Retinol has amazing benefits from anti-aging to acne eradication, but every rose has its thorn and retinol is known for its ability to cause initial redness, irritation and dryness. If you already have dry skin, using retinol can be a risky endeavor, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it altogether.
“Retinol is a vitamin A–derived molecule which is a tricky ingredient to use in people with dry and/or sensitive skin,” says Davie, FL dermatologist Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD. For patients with drier skin types, the skin barrier is foundationally disrupted. So application of very potent retinol can potentially harm and irritate it, leading to redness, flaking and burning sensation of the skin.” These unwanted side effects can be avoided, or at least mitigated, by following expert advice on best practices for applying retinol to dry skin.
