How do I start retinol without irritation?

Starting retinol is mostly a question of pace. The earliest thing to watch is how your skin reacts to the first few applications.

Begin slowly and add use over time

Cleveland Clinic puts the rule in one line: "Start slowly and increase your use of retinol gradually." Its retinol guide also gives the reason, which is that "Since retinol can irritate your skin, it’s best to start slow."

That means the early sign you are watching for is irritation, and the response to it is a slower pace, not a stronger one.

What the first two weeks can look like

Cleveland Clinic spells out a starting schedule: "For the first couple weeks of treatment, apply retinol only every other day." The off days give you a chance to look at your skin before the next application.

Reading on skin care while you start

The Cleveland Clinic newsroom collects general skin advice in Dermatologist-Approved Tips for Healthier Skin, and the AAD has a related piece on skin care secrets.

Checking skin before each application

Check your skin before each application. If it already feels irritated, hold off and keep to the slower schedule. Readers in St. Johns, Florida, who see irritation that does not settle can bring it to a provider before adding another product to the routine.