Dermatologist Retinoid Tips: How to Start Using Retinol With Minimal Irritation 

Note for me: •start with a .1-.3 strength over the counter retinol. Use every single night before moving to a higher strength. •start with what you like putting on your skin (serum, thick cream, etc.) This can take trial and error. •eliminate skin care actives for now like vitamin c, fruit enzymes, scrubs. •starter routine: gentle cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen and retinoid. •use a pea sized amount of half of your fingertip. This may not feel like enough but it is. If can stick toilet paper on your face after applying, you applied too much. •start with using retinoid on clean, dried skin. If this is too irritating, you can put retinoid on after moisturizer. If you wash your face and let it dry for 15-30 minutes then can apply retinoid. It’s good to apply moisturizer on again after applying retinoid. •if applying to dry skin, can apply vasoline to corners of mouth and nose and eyes to limit irritation. •week 1+2: apply retinoid Monday and Thursday. If no signs of irritation, then next week can increase frequency of application. If small amount of irritation/ stinging/ little flaky then stay at 2 times per week. If experiencing a lot of irritation/ super red skin and flakiness, stop application until skin clears and then start 1 day a week. Week 3+4: apply Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If no or minimal irritation, can start using every other day. If you have irritation, go back to 2 days a week. If too much irritation, back off retinoid and then restart at the frequency where you weren’t having irritation. • week 5 and on: use retinoid every other day. •work up to using retinoid every night. •once using every night, can keep that same skin routine or you can use a stronger retinoid after bottles finished. You can then start to add vitamin c back in or exfoliant if you really need it. Only add back in what your current skincare isn’t giving you. •you may want to moisturize in the morning and night. •make sure to use sunscreen during the day.

The one tip my dermatologist told me that might be helpful for people is when increasing from a lower strength retinoid to a higher strength one, stay on the lower strength and add the higher strength once or twice a week to start. Other than that, what you laid out is far more helpful than anything I've been told by a dermatologist. I always thought that I had to push through the irritation and keep applying the retinoid to irritated skin so I wouldn't lose my progress. It's great to have permission to stop and let my skin heal before going back to the last tolerated frequency.

Girl for whatever reason the skincare gods blessed me without having that many side effects when starting tretinoin, which was a surprise because I have rosacea. I use azaleic acid 2x a day and tret at night. I think my skin has improved a lot!!

I have wanted to start using retinol for a year now. After watching your video describing prescription retinoids, i decided to start 0.05% prescription tretinoin in October. I got through the dry skin irritation phase for a few weeks using your tips! My skin feels softer and I am slowly seeing positive changes. Now, I have an established night time routine! 💓 best tips: using more moisturizer than usual when starting out, starting once per week for two weeks, then twice per week, etc

Love your videos, Sam! Your skin is so stunning! Thanks for posting all of these educational videos. ❤

At 35y old finally took the accutane treatment that cleared up my acne and it has not come back in 7yrs. It took 8 months but was so worth it. Just wanted to say that patience really is key with your skin care, there are no quick fixes. Now at 42yrs old started to work on the scars the acne left behind. Had my first session of microneedling a few weeks ago and started a good skincare routine (cleanser, moisturiser, spf 50, adapalene every other day on the evenings). Thank you for all the dermatologists who give us this awesome informative content free of charge!

Keep the tips coming!! Your videos are very informative.

LOVE this video so much! Thank you for all the very helpful information!

Such articulate and well informative video ! No substitute of a specialist doctor ❤

Incredible video! Very easy and clear instructions. Thank you!

Love the 1/2 of the fingertip example! I am an esthetician and experience that a pea size amount can be confusing for some.

The instructions about how much to apply and how it seems like we don’t apply enough but we do- helpful

This is perfect timing! Just got my first prescription!!

Great video. Very clear and straigtforward.

This video is SO helpful. Thank you for being so detailed. I’m excited to use the retinoid I was prescribed a few months ago but have been afraid to use. 😊 Also, I hope you’re enjoying lots of snuggles with your new baby!

The most informative video on RU-vid about retinol ! Thank you

This is 1 of the best guides ive seen. Will be re-referring to this before i use adapalene and tret. Thanks 👍

Incredibly helpful. Thank you!!

Thanks for another great vid, Dr. Sam 🧡. What retinol products/brands do you recommend for dry, sensitive, rosacea prone, and more mature skin?

So informative and helpful. Thank you!

I just started a prescription .005% retinoid to help with acne - after 1 application I had flaky skin around my chin - this video is very helpful as I work to build my skin’s tolerance! I might try the sand which method for awhile. Thank you!

This is the best explanation of retinoids that I've ever heard. Thank you 😊

Awesome! Thank you for this so needed a guide to when to apply for the next few months 💪! I started a month ago with once a week. Now that I'm in month 2 twice a week and feel light to mild side effects, lots of flaky skin. I have sensitive skin so going very slow it works.

this is the best retinoid video on the internet

Hi Dr Ellis, I’m new to your channel and find you super interesting and educational. Would you mind doing a video that concentrates on reviewing ideal retinoids for certain age groups. Those starting out in their 20’s and 30’s, then those that are particularly effective for people in their late 30’s and 40’s, then 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I’m in my 50’s and haven’t used a prescription retinoid and am interested to. Thanks for the quality educational service.

So much useful information. Thanks!

I started with the Loreal retinol. After I built my tolerance, I was then prescribed Tretinoin (acne- stopped birth control). I am on week 6. I have oily skin, and I haven't experienced flaking or peeling or redness; however, I had a terrible purge! Even so, my acne cycle is very short. It feels like within days my zits clear up. My purging consisted of huge and painful zits, btw. I use it every night- 0.025 in the gel form.

Much appreciate the tips! On a retinoid journey myself and it has been a smooth road for 16 weeks now. Have been using retinol, and I feel lucky that I have experienced minimal irritation and I have been able to move to a higher strength and 6 nights a week application (1 day saved for exfoliating acids). The results are slow but promising though - razor cuts tend to heal faster, more glowy skin (can even skip makeup or just use a tinted moisturiser), and reduction of fine lines, and were noticeable after 12 weeks of use. Results may vary from one person to another, but this urged my mum and sis to hop onto their own retinoid journey too. :) Only thing is, the back of my hands had the retinisation flakiness (as I tend to use remaining skincare product from my routine on the hands). Quite funny that my hands are more sensitive than my face lol. This has subsided though and quite enjoying the feel of the hands as if I'm back in my late 20s. XD ...would like to try tretinoin so a visit to the derm is in order.

Thank you for this. I wanted to incorporate retinoid in my skinscare, but was worried about mixing w/my other skin care products. I found this to be helpful & feel more comfortable in starting thank you.❤

I'm so happy I found this channel. I've been looking for a channel that goes in depth into retinol and prescription strength retinol. I've been using retinol for about 2 years and started with the inkey list and the ordinary. I've now worked up to acne free adapelene which I love. I wanted to ask your opinion. Should I stay on adapelene for anti-aging and pigmentation or try tretinion? I'm 43 and have pretty tough skin. I do suffer with millia though which adapelene has helped. I'm not sure which retinol is right for me. I'm so excited about this channel 😁

Yes I am a 24F with naturally pretty good skin, I moisturize as often as I can, wear sunscreen/avoid excessive sun exposure on the regular, and eventually heard of the benefits of retinol and skin preservation. I started using retinol last summer at the end of the day, i put a very thin layer over my face and neck every night for about a week. Then I started noticing that I had slight itching and irritation, and I was afraid that I would damage my skin. I started it because I know that with skin, prevention and preservation is key to long term youthfulness. I really appreciate your professional educated take on the product, so that I feel more confident in incorporating it back into my skincare routine! I'm happy I kept my little retinol bottle.

*W.. Briefly Explained.. Thank Uh GOrgeOus DOC...* ❤😊❤

I love you so much, your videos are so informative and I can finally say that I’m fully satisfied with my current skincare plan and thanks to you I’m fully prepared for my future skin care as well. I’m so happy that I came across your videos, I put all of your tips in my skincare notes and follow them on a daily basis❤️. The only thing missing is a neck routine, can we apply our Retnoid on our neck to prevent lines and aging, can you please do a video just focusing on neck care. Love your content❤️ thank you!

extremely helpful guide, thanks so much

Thank you Dr Sam. After several visits to my dermatologist and watching countless YT videos, no one EVER mentioned to stop other acids when acclimating to retinoids and I’ve started and stopped multiple times, believing I’m just one of those who will never acclimate. After watching this, I’ve decided to stop my vitamin C and Lactic acid and am giving retinoids another go. 🤞

My dermatologist also gave me a good advice, instead of having it on for the whole night 🌙 at first I just had it on for a few hours and then washed it off, and increased cradually

How did you know Dr. Sam?! I just stopped breastfeeding and my tretinoin came in the mail yesterday. So timely!! 🥰

Cannot thank you enough for making this video.

I had no problems whatsover using retinol and I didn't even ease into it. I did however shed like a lizard for 5 months when starting tret, only to find out a year later that it wasn't me being sensitive to the tret per se but the combination of dry skin, tret AND winter season. Also, slugging is a godsend.

thank you for this information! also you are so pretty!! :)

Your video so informative !

Such a helpful video! Would you recommend avoiding all retinoids (including non-prescription) when trying to conceive? Obviously they’re a big no-no in pregnancy but I’ve seen conflicting advice and haven’t used any retinoids for two years for this reason. I’ve seen some derms say “it’s only for 9 months” forgetting that it can take some women a really long time to get pregnant in the first place 😔

This video answered all of my questions Tysm

These are great tips and Im going to try again..so much I didn’t know

Hi Dr. Ellis. Thank you for such a detailed & well informing video!!! I’m gonna be starting the Night Shift by Stratia by your suggestion on another video. I’ve got very sensitive skin & never used a Retinol before. So your tips & recommendations are very useful. I’ve got a quick question 🙋🏼‍♀️ You suggest removing ALL actives for awhile, is something I didn’t even realize. But does that include Niacinamide as well? Your response would be greatly appreciated.

You are so beautiful! Thank you for the info, I am 21 and want to start tretinoin as a prevention of collagen loss in the skin, so its was very helpful!

So so helpful thank you!!!

That was GREAT!

thanks for this detailed video!~ I recently started tretinoin through curology and kept getting irritation. (i am dealing with hormonal acne in my late 20's after stopping birth control.) I would stop my tretinoin but then start it again after 7 days, but lost confidence in doing so because the cystic painful pimples would start to show up. I was not exactly sure what was going on, and added a bunch of actives with my routine, Vitamin C, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. i was thinking i would need to go on spironolactone and inquired about it with my PCP... but i guess i was having a hard time believing that i did not need a lot of steps in my routine to get me good skin. This really helped me a lot!

Very much appreciated video..... trying to start my retinol journey off right at age 26

I started using Olay regenerist Retinol 24 after watching you drug store holy grail- I hadn’t had a problem with irritation initially despite having rosacea. I believe in one video you mention that you have rosacea and found that it was fine. I used it but avoided the upper/apple of my cheeks where my rosacea flares up. I don’t recall if I started slow or just jumped into nightly use but it was great. However, I ran out for almost a month (I have to order it online cuz it’s unavailable in my town) and finally got another jar. However, I was less cautious since I’d first tried it and forgetting the concern, went full bore and didn’t avoid my most sensitive spots- I had immediate reaction. I skipped a couple days and then when I applied again I avoided my cheeks and I’m back on track, using it nightly without irritation Thank you for the detailed advice- so very helpful

Thanks for the video, You're skin is beautiful. You are too!

Perfect timing. I'm a week and a half into using Tretinoin and my skin is normally nice, but now it's flaky and I'm breaking out

0.1 % Tretinoin is my holly grail, and I would never stop using it till death. Thank you, Dr Ellis. Such an informative video.

Hi!! Thank you for sharing these lovely tips! Can you pls recommend a sunscreen for oily sensitive skin?

