{"id":2073,"date":"2022-03-31T19:05:07","date_gmt":"2022-03-31T17:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/?page_id=2073"},"modified":"2026-05-30T22:37:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T20:37:07","slug":"retinol-how-to-get-started","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/retinol-how-to-get-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Retinol: 7 beginner's mistakes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"bd-brand\"><style>\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(260px,1fr));gap:16px;margin-top:8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;padding:24px 26px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.6);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.95);border-radius:22px;backdrop-filter:blur(20px);text-decoration:none;transition:transform 0.25s ease,box-shadow 0.25s ease;box-shadow:0 10px 40px rgba(42,36,56,0.04)}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card:hover{transform:translateY(-4px);box-shadow:0 22px 55px rgba(42,36,56,0.1)}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card-tag{font-family:var(--bd-sans);font-size:11px;font-weight:600;color:var(--bd-accent);letter-spacing:0.06em;text-transform:uppercase}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card h3{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-weight:500;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;color:var(--bd-ink);letter-spacing:-0.01em;margin:0}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card-arrow{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-style:italic;font-size:14px;color:var(--bd-accent);margin-top:auto;padding-top:4px}\n.bd-brand .bd-video-wrap{position:relative;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;border-radius:22px;overflow:hidden;box-shadow:0 22px 55px rgba(42,36,56,0.12);margin-top:8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-video-wrap iframe{position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0}\n.bd-brand>p:empty{display:none!important}\n.bd-brand>p{margin:0!important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-section{padding:48px 0 !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-hero{padding-bottom:8px !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-hero .bd-hero-meta{margin-bottom:0 !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-dark{margin-top:24px !important;margin-bottom:24px !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-final{padding-top:48px !important;padding-bottom:48px !important;margin-top:0 !important}\n@media (max-width:900px){html body .bd-brand .bd-section{padding:36px 0 !important}html body .bd-brand .bd-hero{padding-top:56px !important}html body .bd-brand .bd-eyebrow{margin-top:8px}}\n<\/style><section class=\"bd-hero\" style=\"padding-bottom:8px !important;padding-top:56px !important\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-eyebrow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/\" style=\"color:inherit;text-decoration:none\">Guide skincare - Retinol<\/a><\/span><h1>How to get started with retinol - <em>7 mistakes to avoid<\/em> according to a doctor and analyses by BeautyDecoders.<\/h1><p class=\"bd-hero-sub\">To start using retinol without aggravating wrinkles, spots or acne, there are seven mistakes to avoid: choosing the wrong product for your skin type, making the wrong combinations (pure vitamin C, acids), stopping too soon in the event of transient aggravation, not combining the right active ingredients and lacking patience. The key is to start with a low concentration, one evening in three, and to moisturize well. A bonus error at the end of the article completes the picture.<\/p><div class=\"bd-hero-meta\"><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Format<\/span><strong>7 errors + 1 bonus<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Assets<\/span><strong>Retinol (vitamin A)<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Approach<\/span><strong>Independent cosmetic analysis<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">On video<\/span><h2>Using it <em>like a pro<\/em><\/h2><p class=\"bd-lead\">We hear everywhere that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/\">retinol<\/a> is one of the best active ingredients for many problems. Yet in some cases, it can seem to aggravate wrinkles, spots, acne, or appear ineffective. Here are the 7 classic mistakes that prevent you from using it like a pro, plus a bonus mistake at the end of the article.<\/p><div class=\"bd-video-wrap\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MlltnlX1OAQ\" title=\"How to get started with retinol - BeautyDecoded\" loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== ERREUR 1 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Error 01<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Choosing the wrong product <em>your skin type<\/em><\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">A common mistake is to use the wrong product for your skin type. For example, if your skin becomes more oily and prone to imperfections since the introduction of retinol, the cause may not be the retinol itself, but the rest of the formula. A very rich retinol cream will be suitable for dry skin, but may create imperfections on oily skin. When choosing an active ingredient, it's important to look at the product's other ingredients. For a versatile formula, treatments with the indicated concentration (0.3 % or 1 %) are suitable for most people; for a gentle start, an emulsion with granactive retinoid 2 % is a good option. To choose, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/best-retinol-serum\/\">best retinol serums<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== ERREUR 2 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Error 02<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Making bad <em>product combinations<\/em><\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">Certain combinations destabilize retinol and render it inactive. Can I apply pure vitamin C and then retinol immediately afterwards? No. Pure vitamin C needs a very low pH (below 3.5), while retinol needs a higher pH (5.5 to 6). By mixing them, the two pH levels come together, and the effectiveness of both active ingredients drops. To use both: vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening; alternate every other evening; wait 30 minutes between the two; or use a vitamin C derivative (ascorbyl glucoside, pH 5-7, or ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, pH 4-6, recommended in cases of pigmentation) instead of pure vitamin C.<\/p><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">Exfoliating acids (glycolic, lactic, salicylic) also require a low pH. To integrate them: either in the morning after vitamin C (more effective but more irritating), or once a week in the evening without retinol, or by waiting half an hour between the acid and retinol.<\/p><div class=\"bd-alert bd-alert-info\"><span class=\"bd-alert-icon\">\u26a0<\/span><div>For beginners: never use all three active ingredients at the same time. Start with retinol alone, add vitamin C once it's well tolerated, then reintroduce exfoliation. Starting all at once is a recipe for disaster.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"bd-video-wrap\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Rw-k5Q4pgA8\" title=\"Combining retinol with other active ingredients - BeautyDecoded\" loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== ERREUR 3 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Error 03<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Stop because your <em>wrinkles have worsened<\/em><\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">The first effect of retinol, before any action on wrinkles and collagen, is to dry out the skin. On oily skin, this is not a problem, but on normal to dry skin, it can temporarily accentuate wrinkles, particularly around the eyes. The solution: introduce retinol gradually (every third evening to begin with), start with a low concentration (0.2 or 0.3 %), and moisturize well. After cleansing, apply a soothing, moisturizing lotion, then a cream suited to your skin type, and finally retinol. Later, retinol can be applied before the cream to increase its effectiveness. For detailed textures to suit your skin type, see the guide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/facial-care\/moisturizer\/\">how to moisturize your skin<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== ERREUR 4 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Error 04<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Stop because your <em>spots have worsened<\/em><\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">This is paradoxical, since retinol combats hyperpigmentation. There are three possible causes. Firstly, accelerated cell renewal brings deep pigments to the surface, where they can become temporarily more visible. Secondly, retinol makes the epidermis more sensitive to the sun: without protection, melanocytes produce more melanin, and retinol worsens pigmentation (the same phenomenon occurs with exfoliating acids). Finally, if the dosage or frequency of use causes irritation, this can turn into inflammatory spots and then brown spots. Our advice: don't start in summer or before a vacation in the sun, wait for a period when you can protect yourself, and never continue using an irritating product (lower the concentration or space out applications).<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== ERREUR 5 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Error 05<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Stop because your <em>acne worsened<\/em><\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">When you start retinol with acne, it can get worse at first: this is the purging phenomenon, which can last up to a month. By accelerating cell renewal, retinol causes lesions to appear all at once, before they diminish. The other possibility is that retinol irritates the skin, making imperfections worse. In both cases, the answer is the same: moisturize well and start gradually.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== ERREUR 6 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Error 06<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Do not combine retinol with <em>good assets<\/em><\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">In contrast to mistake #2, don't hesitate to combine retinol with other active ingredients depending on the problem, once it has been well tolerated. For wrinkles: peptides, vitamin C, exfoliating acids and niacinamide. For blemishes : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/vitamin-c\/\">vitamin C<\/a> or its derivatives, alpha-arbutin, glycolic acid, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/azelaic-acid\/\">azelaic acid<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/niacinamide\/\">niacinamide<\/a>. For acne: salicylic acid, azelaic acid and niacinamide.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== ERREUR 7 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Error 07<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Don't give enough time to <em>your products<\/em><\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">With all cosmetics, there's a minimum time before you see results. We're impatient, but whether it's hyperpigmentation, acne or wrinkles, it usually takes between 2 and 6 months. The mistake is to give up too soon. Some active ingredients work quickly (hyaluronic acid and moisturizers give almost immediate results, while exfoliants work fairly quickly), but retinol, whether for anti-aging or blemishes, takes at least 2 to 3 months. Patience and regularity are the key.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== BONUS ===== --><section class=\"bd-dark\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Bonus<\/span><h2>To have <em>unrealistic expectations<\/em><\/h2><p>When faced with the claims of marques, we expect a lot, but we have to remain realistic about what skincare can deliver. Retinol has a definite effect on fine lines and wrinkles, but without making them disappear completely.<\/p><div class=\"bd-dark-quote\"><strong>Skincare and aesthetic medicine are not mutually exclusive<\/strong><p>With the right products, time to act and the right combinations, if the result remains disappointing, aesthetic medicine can be a complementary option. And the absence of major visible change does not mean the absence of improvement at cellular level. To objectivize results, take a photo at the start of treatment: changes are sometimes very long-term, and are hardly noticeable on a day-to-day basis.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== CTA APP (bd-final standard) ===== --><section class=\"bd-final\" style=\"padding-top:48px !important;margin-top:0 !important\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-final-inner\"><div class=\"bd-section-label\">Further information<\/div><h2>Find the right retinol for <em>your skin profile<\/em>.<\/h2><p>The BeautyDecoded application lets you scan any cosmetic product to visualize its suitability for your skin type and needs, based on INCI analysis.<\/p><div class=\"bd-cta-wrap\" style=\"justify-content: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beautydecoded.go.link\/88eZ2\" class=\"bd-cta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discover BeautyDecoded<\/a><\/div><div class=\"bd-cta-meta\" style=\"margin-top: 16px;\">Application available on iOS and Android<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Further information<\/span><h2>Others <em>associated guides<\/em><\/h2><div class=\"bd-hub-grid\"><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Ingredient<\/span><h3>The complete retinol guide<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/best-retinol-serum\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Comparison<\/span><h3>The best retinol serums<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/retinol-your-questions\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">FAQ<\/span><h3>Retinol: frequently asked questions<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/niacinamide\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Ingredient<\/span><h3>Niacinamide<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/section><div class=\"bd-sig\"><strong>Dr Sylvain David<\/strong><span>Plastic and aesthetic surgeon - Founder of BeautyDecoded<\/span><\/div><div class=\"bd-disclaimer\"><p>Information for educational purposes only. It does not replace a medical consultation and must be adapted to each individual. Retinol is introduced gradually, on a healthy skin barrier, does not combine with other irritating active ingredients at the start of use, and requires daily sun protection. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding. The aesthetic medicine mentioned above requires specialized consultation. In case of skin pathology or doubt, dermatological advice is recommended. A tolerance test should be carried out before using the product for the first time.<\/p><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Guide skincare - Retinol How to start retinol - 7 mistakes to avoid according to a doctor and BeautyDecoders analyses. To start using retinol without aggravating wrinkles, spots or acne, there are seven mistakes to avoid: choosing the wrong product for your skin type, making the wrong combinations (vitamin...<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":327,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"enable","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2073","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Beautydecoded","author_link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/author\/sylvaindavid\/"},"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2073"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2073\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74566,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2073\/revisions\/74566"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}