Dermatologists advise that the earlier you start addressing the signs of aging, the better. Once you enter your 20s and the skin begins to lose its elasticity, early signs of sun damage and aging will start to show. Retinol is a key anti-aging vitamin that can be incorporated at any stage of your skincare journey. However, retinol skincare has the potential to cause irritation and sensitivity, so always use in accordance with the instructions, and closely monitor your skin’s response. Here’s our advice on how to use retinol for optimal results.
How to use retinol
Step 1: Cleanse
Retinol should always be applied onto clean skin. Use a gentle face wash to remove the dirt and impurities of the day, then gently pat the skin dry.
Step 2: Apply a retinol serum
Apply two pumps of your retinol serum to the face and neck, avoiding the eye, outer eye and lip areas. Wait 90 seconds before continuing with your routine. No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate is designed to amplify your other retinol skincare products. Boasting a next-generation retinol complex, it supports surface skin renewal from the very first application, working through the night to deliver visibly younger and healthier-looking skin by morning.
Step 3: Apply a retinol eye cream
Dot a retinol eye cream around the eyes and gently blend into the eye contours to give the skin a firm, lifted, hydrated, and brightened appearance. No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream blends our most targeted form of retinol with our famous Matrixyl 3000+™ collagen peptide technology to target the appearance of 7 key signs of aging around the eyes: fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, dryness, lack of firmness, dark circles and puffiness.
Step 4: Apply a retinol night cream
To finish off your retinol skincare routine, massage a retinol night cream in small upward circles over the face and neck. Its powerful formula will leave skin looking and feeling younger, firmer, hydrated, and more evenly toned by morning. No7 Pure Retinol Night Repair Cream combines the power of pure retinol with soothing shea butter and No7’s anti-aging peptide technology, Matrixyl 3000+, to help reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
Step 5: Use an SPF moisturizer the next morning
As retinol can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, it’s essential to apply a day cream with SPF during the day. No7 Early Defense, Protect & Perfect, Lift & Luminate, and Restore & Renew are all infused with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 to defend and protect skin from harmful UV rays.
How often should you use retinol?
It’s important to introduce retinol skincare into your routine slowly, evaluating your skin’s reaction and responding appropriately. Though retinol can be quite harsh on the skin (with possible side effects including redness, irritation, skin tightness, and dryness), No7’s retinol products deliver this pure retinol in an intelligent, slow-release oil encapsulation that helps to reduce common irritating side effects and is proven to be more effective than retinol derivatives. Start by applying your retinol skincare every three nights and watch carefully for any signs of irritation. It’s not uncommon to experience some short-lived dryness, peeling, irritation, or redness initially. As the skin builds up tolerance, start to use it every other night. Eventually, when skin is comfortable and well-adjusted to retinol, begin to use retinol skincare every evening. It could take 4 weeks to build to nightly application, but always monitor your skin.
When to stop using retinol
It’s recommended to avoid retinol or other retinoids while pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not apply to broken or irritated skin. We do not recommend using facial hair removal products or methods while using retinol. Do not use our retinol product with other products containing retinol, retinoic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), prescription acne medicine, or skin peel regimen.