· By Dr Helena Marlow · 1 min read
Retinoids: a slow, kind start
Why we suggest starting low and slow with a retinoid, and how to tell irritation from purging.
Retinoids are among the best-studied ingredients in skin care, and among the easiest to overdo. The secret is patience.
Start low, go slow
Begin with a gentle, over-the-counter retinol two nights a week, on dry skin, after cleansing. If your skin is happy after a fortnight, add a third night. Build up over a couple of months, not a couple of days.
Buffer if you need to
If your skin feels tight or flaky, put a plain moisturiser on first and the retinoid on top, or take a night off. Mild dryness is common at first; burning, swelling or a rash is not, so stop and ask us.
Know when not to
Retinoids aren’t for use in pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and we’ll ask you to pause them before peels, microneedling and laser. Always tell your practitioner what you’re using.
Stronger, prescription retinoids are a medical treatment: talk to us, or to your doctor, at a consultation.