Apply it at night and avoid mixing it with other active skincare ingredients. It can be layered with hyaluronic acid, but try to minimise mixing it with lots of products. Are there any side effects of retinol? Initially, begin using it a couple of times a week in smaller doses. As you start to see results and less irritation, you can steadily increase the percentage – but this has to be done over time (reading more on best practice retinol usage is recommended). Overuse of retinol can cause redness, sensitivity and peeling, so, do keep in mind that whilst using any product containing retinol you'll need to apply daily sunscreen. There are variations of retinol and also different strengths. If you're just starting out, you should be using a low percentage. La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] is the perfect starting point as it contains a mere 0.3%, so, it's also a good option for people with sensitive skin. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane is a great contender for newbies, too, plus it's super affordable. If you're a seasoned retinol user, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 is a great option (and one we personally swear by). One of the strongest formulas out there, aka Sunday Riley's A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum is an incredibly potent, supercharged serum that will get you results fast. How do you use retinol? In theory, you could start using retinol in your mid to late 20s. Prevention is better than cure – meaning, the earlier the better – but obviously, within reason (if you're under 25, you probs don't need it). What strength retinol do you need?

verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Unfortunately, retinol does come with some side effects, though these can be reduced by choosing the right formula for your skin type and applying it properly. You should always introduce retinol tentatively into your skincare routine at first, then build it up slowly as your skin becomes more tolerant.