Retinol: how to start using it, step by step

What retinol is and what results to expect

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that anti-ageing skincare uses to improve how skin looks: a finer, more even texture, a brighter tone and less visible fine lines. It rewards consistency: results show with weeks of use, and every night counts.

How to start: your plan for the first few weeks

1. Start with two or three nights a week. For example, Monday and Thursday. On the other nights, use your usual cream.
2. Just the right amount. A pea-sized amount is enough for your whole face. Spread it on clean, completely dry skin.
3. Face and neck, leaving out the thinnest skin. Keep it away from your eyelids, the rim of your eyes, the sides of your nose and the corners of your mouth.
4. Moisturise. If your skin is dry or sensitive, apply a simple moisturiser first and then the retinol. This is known as the sandwich method.
5. Build up gradually. Once your skin feels comfortable, move to every other night and, later on, to every night if you wish.

An example schedule:

• Weeks 1 and 2: two nights a week.
• Weeks 3 and 4: three nights a week.
• From the second month: every other night and, if your skin feels comfortable, every night.

Retinol by night, sunscreen by day

Retinol is used at night and, while you are using it, your skin may be more sensitive to the sun, so broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning is a must. Apply it generously and reapply every two hours when you are out in the sun.

The first few weeks: your skin adapts

At first it is normal for your skin to feel a little drier or tighter: it is getting used to retinol. Moisturise well and, if needed, space out the applications for a few days. If your skin feels irritated, take a break and start again more slowly. Always apply it to clean, dry, calm skin.

What to pair it with

• Its best companions: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, moisturisers and, in the morning, sunscreen.
• Better on different nights: chemical exfoliants, such as peels or toners with acids, and high-strength vitamin C.
• One source of vitamin A at a time: if you use another cosmetic with vitamin A, such as retinal, save your retinol cream for another night.

How to fit it into your evening routine

Retinol goes on after cleansing and serum, at the cream step. A retinol night could look like this:

1. Make-up removal and gentle cleansing.
2. Moisturising serum, if you use one, and eye cream.
3. Retinol cream on face and neck.

On the nights without retinol, carry on with your usual routine. And in the morning, sunscreen. If you want a complete routine with retinol and peptides, see our anti-ageing page. If you are unsure about the order of each step, we explain it in our guide on the order to apply serum, eye cream, moisturiser and sunscreen.

Our Retinol Face Cream

Yusera's Retinol Face Cream is a night cream that combines retinol with hyaluronic acid and extra virgin olive oil: it deeply nourishes and moisturises while you sleep and, with continued use, softens the look of wrinkles and expression lines, evens out skin tone and brings back your skin's radiance. Apply a pea-sized amount to your face and neck with a gentle massage and follow the plan in this guide. Like every cosmetic with retinol, it carries the warning “Contains vitamin A”: bear it in mind if you get vitamin A from other sources.

If your skin is sensitive, our Sensitive Skin Face Cream soothes and comforts it: a great partner for your nights without retinol and the base of the sandwich method.

Start your retinol routine today

We make our skincare in our own factories in Granada and Badolatosa (Seville), in Andalusia. And we deliver across Spain: mainland, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla.