Stop sabotaging your Retinol.

The problem may not be retinol itself—it could be how you're using it.

Retinol has become one of the best-known active ingredients in skincare routines. It's often sought after by those who want to improve texture, the appearance of fine lines, skin tone evenness, and signs of aging. But it has also gained notoriety for another reason: burning, peeling, dryness, and that feeling that the skin "can't take it anymore."

In many cases, discomfort arises because the person starts too quickly, uses excessive amounts, combines several strong active ingredients in the same night, or simply doesn't give the skin time to adapt.

This doesn't mean that all irritation is normal or that you need to "endure" it until it passes. The goal is quite the opposite: use the product gradually, observe your skin's response, and reduce the intensity if it starts to react.

Mistake 1: starting to use it every day

One of the most common mistakes is treating retinol as if it were a regular moisturizer. People buy the product and immediately start applying it every night. For some skin types, this can be too much, especially at the beginning.

Retinol often requires an adjustment period. Instead of aiming for maximum frequency from day one, it makes more sense to start with fewer applications and increase only if the skin feels comfortable. The ideal frequency depends on the formula, concentration, and individual sensitivity.

Mistake 2: Using a larger quantity thinking it will act faster.

More product doesn't necessarily mean better results. In practice, using too much often increases the chance of dryness, flaking, and irritation.

For facial products containing retinol, a thin layer is generally applied to the face, following the manufacturer's instructions. The product does not need to be visibly accumulated on the skin to be effective.

Error 3: Applying to already sensitive skin.

If the skin is already burning, peeling, or sensitized due to excessive exfoliation, sun exposure, other active ingredients, or procedures, adding retinol may worsen the discomfort.

At times like these, persisting is usually not a good strategy. Often it's wiser to simplify the routine, prioritize hydration and protection of the skin barrier, and only resume using the product when the skin feels comfortable again.

Mistake 4: Forgetting moisturizer

Moisturizer can be a great ally during the adaptation period. It helps reduce the feeling of dryness and makes the routine more comfortable, especially for dry or sensitive skin.

Some people apply moisturizer after retinol. Others prefer to use a thin layer before and another after, a strategy popularly known as the "sandwich" method. The important thing is to observe how your skin responds and follow the instructions for the formula you are using.

Mistake 5: Mixing several strong active ingredients on the same night.

When your routine involves many products, the temptation arises to use them all together. Retinol, exfoliating acids, anti-acne products, and other potentially irritating active ingredients can leave the skin feeling overwhelmed when combined unnecessarily.

Not every combination is forbidden, but a simple routine is usually easier to control. If you're just starting out, it might be best to avoid stacking several strong products until you understand how your skin reacts to retinol alone.

Mistake 6: Ignoring sunscreen during the day

A retinol-based routine shouldn't be used in isolation from sun protection. In addition to protecting the skin from ultraviolet radiation, sunscreen helps prevent a skincare routine aimed at improving appearance from being compromised by cumulative sun exposure.

Therefore, daily use of sunscreen during the day is an important part of skincare, especially for those using products that can make the skin more sensitive.

Quick questions before continuing

On the next page, you'll see the mistakes that most sabotage the use of retinol, a simple order for setting up a routine, and signs that it might be time to reduce the frequency.