Active ingredients and their benefits in skincare: retinol

Retinol is an over-the-counter vitamin A derivative used topically and is one of the most effective active ingredients for treating and preventing signs of aging.

Benefits of retinol in skincare

effectively treats signs of aging by reducing fine lines
smooths the skin's texture
reduces the visibility of enlarged pores
evens out skin tone and reduces pigmentation changes
activates the skin's own renewal process

How to start using retinol?

The use of retinol and other retinoids, such as retinal, is started gradually.

Products with low retinol concentrations can be started by adding the product to the skincare routine once a day. But if your skin is sensitive to new ingredients, we recommend following the same schedule as for stronger retinol products.

The use of products with medium and high retinol concentrations should always be started gradually, even if you have previously used retinol in lower concentrations.

Start by adding a product containing retinol or retinal to your skincare routine two non-consecutive evenings per week. Continue this for two weeks.
The next step is to increase usage to three non-consecutive evenings per week. Continue this for another two weeks.
After that, if you want, you can increase usage to every other day, and if your skin tolerates it, after the adjustment period, to every day.

It is always best to start using retinol with lower concentrations and then gradually move to higher concentrations. If you start directly with stronger concentrations, the skin can become irritated and react strongly to retinol use; this can appear as redness and peeling.

Tingling caused by retinol

The tingling sensation on the skin caused by retinol immediately after application is completely normal and disappears quickly once the product is absorbed by the skin. However, if the tingling continues for a long time or if you notice other skin symptoms, stop using the product and contact a dermatologist.

You can only find your skin's tolerance to retinol strength and usage frequency by trying it. If your skin reacts strongly when you increase usage, it may be good to try extending the interval between uses. Using retinol only 2-3 times a week still provides many benefits. But to maintain the benefits of retinol, usage must continue regularly.

Who is retinol suitable for?

Everyone can benefit from using retinol, but a more important question is at what strength it should be added to the skincare routine. How much retinol your skin needs depends on the condition of your skin and its tolerance for use. Retinol can be started as early as 25-30 years old, especially if you have liver spots or crow's feet. If you start in your thirties, retinol also helps prevent signs of aging, which is always more effective than trying to repair damage afterward. Retinol is also very useful for acne-prone skin, as it promotes skin renewal and reduces acne scars.

Retinol for beginners as well as dry and sensitive skin

Concentration: 0.01%-0.03%. At low concentrations, use together with other antioxidant-rich active ingredients during the day; retinol has been shown to effectively combat air pollution. Just remember to always finish your skincare routine with at least SPF 30.

Retinol is scientifically proven effective even in small concentrations; already 0.01% or more provides positive effects on signs of skin aging, reduces the visibility of pores, and improves the overall condition of the skin.

For beginners and sensitive skin, other forms of vitamin A, such as retinaldehyde, may be more suitable.

We recommend:[K-SECRET] SEOUL 1988 Serum : Retinal Liposome 2% + Black Ginseng

Retinol for uneven skin tone and blemishes

Concentration: 0.03%-0.3%
If you suffer from uneven skin tone or texture or acne, we recommend trying retinol with a strength of about 0.2% as part of your skincare routine. Start using it two non-consecutive evenings per week and increase usage as your skin’s tolerance improves.

Retinol combined with other active ingredients can provide extra effect to skincare. The safest way is to choose a product that already contains an appropriate amount of two different active ingredients, such as salicylic acid and retinol. It is possible to combine these, but it is good to consider your skin’s individual tolerance.

We recommend:[Innisfree] Gentle Retinol Salicylic Acne Serum

Retinol for wrinkles and very uneven skin tone

Concentration: 0.3%-1%
Those who suffer from deep wrinkles and severely uneven skin tone can benefit from retinol in high concentrations, either in cream or serum form. Products with high concentrations of retinol and retinal can provide quick visible benefits for skin types that have not achieved desired results from lower concentrations.

We recommend:[Dr. Different] VITALIFT-A Fortessimo

Can you use retinol in the summer?

Retinol is a fantastic ingredient in your skincare routine year-round! You can use it both summer and winter, as you get the best results when it is a regular part of your skincare routine. However, always remember to combine retinol with sunscreen, as sunscreen supports the results retinol provides and protects your skin.

The use of retinol always starts cautiously, but the goal is to use it once a day to maintain its benefits.

With which active ingredients can retinol be combined?

Although retinol is an excellent ingredient with anti-aging properties, improving signs of aging requires more than just one solution. Retinol is recommended to be used together with other complementary anti-aging and antioxidant ingredients, such as niacinamide.

Retinol works well when used together with, for example, the following substances:

peptides
ceramides
hyaluronic acid
niacinamide

Peptides and retinol should be combined in the evening, as retinol promotes the absorption of peptides and thereby strengthens the skin, and peptides also effectively hydrate the skin, which helps if retinol has a drying effect on your skin.

A common misconception is that retinol cannot be combined with exfoliating AHAs, such as glycolic acid, or BHAs, such as salicylic acid. In reality, retinol does not have exfoliating properties like AHA and BHA acids, and studies have shown that retinol’s anti-aging properties are enhanced when combined with the aforementioned acids in the right concentrations. The low pH of the exfoliating acids also does not neutralize retinol’s effect.

Another persistent misconception about retinol is that it cannot be combined with vitamin C, which is based on a misunderstanding of pH balance and acidity. Vitamin C (especially ascorbic acid) requires a low pH to remain stable or no pH at all if the formula contains no water. The result is a more acidic formula, but studies have shown that acidity does not counteract retinol’s effect; the skin’s natural pH is also acidic, and retinol naturally occurs in our skin. Instead, studies have shown that the combination of vitamins (both retinol, a vitamin A derivative, and vitamin C) creates better conditions for retinol by stabilizing its environment and thus prolonging its effect. An antioxidant serum used together with retinol can therefore enhance the effect of the retinol product rather than diminish it, as previous misconceptions believed. At high concentrations, however, we recommend alternating the use of retinol and vitamin C by using one in the morning and the other in the evening.

Can you use retinol during the day?

Besides the myths about combining the mentioned retinoids and active ingredients, one of the most persistent misconceptions is that retinol or retinal cannot be used during the daytime.

However, this is not true, as skincare products with retinoids can very well be used as part of the morning routine, as long as you also use sunscreen with at least SPF 30.

Studies have shown that retinol as well as vitamins A and C are generally stable in the sun, provided that sunscreen is applied afterward.

See our full range of retinol products