This is a question we hear often here at Eight Saints Skin. And for good reason because retinol can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start. Does it work overnight? Should I use it every night? How do I know if I’m using too much?
Let’s take a closer look at what retinol does, how often to use retinol, and how you can build a consistent routine with our Eight Saints Smooth Sailing Retinol line.
What Does Retinol Do?
Retinol supports cell turnover. Cells on the surface of your skin are constantly being replaced by newer cells rising to the surface. As skin matures, this turnover can slow down. Retinol works by convincing your skin to turn over faster than normal.
Retinol helps with:
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Fine lines
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Uneven skin texture
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Dull appearance
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Large pores
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Uneven skin tone
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Early signs of aging
Improved turnover and cell reproduction can lead to healthier-looking skin over time.
Remember how we said retinol works by convincing your skin to turnover faster than normal? This also means that it can take some time for your skin to adjust to retinol. That’s why knowing how often to use retinol matters.
Why Shouldn’t You Use Retinol Every Night?
People make the mistake of applying retinol every night as soon as they purchase a product. However, this can irritate the skin.
Using too much retinol too fast is one of the quickest ways to experience dryness, redness, or so-called retinol burn.
Your skin needs time to adjust to a retinol routine. Start slowly by using retinol two to three times per week for several weeks. Once your skin gets used to it, you can slowly increase frequency until you’re using it every other night or nightly if tolerated.
Is Retinol Good for Skin?
Yes, but in moderation at first until your skin gets used to it.
Instead, follow this schedule to start:
- Weeks 1-2: Use retinol twice per week.
- Weeks 3-4: Increase frequency to three nights per week.
- Weeks 5-6: Use retinol every other night.
- Week 7+ : Move to nightly application if tolerated.
As you can see, there’s no need to rush. Start slow, and work your way up.
Can I Mix Retinol With a Facial Moisturizer?
The answer is “no” you should not mix retinol with a facial moisturiser. Most moisturizers contain ingredients that can hinder the absorption of retinol. That means your skin isn’t getting as much benefit from the retinol as it could be.
Let’s say you’ve decided to try out retinol for the first time. You pick up your favorite facial moisturizer and add a retinol serum to your routine. After applying both, you head to bed for a good night’s rest.
Using products with retinol and applying moisturizer directly afterward is like trying to drink a milkshake through a coffee stirrer. Sure, you’ll get some into your mouth, but most of it’s going to leak out around the sides.
When you want to reap the full benefits of retinol, apply it BEFORE your moisturizer at night. You’ll absorb significantly more retinol and eliminate wasted product.
As you learned above, retinol works by accelerating skin cell turnover. Think of your moisturizer as the “next level” of your skin.
Using retinol alone is great, but you can get even better results if you use it in conjunction with a high-quality moisturizer. You’ll still get all of the benefits of accelerated cell turnover while providing extra hydration.
Everyone’s skin is different, and some people with sensitive skin conditions may never be able to use retinol more than two to three times per week. That’s okay!
How Often Should I Use Retinol?
Skin type also plays a role in how often I should use retinol on my face. Here’s how frequency may vary depending on your skin type.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, you’ll likely want to stick to the slower introduction schedule.
Start by using retinol twice per week. Then, if your skin tolerates it well, you can slowly increase frequency.
Signs that you should slow down include persistent redness, skin tightness, or excessive flaking.
The goal is to build consistency, not speed through the process.
Dry Skin
Dry skin can also benefit from a slower introduction to retinol.
Like sensitive skin, you should start with twice-weekly use. However, dry skin benefits from using moisturizing products alongside retinol.
During the adjustment phase, retinol can intensify dryness. Using a hydrating moisturizer before or after retinol can ease this discomfort.
People with dry skin often find every-other-night use to be a sweet spot with minimal dry skin concerns.
Normal Skin
Normal skin tends to tolerate retinol quite well. Many people with normal skin can eventually use retinol four or even five nights per week.
However, it’s still a good idea to introduce retinol slowly if you haven’t used it in the past.
Oily Skin
Oily skin may not need as much time to adjust to retinol.
Some people with oily skin are able to use retinol nightly right from the start. However, your skin will thank you if you start slow rather than rush the process.
How Often Should I Use Retinol Serum?
Perhaps the most commonly asked question is how often should I use retinol serum? For the most part, you’ll follow the same schedule as you would with other types of retinol. Start slow, then increase how often you use retinol serum as your skin adjusts.
Look no further than the Smooth Sailing Retinol Serum by Eight Saints. This silky serum helps support smoother-looking skin with continued use.
Apply the Smooth Sailing Retinol Serum two to three times per week after cleansing when you first start using it. As your skin builds tolerance, you can slowly increase frequency.
