5 things to know before using retinal and retinoids
05 February 2024 – 2 min read
Vitamin A (in the form of retinol, retinal, tretinoin etc) is the gold standard in anti-ageing - one of the most tested and effective skincare ingredients out there. But whether you’re new to the game (welcome!) or have been religiously using one version or another for years, it’s worth noting that there are some common mistakes made when applying Vitamin A products.
Here are five things to keep in mind when using a retinoid in your skincare routine.
Start slow
First thing first: our Super Retinal Vitamin A Serum has been specifically formulated to be gentle yet potent, meaning even sensitive types can benefit from its radiance-enhancing, skin-smoothing properties. Side note: you can read up on why retinal is better than retinol here. But retinoids are powerful and may initially cause dryness or irritation for new users - that’s why we always suggest a gradual introduction that lets your skin adapt naturally over time.
For newbies, we recommend using Super Retinal Vitamin A Serum twice weekly for two weeks, always at night. Gradually build skin tolerance by using every alternate night for another two weeks, and then nightly, or as needed to suit skin tolerance. Advanced users can apply nightly after cleansing.
Don't stop at your face
When applying Super Retinal Vitamin A Serum (or any skincare, for that matter), don’t forget your neck and chest. These areas are just as delicate as the face and notorious for showing the signs of ageing, yet often overlooked.
Keep an eye on side effects
Gradually building up your tolerance using the method above is the best way to avoid common retinoid side effects like irritation and dryness. But if you’re experiencing increased sensitivity, flaking, burning or redness, immediately stop use.
Remember to moisturise
Because retinal can be drying, you’ll want to seek out products that have hydrating ingredients included in the formulation (like willowherb, chamomile and niacinamide in Super Retinal Vitamin A Serum) and apply a nourishing, soothing moisturiser afterwards. Think: Skin Drench Moisturiser.
Wear SPF every day
One of the most important steps to using any retinoid is following it up with daily sunscreen use. You should be wearing SPF every day anyway, but it’s even more important when using vitamin A products as they can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
