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How Long After Retinol To Apply Moisturizer
Retinol is a powerful antioxidant that can help you see better results from your skincare routine. However, it can cause some dryness, especially when you start using it. You can combat that by applying an appropriate moisturizer after it. Understanding how long after retinol to apply moisturizer can help you achieve optimal results.
Why Should You Moisturize After Retinol?
If you are new to using retinol products, you may ask, “Why do you put moisturizer on after retinol?” The short answer is to support healthy skin and reduce irritation. However, you must understand how retinol works to get the full picture.
What Is Retinol?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A that offers anti-aging benefits. It works by encouraging cell turnover, which helps improve texture and reduce early signs of aging. It also stimulates collagen and elastin production, which helps skin retain firmness.
Finally, retinol can help regulate oil production. This may help reduce clogged pores in people with acne-prone skin. It is an excellent addition to a complete natural skincare regimen.
What Are the Side Effects of Retinol?
Retinol can create some unintended consequences if you do not use it properly. It can cause dryness and irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. You should always apply a high-quality moisturizer after using retinol to reduce the risk of irritation and dryness.
To reduce the amount of irritation, start with a small amount of retinol once or twice a week. Gradually increase the frequency to help your skin become accustomed to using retinol serum. You may also experience sensitivity to sunlight with retinol use. Combat this by using it at night or applying a moisturizer with sunscreen afterward.
Are you using the right moisturizer after your retinal treatment? Take our moisturizer quiz to find out.
How Long Does It Take for Retinol to Fully Absorb?
It can take up to 20 minutes for your skin to fully absorb some retinol formulations. The average is between five and 10 minutes. How long after retinol to apply moisturizer depends on:
- Application: Applying a thin, even layer can help your skin absorb the retinol product more quickly than a heavy layer.
- Other skincare products: If you layer other products, such as serums or oils, before retinol, you may notice that it takes longer to fully absorb.
- Product formulation: Retinols come in several formulations, including serums and creams. Serums tend to absorb faster because of their lighter texture. Heavy creams generally take the longest to absorb.
- Skin type: Natural oils can act as a barrier to absorption, so it may take oily skin longer than dry skin to absorb retinol products. Find your skin type to maximize your retinol results.
We recommend you wait 5 to 10 minutes after using a retinol product before applying a moisturizer. This gives your skin time to absorb it. If you are unsure that enough time has passed, gently pat your skin. If it feels dry, you are ready to apply a moisturizing cream or lotion.