Does Retinol make your face itch
William Harris
Updated on March 31, 2026
People who use retinols commonly experience dry and irritated skin, especially after using a new product. Other side effects may include redness, itchiness, and peeling skin. These side effects are temporary and will likely improve within a few weeks as your skin gets used to the product.
Why does retinol make my face itch?
Despite dermatologists describing retinol as a skin-care star, it can come with an unpleasant side effect: retinol burn. Also known as retinol irritation, it’s essentially what happens when your face can’t tolerate the powerful ingredient and subsequently devolves into a flaky, peeling, red mess.
How long does it take skin to adjust to retinol?
“Clinically, we’ve seen that it takes about three weeks for skin cells to adapt to retinoic acid and begin building their tolerance,” says Engelman, which is why some degree of irritation is totally normal early on.
Is retinol itchy?
What Are the Other Side Effects of Retinol? Dr. Solomon says you may also experience the following: Itchiness.What are the side effects of retinol?
With retinoids, it’s often a “worse-before-better” type of situation. Typical side effects include dryness, tightness, peeling, and redness — especially when first starting out. These side effects usually subside after two to four weeks until the skin acclimates.
Should I use retinol every night?
Retinol is best applied at night, since it can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. When you do go outside, be sure to use sunscreen to protect your face. Also, keep in mind that you don’t need to use retinol on a daily basis for it to be effective at treating acne. Two to three times per week may be enough.
What happens when you stop retinol?
Do the results last if you stop using retinol? Yes, but most dermatologists say you’ll want to resume using it for optimal results. “Retinols help turn back the clock. If you have to stop them (for example while pregnant), your skin is still better from the time you were using them,” explains Dr.
Should I moisturize after retinol?
The best product you can use in conjunction with retinol, according to Dr. Zeichner, is a moisturizer, which can help hydrate skin and reduce the risk of irritation from retinol. “Some people even prefer to mix their retinol with a moisturizing cream to dilute it out,” he says.Can retinol ruin your skin?
“If you’re overusing your retinol, or if you’re using a retinol that’s too strong for you, it can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness, which may have led to retinol’s association with skin thinning,” she says.
Is it possible to be allergic to retinol?Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Article first time published onHow long should I leave retinol on my face?
The Retinol Mistake We Had No Idea We Were Making But one such ‘rule’ we weren’t aware of until now, is that retinol needs a decent amount of time to absorb. According to skincare guru and best-selling author, Caroline Hirons, you should allow 20 plus minutes before moving on to the next step of your routine.
What can you not mix with retinol?
Don’t Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol. As for benzoyl peroxide and retinol, they cancel each other out.
Can I exfoliate while using retinol?
A: Because retinol and tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retin-A and Renova) do not exfoliate.
Does retinol make you age faster?
No, it’s not. It’s just an adjustment process. For the record, no study proved that there’s been any skin damage or signs of ‘faster aging’ caused solely by retinol.
Why does my skin look worse after using retinol?
In theory, retinol makes your skin cell turnover faster. The increased cell turnover temporarily sloughs off more dead skin cells. This creates a lag time before new, healthy cells come to the surface of your skin. Your new skin is exposed before it’s ready, and redness or discoloration, and irritation is the result.
Does retinol actually do anything?
Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.
Can I use retinol on my neck?
Retinoids, which are topical vitamin A-based derivatives, may help reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production. If you use retinoids on your face, extend the treatment area to your neck and chest at night.
Can I put retinol under my eyes?
Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there’s no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.
Does retinol go on before or after moisturizer?
Quick Tips for Incorporating Retinol into Your Beauty Routine. Mix your retinol with your moisturizer, or apply your moisturizer first and then your retinol. Always use sunscreen the morning after you apply retinol. Your skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight, so it’s important to protect it.
What age should you use retinol?
There are no set rules on how old you should be to use retinol. For anti-aging purposes, you can start preventatively in your 20s. While over-the-counter retinol can help mild acne, many people with breakouts will need a prescription.
Do you need to wash retinol off in the morning?
And washing your face is necessary to remove any retinol or AHAs you wore overnight. Bottom line: Not washing your face in the morning is a mistake. A thorough a.m. cleanse ensures your products will work like they’re supposed to.
What is a good beginner retinol?
- L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Night Serum with Pure Retinol. $28.51 at amazon.com.
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum. $14.10 at amazon.com.
- The INKEY List Retinol Anti-Aging Serum. $9.99 at sephora.com.
- Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin. $111. at Nordstrom. $111. at Amazon.
What does retinol purge look like?
Purging is slightly different, appearing on the skin mostly as blackheads or small skin-coloured bumps just under the surface of the skin. But it is also possible for purging to cause similar spots to a breakout, too.
Which comes first niacinamide or retinol?
If you’re using these ingredients in separate products, it’s recommended to apply niacinamide first and to then follow with retinol. Applying niacinamide first can help protect your skin from the effects of retinol.
Can I use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night?
Though it’s perfectly fine to use vitamin C and retinol or retinoids in your skincare routine, each is better suited to a different time of day. Vitamin C is best used in the morning, while retinoids are better for your nighttime skincare routine.
Can I use retinol with hyaluronic acid?
Good news: Retinol and hyaluronic acid actually have a synergistic effect. “They can be combined so that the benefits of retinol can be achieved more easily with concomitant use of hyaluronic acid, which helps to prevent retinol irritation,” says Hartman.