Restylane Silk Revision Rhinoplasty Rhinoplasty Salicylic Peels SculpSure Sculptra Aesthetic Selphyl Silhouette Instalift Skin Skin Tighteners Skin Treatments Slim Lipo Smart Lipo SMAS facelift Smile Smile Makeover Smoothshapes Straightening Stretch Mark Treatments TCA Chemical Peels Teeth Whitening Thermage ThermiTight Thigh Lift Titan Tooth Contouring Traditional Facelift Tumescent Liposuction Tummy Tuck Ulthera Ultherapy Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction Umbilicoplasty Upper Blepharoplasty Upper eyelid surgery Vanquish ME VASER Lipo Vein Treatments Velashape Velasmooth Veneers Xeomin Search

SEA-MALLS | CURATED | QUALITY | VALUE | CONVENIENCE

Find High Quality Products, Carefully Curated from the best Malls for your convenience on https://sea-malls.com/.

Professor Owl carefully selects what’s currently trending; Top Quality, From Crystals to Dresses; If it’s not good enough for Professor Owl, it has no place on https://sea-malls.com/Trusted by Customers across 6 Continents, Professor Owl always says, “Quality and Value are NOT mutually exclusive”.

With Products Always on Sale, Over 100, 000 Five Star Reviews & Always FREE Shipping Globally, https://sea-malls.com/ delivers high quality, trending products at real value & true convenience.

50Pcs Eyelash Brushes Makeup Brushes Disposable Mascara Wands Applicator Multicolors Eye Lashes Cosmetic Brush Makeup Tools

https://sea-malls.com/fifty-disposable-mascara-brushes/

Lash Lift Kit used by Professionals. Eyelash Perming Kit Lash Set.

DIY and save today!

https://sea-malls.com/eyelash-lift-and-perming-kit/

Elegant Magnetic Eyelashes with Magnetic Liquid Eyeliner & Magnetic False Eyelashes & Tweezer Set as well Magnetic Eyeliner with Long False Eyelashes

https://sea-malls.com/magnetic-magnetic-false-eyelashes-and-eyeliner-set/

MD Advanced Lash Growth Serum

https://sea-malls.com/md-advanced-lash-growth-serum/

Originally posted on: https://www.newbeauty.com/retinol-tips-for-dry-skin/