How to Start on Retinoids | Lab Muffin Beauty Science

Summary

In this video, Michelle from Lab Muffin Beauty Science discusses how to start using powerful retinoids like tretinoin and adapalene for skincare. She shares her personal experience and provides tips to minimize irritation during the 'retinisation' process. Michelle covers the science behind retinoids, their benefits, and common side effects. She also offers strategies for gradual introduction, product selection, and routine adjustments to help viewers safely incorporate retinoids into their skincare regimen.

Takeaways

• 🧪 Tretinoin is a powerful, science-backed skincare ingredient but can cause irritation when starting.
• 📉 Common side effects of retinoids like tretinoin include peeling, dryness, redness, and purging (initial breakouts).
• 💡 Starting with a lower concentration or time-release formula can minimize irritation while providing benefits.
• 🕒 Introducing retinoids slowly (every second or third day) helps skin adjust without overwhelming it.
• 🚿 Short contact therapy, where tretinoin is applied briefly and rinsed off, can reduce irritation while delivering results.
• 🛡️ Use gentle skincare products alongside retinoids, such as mild cleansers and moisturizers, avoiding exfoliants during the adjustment period.
• ⚠️ Applying retinoids on dry skin instead of wet skin reduces irritation, as wet skin absorbs active ingredients more easily.
• 💧 Moisturizers or oils can help dilute tretinoin and make it easier to spread evenly across the face.
• ⏳ Tretinoin can improve skin texture, reduce pore size, and promote a glowing complexion, but patience and a gradual approach are key.
• 🚫 Avoid combining retinoids with other potentially irritating ingredients like strong acids (AHA) until the skin adjusts.

Q & A

What are retinoids, and why are they used in skincare?

Retinoids are derivatives of Vitamin A, including tretinoin, retinol, adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene. They are used in skincare for their powerful anti-aging, anti-acne, and anti-pigmentation effects, which are backed by scientific research.

Why is starting tretinoin often challenging for beginners?

Starting tretinoin is challenging because it can cause irritation, including peeling, dryness, and redness, during the initial weeks. This adjustment period is known as 'retinisation,' where the skin gradually adapts to the retinoid.

What are some strategies to minimize irritation when starting tretinoin?

To minimize irritation, beginners can use a lower concentration of tretinoin, apply it less frequently (e.g., every other day), or try short-contact therapy by applying it for a limited time and then rinsing it off. It's also helpful to use gentle skincare products and avoid applying tretinoin to wet skin.

What is 'short contact therapy,' and how can it help with tretinoin use?

Short contact therapy involves applying tretinoin for a short period, like 30 minutes, before washing it off. This method can reduce irritation while still delivering benefits, especially during the initial phase of starting tretinoin.

How long does it typically take for the skin to adjust to tretinoin?

Skin adjustment to tretinoin can vary, but it often takes about 4 to 6 weeks for irritation to subside. Some people experience minimal irritation, while others may take longer to adapt.

What is purging, and how is it related to retinoids like tretinoin?

Purging is when the skin breaks out as a reaction to a new product, like a retinoid, which speeds up the skin's cell turnover. This causes pre-existing clogged pores to surface faster. It's temporary and can be reduced by introducing the product slowly.

Why is it recommended to avoid applying retinoids on wet skin?

Applying retinoids on wet skin can increase their absorption, leading to higher chances of irritation. It's better to wait about 30 minutes after cleansing before applying tretinoin to reduce this risk.

What mistakes should be avoided when starting tretinoin?

Common mistakes include using too much tretinoin too often, combining it with other irritating products like strong alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and applying it to wet skin, which can increase irritation.

How did the speaker adjust her skincare routine during the initial weeks of tretinoin use?

In the first week, the speaker used short-contact therapy, applying tretinoin for 30 minutes before washing it off, and used gentle skincare products like humectant toners and moisturizers. By the second week, she applied oil underneath tretinoin to reduce irritation and gradually increased the frequency of use.

What benefits did the speaker observe after using tretinoin regularly?

The speaker noticed smoother skin texture, smaller-looking pores, clearer skin, and a glowier complexion. Tretinoin helped her manage post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and improved the overall appearance of her skin.