HOW TO INCORPORATE A RETINOID INTO YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

We've all heard about the retinoid family of skincare ingredients, but the real questions are, should you use one and how do you start using one? This will depend on many factors including your individual skin concerns, if you've ever used one previously, how long it's been since you have used one, if you're using any Rx skincare and if you're using any exfoliating acids, enzymes or scrubs in your routine. Note: If you're pregnant or nursing, please speak to your phsycyian before using a retinoid.

First, you want to select the right one for you. Some of my favorites are listed here and if you need help deciding where to begin, email me.

Here is my recommend retinoid introduction protocol:

Week 1: once a week
Week 2: 2x a week
Week 3: 3x a week
Week 4: 4x a week
Week 5 and beyond: 4-7x a week depending on your skincare plan

If you experience excessive redness, peeling or burning of the skin, back off and double the introduction above as follows: 

Weeks 1-2: 1x a week

Weeks 3-4: 2x a week

Weeks 5-6: 3x a week

Weeks 6-8: 4x week

HELPFUL TIPS:

Use your retinoid on alternating nights, not consecutive nights until everything is working well.

Do not overuse the suggested dosage--more is not going to give you better results faster, trust me.

Do not place your retinoid within 1/4 inch of your eyes, the corners of the nose or corners of the mouth.

Apply your eye cream BEFORE your retinoid. This acts as a barrier and helps prevent it from migrating into your eye area. I recommend that all of my clients apply their eye products FIRST before serums and actives, both AM and PM, to prevent irritation.

Only use your retinoid at night. 

Do use a moisturizer on top of your retinoid after it has absorbed for a few minutes. Reparative Moisture Emulsion and SHEALD recovery balm work well here.

Don’t introduce two new actives (such as retinoid + AHA) at the same time.

If you're already on other exfoliating actives, use these on alternating nights or eliminate while you acclimate and slowly reintroduce when you’re ready.

Use the combination LED panel on clean skin up to 5x weekly to help speed healing and destroy any bacteria from breakouts/purging.

Some peeling, flaking, redness is normal and can be expected while you go through the acclimation period. Stopping and starting again will only make you go though this period again so you must press on, friends. 

You can try a super gentle enzyme mask to help digest the dead skin without disrupting new skin to help you get over the hump. To do this, simply apply a non-granular enzyme mask such as Vital C Enzyme Mask or Enzymo-spherides Peeling Cream for 5-ish minutes to cleansed skin. If it doesn’t burn or sting, you can leave it on for 7-10 minutes. After gently rinsing, follow this up with Hydra-Cool Serum and Reparative Moisture Emulsion. Do this enzyme treatment on a day that you haven’t and won’t use tretinoin/retinoid and utilize this combination approximately once a week.

As always, a broad spectrum SPF must be used daily to prevent more damage to your skin and DNA. My favorite sunscreens can be found here.

If you need assistance, email me at: lindsay@theglowshop.co

Disclaimer: I am not a physician or a dietician and I do not intend to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or disorder. Please consult your physician before taking any new supplements or following any of the information in this article. This article is my own opinion and may not be shared, copied or reproduced in any way without written permission.