Just want to say how helpful your schedule for attacking the first weeks of tretinoin are Dr. Ellis! Again, I'm making the transition from nightly retinol to Tret soon (once I've finished the Paula's Choice 1%) & want to go about it in a smart, informed fashion. I'll definitely remove all actives and bring them back carefully. P.s. bakuchiol isn't an active, right?

I’ve just started using the olay retinol 24 max. Maybe a week ago and my face is full of spots. It’s working! Yaaay!

Great information

I’ve been lucky so far because I started tret 3 weeks ago and I’ve had minor dryness! I wonder if this is because I naturally have oily skin? I’m 31…I’m excited to see some results!

Thank you, Dr. Ellis. When I first started using Tretinoin, I experienced redness and flakey skin, especially around the corners of the eyes and mouth. I found using it every other night and mixing it with a moisturizer really helped. So interesting to know that even over the counter retinol has skin benefits. Have a wonderful day!

This was super helpful and informative! Can I still use my hydrating serums in the same routine as a retinoid? How would this look - cleanse, hydrating serums, let skin dry, retinoid, moisturizer? And where does an exfoliant go in my routine after acclimating to the retinoid?

Love ya Dr Sam!! It’s a finger length for me! Idk my skin is deff weird.

Dr. Sam. Love and appreciate your very informative video. May I know if Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is also an effective form of Vitamin A please?

Thank you! This was presented to well and is the best information I have received re retinoids. Armed and ready to begin again with my tretinoin .025%

Excellent video and exactly the same routine given to me by my derm Dr Anne…I’m still not at nightly but seeing improvement with an OTC retinol for anti ageing, my skin is dry/ combo and sensitive, I actually didn’t think I’d be able to tolerate retinol ever again after a destroyed skin barrier but we worked with gentle simple routine and 6 months on healthy skin and making gains

that was soo informative wow

Thanks for sharing the details. Actually, retinol is one of the key ingredients for anti-aging. Because it helps clear away old cells, retinol will also help treat acne by unclogging blocked pores and unearthing blackheads and whiteheads. It can also help to prevent future acne.

This was really helpful, thank you! I would love a video from you recommending your favorite retinols🙌🏻

Thank you so much for this. I just started tretinoin after using the Avene retrinal every night with no issue and after just one application I'm getting peeling around my mouth and nasal Labeal folds. But, that is part of the journey and I will be using your schedule along with the most basic and moisturizing skin routine to get acclimated to my new prescription.

Thank you so much!! I have started and stopped more then once because of the peeling. Just getting ready to start to add it to my routine again. I will definitely try the sandwich method ❤

I've been using Differin for a year and had amazing results. It took me long time and patience to be able to use it every other night (which is perfect for me) Recently tried tret, I thought it would be easy to adjust, but even with moisturiser underneath, I got loads of dryness and flakiness which didn't seem to go away even after 2 months.. I decided to stop and go back to Differin, also because it way easier and cheaper to get :)

1st day of adapalene!! So excited for this journey hehe thanks for the great tips ❤

VERY HELPFUL

Thank you so much for all this information! What kind of moisturizer do you recommend? I put a vitamin C moisturizer and it burned so bad.

Thank you, Dr. Sam I appreciate this video, it was very informative. I would like to start with a Retinol product. I'm currently using RegimA products. I have been told numerous of times not to use any other products in conjuction with RegimA products, I'm sure the reason but could you tell me if this is true?

How close to your eyes can you use the retinol? Also, the skin on my arms is thinning and I can see my veins. Will a retinol help with that? Or something else. Great video!

Any recommendations on a drugstore brand to start with? I really like how you know the science behind ingredients and if they've actually. been properly tested. I know the common ones are L'oreal and Olay (but the Olay one doesn't state the percentage). Thanks!

Thank you! that's very informative. I'll try out with 1.7% gravich retinol

For starters I recommend the Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol. Super gentle and very moisturizing!. It has changed my skin for the better and it is super affordable in comparison to most other retinols!

thanks for your videos! what is your opinon about MICRO CORING? THANKS

I've been using a prescription retinoid for almost a year, but I still watch videos like this one, just to see if what I'm doing is OK. I use the brand Retirides, have you heard of it? I live in Spain so maybe it's only known here. It smells faintly of roses, but it hasn't irritated my skin at all.

