Why Retinol Isn't Actually an Exfoliant
If you've ever used a Vitamin A product (aka retinol) in your skincare routine you'd be forgiven for thinking it's a type of exfoliant. After all, it helps give you baby, soft skin, speeds up dead skin cell turnover and can sometimes cause redness and flaking.
In reality? It's an antioxidant.
Here's how retinol and exfoliants are different.
How Retinol is Different From an Exfoliant
Exfoliants work by gently stripping your skin of dead skin cells. They break down the "glue" that holds dead skin onto your skin. By removing the old stuff, exfoliants help to reveal brighter, fresher skin.
Retinol, on the other hand, works by encouraging your skin to turn over faster. It helps to regulate the shedding of dead skin but doesn't actually remove it.
The key difference - exfoliants work on the skin, whereas retinol works in it.
This means that both retinol and exfoliants have their place in a good skin care routine; the issue is when to use aka timing.
Can I Use Retinol and Exfoliants in the Same Routine?
Yes, you can but not at the same time.
We recommend using retinol in your night routine because it can increase your skin's sensitivity to light. Exfoliants are also best used at night.
So when should you use retinol and exfoliants if you want the benefits of both? On different nights of the week.
One method we love for optimizing your results without irritating your skin is the skin cycling method.
For more on layering chemical exfoliants tune into this episode of the Korean Beauty Show podcast: