Retinol, AHA, BHA Inquiry

Retinol can definitely be beneficial even though you're using AHA and BHA. The key is to start low and slow, so you could look for a retinol with a low concentration and slowly incorporate it into your routine. I started earlier this year with the Olay 24 hour retinol, and would say it's quite gentle as it's in a formulation with lots of emollients and other ingredients. Unfortunately Olay doesn't disclose the percentage, but I've not experienced any irritation or sensitivity with it. I've got The Ordinary lowest percentage one in squalane for when I finish my current one, but have also seen that the granactive retinol in squalane recommended for beginners. Just make sure you give your skin recovery days without any strong actives, and don't use AHA BHA on the same days as the retinol. Good luck with your retinol journey!

Nobody has to use retinol but it is one of the best ingredients for anti-ageing available. I have sensitive skin and use both a BHA and a retinol product (admittedly both very low strength). I'm not sure how often you're using the acids but you could always scale them back when you start using retinol. E.g. BHA or AHA once a week and retinol once a week on a different day, then increase that if your skin is coping. I find the sandwich method very useful for protecting my skin; you apply moisturiser and let it absorb, then add retinol, then another layer of moisturiser.

I would say cut back on the actives like AHA and BHAs if you add a retinol into your routine, until you learn what your skin will tolerate. Start off with a retinol once a week without AHA or BHA. then after a couple weeks, add in one of those once a week. And just listen to your skin. but don’t use those on the same day and put some time in between used.

Definitely start retinoids…I’m in that same age bracket so it’s worth starting I do retinoids 3x a week and BHA 2x a week, I’ve stopped using AHA because Retinoids increase cell turnover and I realized that I don’t want to exfoliate these baby cells at the surface…of course I alternate nights n never use acids n retinoids in same routine

I just got the inkey list retinol and used for the first time last night. I’ll be 29 in a few months so I wanted to start gentle and early. I am also using AHA and BHA for exfoliants so I’m incorporating the retinol on every 3rd night and staying within only 3x a week with a chemical exfoliant to not wreck my skin barrier. I plan to work up in potency of retinol very gradually