How often should I use retinol?Updated a year ago
How often you should use retinol truly depends on your skin's reaction to the product you're using and the quality of the retinol.
For example, our Enzyme-Active Retinol Serum contains retinal (yep, with the "a"), which is one of the gentlest forms of retinol you can use while still experiencing real results. You'll probably be able to use it daily within a shorter time period than with other products.
When using any retinol product, it can take a few weeks to adjust. The goal is to work up to daily use, however, it's important to pay attention to how your skin is reacting and take it at your own pace.
Here's a general guideline on when to use retinol:
- First two weeks - Use retinol every other night.
- Weeks 3-4 - Try using retinol for two nights on, then one night off to give your skin a bit of a breather.
- Weeks 4+ - If your skin is still doing great, try using retinol every night. If you ever start experiencing side effects, such as dryness, peeling, or irritated skin, it's completely fine to back off for a night or two and resume using retinol in a few days.