10 Tricks To Overcome Irritated Skin After Using Retinol

Illustrations (Kate_Sept2004 / Istockphoto)

JAKARTA - For dealing with acne and signs of aging, retinol is indeed the most reliable. And maybe it has become part of your daily skincare routine. Although it is very effective as an anti-aging and anti-acne, however, this skincare content has side effects that cannot be avoided. One of them is purging because of retinol.

Reporting from Beautyfied, Thursday, June 2, dermatologists say that along with its function of accelerating skin cell turnover, retinol also causes skin congestion, breakouts, redness, and peeling in the adjustment phase. It is at this stage that purging due to retinol occurs. Then, how to solve it?

Don't Stop Using Retinol Completely

When you see a breakout face after using retinol, you may immediately think about stopping using it. In fact, you should not do this. Stopping the use of retinol actually inhibits ongoing progress. Instead, you have to start from scratch to fix it. Relax, purging because of retinol is a temporary side effect and this is normal.

Minimize Skincare Routine

As an active ingredient, retinol cannot be used carelessly. Including how to use it with other skincare. Make sure you know what skincare ingredients should not be used with retinol. However, always pair retinol with a moisturizer that can speed up the "healing" of the skin.

Reduce Usage Intensity

Purging due to retinol can be overcome by reducing the frequency of use. If needed, reduce the use from daily to three times a week for the skin to adjust. When you get used to the frequency, increase its use again to 4-5 times a week.

Use thinly

How much retinol do you need to apply in one go? The less, the better. Using a lot can actually cause dry, red, and irritated skin. So, use it thinly. Especially if it's the first time using it.

Strengthen Skin Barrier

Having super benefits, retinol can also cause dry skin. Therefore, never skip using a moisturizer even if your skin is oily. Moisturizer helps reduce skin peeling during the purging process. Dermatologists recommend choosing a moisturizer that contains ceramide, hyaluronic acid, or glycerine to maintain moisture – the key to strengthening the skin barrier.

Reduce Retinol Concentration

Although retinol is a fairly heavy ingredient, sensitive skin can still use it. The trick is to reduce the concentration of the product by mixing retinol with moisturizer. Then, apply them together.

Use Moisturizer First

Another alternative to mixing retinol and moisturizer is to use a moisturizer first. This is useful to provide a protective layer before the skin comes into direct contact with the retinol. Because as we know, retinol is easy to irritate the skin. Don't worry, this method does not reduce the benefits of retinol.

Avoid Strong Soaps

When using retinol, make sure not to use other harsh skincare products, especially face wash. Dermatologists say avoid soaps that contain other active ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.

Avoid Exfoliating Acid

Stop using exfoliating acid in serum and other skincare products. Exfoliating acids like AHA/BHA are too harsh for purging skin due to retinol.

Always Use Sunscreen

Retinol is sensitive to sunlight because of its performance in accelerating cell turnover. So you should always use sunscreen during the day. Don't forget to reapply sunscreen every two hours.