4 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Retinol

Not only will not work as well as it should but also there is no telling the repercussions expired products can have on your skin. Anti-aging products with ingredients like retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C can break down quickly and typically last nine months to one year, depending on how they're dispensed. Retinol is a light-sensitive ingredient that can easily lose potency over time, often sooner than you expect. It all depends on the packaging, preservatives system, and how you store your product. Incorrect retinol usage can cause drying, flaking, shedding, redness, and irritation of the skin as well as exacerbated acne. Retinol will also increase skin sensitivity to UV rays. Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids. Is it safe to use retinol every day? For most people, yes — once your skin is used to it, that is.

What happens if you don't refrigerate retinol?

That said, there are some people who may not want to use it frequently or at all. Myth 3: Quality retinol is bright yellow retinol But retinol breaks down in sunlight and on contact with air — turning it even more intensely yellow. Swallowing products that contain vitamin A, such as skin cream with retinol in it, can also cause vitamin A poisoning. Retin A and Retinols expiration When it comes to expiration dates, Retinol A and Retinols typically have an expiration date of two years after the manufacturing date. Oil-based products, including facial oils and makeup, should never be refrigerated. The cold temperatures can cause these products to harden and make them unusable. Clay products, like clay masks, shouldn't be placed in the fridge. Worst: Retinol in Squalane Retinol is the most common vitamin A ingredient you'll find in cosmetic products, and it is really unstable. It needs the extra bells and whistles to make it from the manufacturer to your house, then once you open it and start using it, it'll need extra protection against degradation.

Retinol is very unstable. Every time it's exposed to light and air, it oxidises a little. That means it loses a bit of its effectiveness until it stops working completely. The more often you force it to come in contact with its enemies i. Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely.

What happens if you don't refrigerate retinol?

Here's a simple anti-aging routine, complete with product and ingredient recommendations. Many women experience acne during pregnancy. Fortunately, pregnancy and postpartum acne is…. Nothing makes an already crummy situation worse quite like period acne. Learn how to deal with everything from painful chin cysts to vulvar acne. Whiteheads, blackheads, pimples, and pustules are just a few of the many types of blemishes that can appear on the skin. Find out what causes…. How Well Do You Sleep?

Can retinol spoil?

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Skin Care. Share on Pinterest. How we vet brands and products Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm? Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence? Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices? We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? What is it? What does it do? Are there any side effects to be aware of? Who should skip retinol? How can you add it to your routine? What are some products to consider? When can you expect results?

How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Sep 1, Edited By Tess Catlett. Share this article. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R. Medically reviewed by Sara Perkins, MD. Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD.