04/09/2026
Retinol is genuinely one of the best things you can do for your skin. We say this to clients at Skin Brilliance all the time and we mean it every single time.
But the number of people who come in and tell us they tried retinol and it did not work, or that it made their skin peel and red and they gave up, is higher than you might think. ๐ฟ
And almost every time the issue is not the retinol. It is how it was used.
So here are the six things worth knowing before you start or if you have been using it for a while and not quite getting the results you hoped for. ๐
Start on two nights a week. Not every night. Two. Your skin needs time to adjust and there is absolutely no benefit to rushing this. Build slowly over weeks and months. โจ
Apply it at night only. On clean dry skin before your moisturiser. Retinol and sunlight do not mix and your skin absorbs it better without competing products layered underneath.
Pair it with hydration. Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Ceramides. These are not optional extras. They are what keeps your skin comfortable while the retinol does its work. ๐ธ
Wear SPF every morning. Every single one. Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to UV and everything you are working toward can be undone by skipping this step. SPF 50+ rain or shine. ๐ฟ
Be consistent. Results from retinol build over months not days. Show up for it regularly and it will show up for your skin.
And be patient. We know that is easier said than done. But genuinely good skin is worth waiting for. ๐ค
The part most people find hardest is figuring out which retinol is actually right for their skin. Too strong too soon and you end up irritated and put off the whole thing. Not strong enough and you wonder why nothing is changing.
That is exactly what we help with at Skin Brilliance. A proper look at your skin and an honest recommendation that makes sense for where you are right now. โจ
๐ Skin Brilliance Hampton
๐ 03 9592 4345
๐ Link in bio to book your skin consultation.