Retinol is a must-have skincare ingredient for many of us. The staple of a strong, efficacious , can help with everything from fine lines and wrinkles to . However, it's well known that is not the easiest thing to introduce to your regimen, largely because it's not always tolerated right away by skin.
While there are certain rules you can abide by that'll ensure the path of least resistance is followed (we're talking using only at night, wearing lots of SPF the following day and introducing it slowly to start with), new users of retinol can experience side effects. These side effects, which include , have earned themselves the nickname, "retinol purge". What exactly does that mean? And how can we make it go away, ASAP? Dermatologists and skin experts are here on hand to answer these questions and more.
Let's start with the basics; what exactly is this scary-sounding condition, and what causes it? "Retinol purging is a phenomenon that occurs in some people when they start using retinoid products," begins , Cosmetic Physician and Academic Lead at Acquisition Aesthetics. This usually manifests through side effects such as acne, dryness or irritation. "One of the ways that retinoids work is by increasing the skin cell turnover.
If you are acne prone, or you have any micro-comedones that are brewing underneath the surface of the skin, using a retinoid will bring all of these out," explains Dr Emmaline. , Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatica Medical Director, says you may also ex.
