Does Retinol Help With Acne? How To Use It Effectively

Retinol is a retinoid (a form of vitamin A) that improves wrinkles, fine lines, texture, and skin tone. Retinol and other types of retinoids may also be able to treat skin conditions like acne, whiteheads, blackheads, and cysts that form on the skin. Retinol can cause skin irritation, so it’s important to make sure it’ll work for your skin before adding it to your routine.

Retinol and other types of retinoids have anti-inflammatory properties that help clear acne by increasing skin cell turnover and cleaning out comedones, clogged hair follicles, on the skin. While retinol is a milder type of retinoid, other stronger retinoids, such as tretinoin and adapalene, are more effective for treating moderate to severe cases of acne.

Retinoids may be able to reduce acne within 12-15 weeks. The time it takes to see visible improvements may vary depending on the severity of acne and the type of retinoid you’re using. Compared to other retinoids, adapalene may work the fastest to improve acne and skin texture.

How To Use It

If you’re interested in using retinol to prevent and treat acne, there are some application techniques you’ll want to keep in mind to lower possible skin irritation and other side effects. Here are some tips on how to use it:

1. Wash your face: Before applying retinol, wash your face with warm water using a gentle skin cleanser.
2. Apply every other night: Retinol can irritate the skin, so use it every other night for two to four weeks to allow your skin to adjust to the ingredient. Over time, you can start to use it nightly, as long as your skin can tolerate it.
3. Use a pea-sized amount: Using your fingertip, evenly apply a pea-sized, thin layer of retinol to your skin.
4. Apply moisturizer afterwards: To minimize side effects such as dryness and skin peeling, use a non-comedogenic moisturizer for the face after applying your retinol. Products labeled as non-comedogenic are less likely to clog the skin’s pores.

There are some cases where retinol might not be right for you. This includes people who:

• Are pregnant: People who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid retinol and retinoids because retinoids may negatively affect the baby’s growth.
• Have skin sensitivities or conditions: People with sensitive or dry skin, skin allergies, and certain skin conditions, such as rosacea, a chronic (long-term) skin condition that causes redness on the face, should also avoid the use of retinol. Retinol can cause skin redness, peeling, and irritation, which can make all of these conditions worse.
• Have moderate to severe acne scars: This includes those prone to getting acne close to their menstrual periods, or those experiencing hormonal changes.

In these cases, individuals should see a dermatologist, a medical doctor specializing in treating skin, hair, and nail conditions, to discuss their treatment options for acne.

Several common side effects of retinol include skin dryness, peeling, and redness. As your skin adjusts to using retinol more often, side effects should resolve within a few weeks.

People of all ethnicities and races can use retinol. Those with darker skin need to be more careful when using it regularly. Some side effects of retinol, such as skin irritation, may trigger dark spots or hyperpigmentation in darker skin. Slowly introduce retinol to avoid or minimize your risk of hyperpigmentation, and use moisturizer after applying.

It’s also important to use sun protection while using retinol, such as a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Retinol can cause the skin to become more sensitive to the sun’s rays, raising your risk of sunburn and photoaging (sun damage).

There are other treatment options for acne available for people who can’t use retinol. These include:

• Bakuchiol: This is a retinol alternative from plants with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It may significantly reduce acne severity when used alone or when combined with other skincare products. More research is necessary to better understand how bakuchiol can combat acne.
• Azelaic acid: Research suggests that this can be equally as effective as retinoids in reducing comedones, is better tolerated than topical retinoids, helps reduce hyperpigmentation, and results in fewer side effects.
• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): These are acids that are naturally and synthetically created and typically used in skincare products. AHAs remove dead skin cells to aid skin cell turnover, which helps unclog pores. Glycolic acid, a type of AHA that naturally comes from sugarcane, may help prevent and treat acne.
• Salicylic acid: This type of acid helps reduce swelling and redness related to acne. It also helps unclog pores and shrink pimples. Like retinol, side effects may include mild skin irritation, but this side effect should go away as the skin adjusts to salicylic acid. If irritation doesn’t go away, stop using it and reach out to a healthcare provider.

Retinol is a type of retinoid, which comes from vitamin A. Retinol and other types of retinoids are effective treatments for acne because they’re anti-inflammatory, which helps unclog pores and speeds up skin cell turnover.

Side effects of retinol use include skin peeling, irritation, and redness. Most side effects go away within a few weeks as the skin adjusts. While retinol is safe to use, people who are pregnant, those with sensitive skin, and people with skin conditions such as rosacea should avoid using it. If you have skin irritation that doesn’t go away after you stop using retinol, reach out to a dermatologist.