Remember, always listen to your skin and let its reaction dictate how quickly you can increase usage.
How Do I Combine Retinol?
Retinol doesn’t have to be used alone. In fact, it works best when it’s combined with a carefully selected collection of skin care products.
Here’s an example of what a nightly routine might look like:
- Gentle Cleanser
- Smooth Sailing Retinol Serum
- Smooth Sailing Retinol Cream
- Smooth Sailing Retinol Eye Cream
By layering these products, you support your skin’s ability to treat problem areas while keeping it hydrated and happy.
Many skin care experts recommend combining retinol with skin care products containing hydrating ingredients. This can help your skin feel more comfortable and make you more likely to use it consistently.
What Is Skin Purging?
Some new retinol users get discouraged because they experience skin purging. But what is skin purging? Skin purging is the process of underlying congestion flaring up as a result of increased cell turnover.
You might notice this happening as small breakouts on your skin within the first few weeks of use. Don’t worry, though; it’s typically not a cause for concern.
If you experience skin purging, you will likely notice it in areas where you typically get breakouts. It won’t happen across your entire face. Skin purging also improves with time.
Once your skin adjusts to your new routine, you should notice breakouts, reduce and eventually stop altogether.
Think of skin purging as a necessary evil that comes with a huge payoff. As your skin adjusts and gets healthier, old breakouts have a way of making themselves known.
If skin purging upsets you too much, you can always take a step back in your routine and slow down. Once your skin clears up a bit, you can start introducing retinol again at a slower pace.
Again, patience is key.
What Is a Retinol Burn?
Retinol burn is similar to skin purging in that it sounds a lot worse than it actually is. A retinol burn occurs when too much retinol irritates the skin. However, it doesn’t actually cause burning.
Signs your skin is experiencing a retinol burn include:
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Extreme redness
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Peeling
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Skin that feels like it stings/burns
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Tightness
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Increased skin sensitivity
If your skin starts reacting this way, take a step back. Reduce how often you’re using retinol and focus on getting your skin moisturized and comfortable again.
Using too much retinol too soon is the most common cause of retinol burns.
Again, this is why learning how often should I use retinol is so critical!
Why Does Smooth Sailing Retinol Cream Makes a Difference?
Just because you start using retinol doesn’t mean your skin won’t feel comfortable. Using a cream like the Smooth Sailing Retinol Cream can make all the difference.
Formulated with skin-loving ingredients to help boost hydration while you wear retinol, this product is ideal for dry skin sufferers and those who want extra skin comfort.
When used together, the Smooth Sailing Retinol Serum and Smooth Sailing Retinol Cream help support cell turnover while preventing your skin from feeling dry or tight.
Can I Use Retinol in the Eye Area?
Though many people start using retinol on their forehead, cheeks, and chin, but they often forget about the eyes. Using a product designed for the eye area can offer increased benefit.
The eye area is one of the first places many people notice wrinkles and other signs of aging. That doesn’t mean you should skip using retinol here too.
That’s where the Smooth Sailing Retinol Eye Cream comes in.
Use the Smooth Sailing Retinol Eye Cream just like you would any other facial cream. Start by applying it two to three times per week, then work your way up as your skin allows.
Can You Tell When You’re Ready To Use Retinol More Often?
Eventually, you’ll wonder how long it takes to build up to nightly retinol usage. The truth is you’ll know when you’re ready.
If you can apply retinol two or three times per week for several weeks and don’t experience severe dryness or irritation afterwards, you’re probably ready to increase frequency.
Your skin will feel comfortable and hydrated, and you won’t experience major irritation or dry skin patches after washing your face.
Pay attention to how your skin feels when slowly increasing how often you use retinol. If you experience no (or minimal) side effects, you can likely handle a little more.
Can You Use Too Much Retinol?
New retinol users are often worried about using too little. However, using too little is never as bad as using too much.
Using retinol three nights a week for several years will always outshine someone who used it nightly and quit after a month because their skin was mad at them.
Know your skin type and sensitivities, then build a schedule around what you know to be true. Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to retinol.
Patience and consistency are the most important aspects of your retinol journey.
The Bottom Line: How Often Should I Use Retinol?
Start slow. Use it two to three times per week for several weeks. After that, you can work your way up to using retinol every other night or nightly as your skin allows.
If you stick with the Eight Saints Smooth Sailing Retinol bundle and introduce it into your routine slowly, you’ll build a permanent place for it in your skin care routine in no time.
Try it for yourself and see why so many others have enjoyed faster results with smoother skin using Smooth Sailing Retinol by Eight Saints today!