As summer fades and the cooler air of autumn sets in, it's the perfect time to rethink your skincare routine—especially if you've been considering retinoids. While these vitamin A derivatives can be used all year round, autumn provides an opportunity to start fresh, ensuring your skin benefits with minimal irritation.
If you've ever been curious about the retinoids known as retinol and retinal but hesitated because you've heard they can trigger dryness, peeling, or irritation, this guide will help.
Whether you're new to retinoids or looking to refine your routine, we'll break it down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
Meet the Retinoid Family
We like to think of retinoids as a family—and while we don't want to play favourites, understanding the members of this clan will help you decide which one is best for your skin.
All retinoids come from vitamin A but work in different ways. Some enjoy a stroll, while others sprint to their destination jumping hurdles to reach skin cells where they get to work improving the skin’s performance.
The siblings of the family: Retinol and Retinal
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Retinol – The steady, reliable member of the family. Retinol takes its time, undergoing several conversion steps before being utilised by the skin. It's well known for visibly improving skin texture and enhancing radiance when used consistently.
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Retinal (Retinaldehyde) – The sibling that likes to get things done in a hurry. Retinal converts more efficiently in the skin, meaning it works faster than retinol while still being well tolerated by the skin. It helps to visibly refine skin texture, improve skin tone, and promote a smoother-looking complexion.
Both retinol and retinal visibly support skin renewal, hydration, and long-term skin health, but choosing the right one depends on your experience level, the individual needs of the skin and your skin goals.
How Do Retinoids Work?
When applied to the skin, retinoids interact with skin cells to support renewal and improve overall skin function. They encourage faster cell turnover, meaning old, dull skin cells shed more efficiently, revealing fresher, smoother-looking skin.
At the same time, retinoids help support the skin matrix which consists of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which together keep the skin healthy and resilient. When used consistently retinoids can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while visibly refining texture and promoting a more even skin tone. The result? A visibly brighter, smoother complexion.
Since retinoids can irritate the skin, it's essential to start with the correct strength and build tolerance over time, which leads us to where you should start your retinoid journey.
Where Should You Start?
Your ideal retinoid routine depends on your skin's needs, tolerance, and preferred product type. Whether you're starting out or looking for a more advanced option, here's how to build your ideal routine.
Step 1: Start with the Right Strength
If you're new to retinoids, our Retinol Vitamin A Serum is a gentle yet effective entry point, helping skin adjust gradually to vitamin A.
For those ready for a more potent concentration, our Vitamin A Serum Retinol 1% offers higher potency for enhanced visible results.
Step 2: Support Your Skin Barrier
For added skin support and more efficient absorption, our Ultimate Serum is the perfect retinoid companion. Formulated with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) to reinforce the skin barrier during the transition to more potent retinoids, helping to maintain hydration and minimise sensitivity.
Step 3: Moisturise & Fortify
Our Anti-Ageing Regeneration Formula is a luxurious moisturiser that combines retinol with peptides and botanicals. It offers hydration while addressing the appearance of fine lines and uneven tone.
Step 4: Advanced Repair & Renewal
Our Total Repair DNA Serum is a high-performance night treatment featuring Retinal, Peptides, and Growth Factors for those comfortable with retinoids and looking for enhanced skin recovery. It supports skin renewal, visibly refines skin texture, and promotes skin resilience for healthy-looking skin.
By selecting the right product for your skin, you can create a comfortable, effective transition into vitamin A skincare while ensuring optimal results.
Why Autumn Is the Ideal Time for Retinoids
The seasonal shift from summer to autumn offers the perfect conditions to introduce or reintroduce higher concentrations of retinoids into your skincare routine. Here's why:
Less Intense Sun Exposure
Retinoids encourage skin renewal, making the skin more sensitive to sunlight. While daily SPF is always essential, using retinoids in autumn when UV levels are lower reduces the risk of sun-related irritation.
Supporting Post-Summer Skin
After months of heat, humidity, and constant sun exposure, your skin might feel congested, fatigued, or lacking vibrancy. Even with consistent sun protection, environmental stressors can take their toll and contribute to dullness, uneven tone, and dehydration.
Autumn is the ideal time to introduce retinoids, helping to visibly refine texture and promote a smoother, more radiant-looking complexion. For an extra boost in visible brightness and clarity, pairing your retinoid with our Ultimate Serum can help replenish hydration and support skin renewal.
A Gentle Transition
Retinoids work best when used consistently, and autumn provides the ideal environment to establish a routine without the extremes of summer heat or winter dryness. Milder climatic conditions allow the skin to recover from summer's environmental stressors while gradually adjusting to increased cell turnover.
Starting with a milder formulation can help ease the skin into rejuvenation with minimal irritation. Our Retinol Vitamin A Serum is a great choice, offering a gentle yet effective introduction to retinoids while helping to refine skin texture and visibly improve skin radiance over time.
This gentle transition allows your skin to adapt at a comfortable pace, building resilience before winter, when maintaining hydration and barrier strength becomes even more important.
How to Build Tolerance to Retinoids
Starting retinoids is a journey, and the key to success lies in a gradual introduction and barrier support. If you take it slow, buffer where needed, and reinforce moisture levels, you'll give your skin the best chance to adjust comfortably while still seeing visible results.
Start Low, Go Slow
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If you're new to retinoids, starting with a lower concentration gives your skin time to adjust with minimal discomfort.
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Apply your retinoid every second or third night, then gradually increase frequency as your skin becomes more tolerant.
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Watch for signs of irritation. If your skin feels dry or sensitive, scale back until it is comfortable again.
Buffer for Comfort
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Buffering is an application technique for reducing the intensity of retinoids, making the transition smoother and less irritating.
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You can layer your retinoid over a moisturiser or mix it with your moisturiser before applying it.
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This dilutes the potency of the retinoid, helping to minimise irritation while maintaining comfort and hydration.
Support with Hydration & Moisture Protection
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Using a moisturiser that prevents moisture loss is essential to supporting your skin's protective barrier and reducing dryness.
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Our H2O Balm is a soft, fragrance-free balm designed to soothe, protect, and replenish moisture, making it an ideal companion if your skin becomes too dry.
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By gradually introducing retinoids, buffering when needed, and reinforcing moisture balance, your skin will be better equipped to adjust without discomfort, ensuring a smoother transition to retinoids.
Your Retinoid Reset Starts Now
Retinoids are among the most effective ingredients for supporting healthy-looking, radiant skin, but success lies in patience, keeping the skin visibly balanced, protected and adjusting your routine when needed.
Remember, these three key takeaways:
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Start low and go slow to give your skin time to adjust.
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Hydrate generously and never skip SPF to keep your skin balanced and protected.
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If irritation occurs, adjust the frequency of your application rather than stop altogether.
We think there's no better time to reintroduce or start your retinoid journey than autumn—a season of transition and transformation, just like your skin.
Explore our specially curated Autumn Skin Edit.
For complimentary online advice, try our A Rx® Skin Expert, or contact us, and one of our friendly skincare experts will be happy to help with your retinoid reset.