Best Retinol: How to Choose and Start One
Retinol is the most evidence backed anti-aging ingredient, but the best one for you is the strength your skin can tolerate consistently. Here is how to choose and introduce a retinol without wrecking your barrier.
Key takeaways
- Beginners do well starting with a low strength retinol.
- Consistency at a tolerable strength beats a high strength you cannot stick with.
- Pair retinol with moisturizer and always use sunscreen by day.
- Expect gradual results over months, not days.
Choosing a strength
Retinol comes in a range of strengths. If you are new, start low, around a beginner concentration, used a few nights per week. You can move up over time. A higher percentage is not better if it leaves your skin red and peeling, since you will end up using it less.
How to start
Introduce retinol slowly. Apply a pea sized amount to dry skin two or three nights a week, then increase frequency as your skin adjusts over several weeks. Follow with moisturizer to buffer irritation. The so called retinol uglies, some dryness and flaking early on, usually settle as skin adapts.
- Start low strength, two to three nights a week
- Pea sized amount on dry skin at night
- Moisturize after to reduce irritation
- Build up frequency gradually
Protect your results
Retinol can make skin more sun sensitive, and sun undoes anti-aging progress, so daily sunscreen is essential. Give any retinol at least a couple of months of consistent use before judging results, which build slowly.
Frequently asked questions
Start with a low strength product a few nights a week, then build up. Tolerable and consistent beats strong and irritating.
Some dryness and flaking is common early on as skin adjusts. Buffer with moisturizer and reduce frequency if needed.
Yes. Retinol can increase sun sensitivity, and daily sunscreen protects your results.
References and Further Reading
How we researched this: Our editorial team reviewed current clinical research and guidance from independent health authorities before writing and reviewing this article. You can verify the science yourself through the sources below.
