Retinol on damp skin, is irritation higher?

Cleveland Clinic's advice avoids damp skin altogether: "Wait 30 minutes after washing your face before applying your retinol product." The earliest point to check is the gap between washing and applying.

The wait after washing

That instruction sets the gap at half an hour. A face that has only just been washed is therefore not the moment the source recommends for the product.

Reading for a wider routine

Cleveland Clinic's newsroom also published Dermatologist-Approved Tips for Healthier Skin, and the AAD's skin care secrets covers the wider routine.

Building the gap into your evening

Set a timer when you finish washing and apply the product only after it ends. Readers in St. Johns, Florida, who want to check their routine can go through it with a provider.