Unfortunately, as for now there isn't any afordable fragrance free retinol on the market for me. I wanted to buy Loreal retinol but it isn't available on the market. So little fragrance free retinols in my country. I have a question about acids. Is retinol enough or should you also use acids for cell turnover? Like your videos much. Greetings

I watched a lot of videos about retinols, by several different dermatologists and they all warn about redness and irritation and peeling/flaking. When I felt was informed enough I bought some L’Oreal revitalift retinol night cream. I used it and then was going to wait a week. To my surprise I had zero irritation or redness. I went ahead and skipped a day, then on the 3rd night I used it again and again no irritation or redness. I used it the next night and still no irritation or redness. I’ve had a little bit of slight peeling around my chin area but that’s all. I used to think I had very sensitive skin but I guess I was wrong 🤷‍♀️ I think I’ll be using it every night from now on.

Thanks for the video!!! I’ve been using the l’oréal .3% retinol twice a week and have been seeing such great results! How would you recommend going about incorporating actives (aha/bha) back into your skincare routine when your skin finally comes to tolerate retinol every night? And how would you recommend layering these products?

Is there a certain moisturizer brand you recommend for before and/or after the retinol to help prevent peeling when first starting?

So much great info here. Thank you! Does sunscreen go on before the retinoid and moisturizer - or what order do those three need to go in?

Thank you for making such a practical and informative video! I have 1%retinol serum I use for my body, so I thougt I'll do a patch test on the side of my cheek for a few days, just to see what happens. To my surprise, nothing happened. Is it possible I tolerate retinol so well? Should I test for longer? Can my product be insufficient? I'm in a pickle, I'd be grateful for anyones thoughts. :)

What is your opinion on switching the moisturiser with a shea butter when using retinol?

the thing that most affects me, after being past trough all the other effects, after using tretinoin seasonally for ten years and now trying to incorporate it daily, is the dryness at the chick bone right under the eyes. the skin feel so tight that sometimes a smile makes it feel like its gonna rip apart kkk sounds exaggerated, but its true, feels like paper and im more at the only side. the way light reflects looks amazing, though.

Mommy glow... thank you for such informative info. I was thinking of leaping into the agency customization that does include tretinoin. What are your thoughts

Just found you doc. Thanks so much

Thanks Doc! Just curious if you’d recommend using Omnilux contour while using tretinoin?

Hello Dr. Sam , new subscruber here first time I watch your content, I have a question is it okey to apply retinoid adapalene 3-4× a week permanently. By the way I dont have any irritation or any bad reaction on my skin. Thank you

Are there any over the counter or prescription retinoid that are pregnancy/ breast feeding safe? Love your videos!!

Hi Dr. Sam!! I work nightshift: when do you recommend using a retinol - apply at night before going into work, or in the morning when I am about to go to bed? Thanks, and always appreciate your input! :)

I’ve been on tretinoin for over a year three times a week at night. My skin was looking pretty nice until I incorporated a vitamin c serum in the morning. I’m not sure if the acne on my chin will subside or if I should just stop the vitamin c. I know it’s very beneficial. Acne has always been an issue and I’m almost 40. So annoying. I love all of your information. Thank you for all you do.

Hi, Dr. Ellis! Thank you for sharing your tips and tricks! I’m about to begin my tretinoin journey and this was very helpful! May you offer some things we can do or some products/ingredients that are good to keep the irritation down if that does occur? Thank you! Many laughs and smiles to you! Have a cheerful day! 😄

Thank you so much.🥰

Hi Dr Sam. Great inormation. I've been using Tretinoin slowly .05 in Dec. I have not had side effects but not sure I'm applying correctly. I use my Calecim pigment solution first, then tret, then other products like growth factors or copper peptides or argerline. Is it ok to layer on other products after tret?

Do you recommend stopping the buffering at any point if you’re tolerating it well several times per week?