Retinol is one of the best-known ingredients in skincare, and also one people are a little nervous about. If you've been curious but never quite started, autumn is a lovely moment to give it a try. The sun is softer, the evenings are longer, and you have time to build a calm night routine before winter.
What retinol does
Retinol is a form of vitamin A. Used regularly, it helps improve the look of fine lines, uneven texture and loss of firmness. It works slowly, so think in weeks and months rather than days. That's also why a gentle start matters more than a strong one.
Why autumn is a good time to start
Retinol can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so the shorter, less intense days of autumn and winter make the first weeks easier. You still need sunscreen every morning, even on grey days, but you're not fighting a hot summer sun while your skin gets used to something new.
How to start
Begin with a low strength and use it at night only. After cleansing and toner, apply a pea-sized amount to your face, avoiding the eyes, lips and any irritated spots. Start with one or two nights a week and slowly add more nights if your skin feels comfortable. Follow with your moisturiser. A little dryness or tingling at first can happen; if it does, simply space out your retinol nights.
What not to mix
Keep retinol away from acids (AHA, BHA) and strong vitamin C in the same routine. Use them on different evenings or in the morning instead. And if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, skip retinoids unless a doctor says otherwise.
Our pick: COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Beginner Night Cream
This creamy night treatment contains 0.1% pure retinol, a beginner-friendly strength, and is made for normal to dry skin starting a retinoid routine. Tocotrienol (a form of vitamin E), panthenol, adenosine and shea butter help keep skin comfortable while it adjusts, which is exactly what you want in a drier season.
A gentle reminder
Patience is the real secret here. Two nights a week, done consistently, will get you further than every night for a week followed by a break because your skin feels irritated.
You'll find COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Beginner Night Cream in our shop, a calm first step into retinol for the darker months.
