Everything You Need to Know About Adding Retinol to Your Skincare Routine
August 13 | 4 minute read
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
But as anyone who's tried to switch up their routine and accidentally peeled off their entire face knows, the skin is a delicate organ. The introduction of new actives – particularly those as powerful as retinol – is often about going slow, working gradually and finding the right balance between tolerance and transformation.
Lars Fredriksson, founder of high-performance Swedish skincare brand VERSO, understands this balance better than most. "We call our hero ingredient Retinol 8, because it's eight times more effective at producing collagen than standard retinol," he explains. "It's a unique vitamin A complex that turbocharges the benefits of retinol, without causing discomfort."
In simple terms, VERSO's Retinol 8 delivers all those beautifully brightening, exfoliating benefits, with significantly less chance of irritation. Below, find Fredriksson's comprehensive guide to introducing vitamin A into your skincare routine for effortless, fresh-faced results.
Retinol products are not recommended for use by pregnant or breastfeeding individuals. Always check with your doctor before using any new products while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Start With a Strong Barrier
" To make sure that a retinol product works properly, you need to make sure you have a healthy skin barrier. It's like if you were to start renovating the inside of your house, but you have a broken roof. None of the work you do on the interior will matter if everything is falling apart," says Fredriksson.
To build your skin to its strongest, retinol-ready state, he suggests starting with a calming treatment, like VERSO's Super Exo Soothe Serum: "It contains a high concentration of niacinamide, along with cutting-edge Centella asiatica exosomes," he explains. Next, lock in hydration with the ceramide-rich Barrier Strengthening Cream and continue this two-step process for a couple of weeks before introducing retinol into your routine.
A Low-and-Slow Approach
"The gentle nature of Retinol 8 means it works even if you have sensitive skin," Fredriksson says. "But as with any active ingredient, you should always start gradually as your skin needs time to adjust." Let your complexion gently acclimatise with a nourishing, retinol-infused formula like VERSO's Night Cream, which is less concentrated than its serum counterpart. Start by applying it three times a week and work your way up to daily use slowly, avoiding any other actives and always using SPF during the day.
Your AM and PM Retinol Rituals
Fredriksson’s ideal routine begins in the evening: "Start with fresh, cleansed skin – our new Daily Facial Cleanser is really gentle and hydrating. Then go in with a barrier-boosting product, like the Exo Soothe or Hydration Serum," he says. Next, “depending on what your skin's needs are, I'd layer the Night Cream or Super Facial Serum."
It's a common misconception that retinol can only be used at night – VERSO's Daily Glow Cream is a retinol-infused formula loved for its sunkissed, 'no-makeup makeup' effect, and it’s a great addition to your routine once your skin has adjusted.
"A lot of people don't realise you can use retinol in your morning and evening routine. Applying it that way actually gives your skin a more even dose of vitamin A,” Fredriksson reveals. "What you need to remember is it's a UV-sensitive ingredient, so always make sure to use an SPF on top and reapply sun protection throughout the day."
Consider this your recipe for smoother, plumper, more luminous-looking skin – one step at a time.
