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How to Successfully Use a Retinoid
It’s no secret that retinoids are one of the most powerful skincare ingredients you can use. In fact, they’re the most highly researched “anti-aging” topical on the market, with over 70 years of data backing their ability to transform skin. But here’s the catch: the best retinoid is the one you can use consistently. Consistency leads to change — and without it, you’re only getting a fraction of the benefits.
Why Consistency Matters with Retinoids
Research shows that using a retinoid 5–7 nights per week delivers the most impact on your skin. That means if your skin can tolerate a prescription-strength retinoid at that frequency, amazing! Stick with it. But if you find yourself maxed out at 2–3 nights per week due to irritation, dryness, or flaking, you’re not reaping the full benefits. In this case, it might be time to either supplement on your off nights with a retinaldehyde or switch to a gentler retinoid completely. Often, using a slightly lower strength more frequently will lead to better results over time.
What Retinoids Do for Your Skin
When used consistently, retinoids can:
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production
• Improve skin tone and texture for smoother, firmer-looking skin
• Fade sunspots and smooth out rough patches
• Increase cellular turnover, minimizing breakouts
• Stimulate new blood vessel production in the skin, improving overall skin color and glow
The Common Retinoid Cycle (And How to Break It)
Here’s the most common scenario we hear about retinoid usage:
• You hear how great retinoids are for your skin.
• You start using one.
• You experience dryness, redness, and flaking.
• You stop, thinking your skin just can’t handle it.
• You hear how great retinoids are for your skin.
• You repeat the cycle.
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry — we’re here to help you break that cycle and finally use your retinoid successfully.
How to Start Using Your Retinoid the Right Way
Retinoids are powerful, so start slow and steady:
• Begin with 1–2 nights per week on non-consecutive days.
• Slowly increase to every other night, and then work toward 5–7 nights per week as your skin builds tolerance.
• Always apply at night to clean, dry skin.
• Follow with a moisturizer, like Hydrating Lotion, to help reduce dryness or irritation.
• Expect some mild flaking, dryness, or purging (temporary breakouts) in the first few weeks — this is normal as your skin adjusts. Stick with it! Pull back on frequency if your skin barrier is significantly impaired or sensitive, but don’t stop usage completely, or your skin will never adjust to the active ingredients.
A Retinoid Formulated for Consistency
At Barefaced, we knew tolerance and frequency had to come first when formulating RetinAL Skin Therapy. We wanted to create a product that works with all skin types, not against it — even sensitive skin! — helping you get to that ideal 5–7 nights per week.
That’s why we added bakuchiol to RST. It’s a plant-based powerhouse that:
• Boosts the effectiveness of retinoids by increasing absorption
• Calms and soothes the skin to improve tolerability
• Strengthens the skin barrier for less harsh reactions
We also formulated Overachiever with bakuchiol to work further alongside your retinoid to help improve tolerance, reduce irritation, and enhance your results.
How to Use RetinAL Skin Therapy + Overachiever Together
• Start by using RetinAL Skin Therapy 3 nights per week on alternating days. Gradually work up to 5–7 nights per week.
• Apply RetinAL after your serums in your evening routine, and follow with moisturizer or facial oil based on your skin’s needs.
• Bonus: RetinAL Skin Therapy is gentle enough to be used around the eyes, neck, and chest — areas often neglected due to sensitivity.
How Overachiever fits in:
• Use Overachiever in the morning and RetinAL Skin Therapy in the evening.
• On nights you’re not using RetinAL (like evenings when you use a high-percentage chemical exfoliant), apply Overachiever both morning and night.
• If you’re using a prescription retinoid like Retin-A, you can still use Overachiever twice daily to help calm and soothe the skin.
Times to Skip a Retinoid
There are times when using a retinoid isn’t recommended — such as during pregnancy (always check with your OB). During these periods, bakuchiol (found in Overachiever) can serve as your retinoid alternative. When used twice daily, bakuchiol has been shown to deliver similar long-term anti-aging benefits without the irritation and sensitivity that can come from retinoid use.
The Benefits of Using Retinoids in Conjunction with Glycolic Acid
We’ve covered why retinoids are the premier ingredient in anti-aging efforts so let’s talk about how to make them work even better!
All About Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is part of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid family of natural ingredients. It is derived from sugar cane and is essentially a fruit acid.
It’s able to gently slough or exfoliate the skin’s outermost layer of dead cells, which is a primary culprit for fine lines and uneven skin tones. When the dead skin cells are removed by gentle exfoliation and properly moisturizing, newer, fresher skin is revealed.
Glycolic acid also hydrates the skin in two ways:
This specific AHA is valuable at treating almost every skin concern across the board!
Using Glycolic Acid
The products in the Barefaced lineup that contain glycolic acid are Toning Pads, Toning Pads II, and Glow Peel Pads.
Toning Pads and Toning Pads II have a lower percentage of glycolic acid (10%), but should still be introduced gradually. Using them once a day (in the morning) on alternating days. Once you experience little to no irritation, you can increase by one day per week until you achieve 5-7 days of usage. Then increase to twice daily as tolerated.
Glow Peel Pads consist of 15% glycolic acid, and therefore, should be used 1-3x per week, and skipping your retinoid on those nights is also recommended to minimize irritation. They should also be skipped during pregnancy.
Why They're Better Together
Simply put, the glycolic acid prepares the skin for optimal retinoid penetration.
Glycolic acid is the smallest molecule of the AHA family, allowing it to penetrate the skin more effectively than other members of the AHA family. This allows the glycolic acid to gently (chemically) exfoliate, which in turn removes dead skin cells, dirt and debris from the skin's outermost layer, leaving the skin clean and unobstructed.
This allows the retinaldehyde to penetrate deeper into the skin to promote overall collagen production and cellular turnover. The two together work to target sun damage, uneven texture, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and acne.
Yes, Toning Pads (or Toning Pads II) can be used in the exact same routine as retinaldehyde, but to minimize your chances of sensitized skin, we recommend using GPP and RST separately, but together. Both should be in your routine, just getting used on different nights.
A sample way to introduce these products would be following this schedule:
Night 1 - exfoliate (AHA/GPP)
Night 2 - retinoid (RST)
Night 3 - retinoid
Night 4 - rest (only if needed to heal sensitized reactions!)
Night 5 - start over with exfoliate\
More Retinoid Usage Tips & FAQs
• Always apply retinoids at night.
• Use SPF every single day (retinoids can make your skin more sun-sensitive).
• Be patient! Visible results often take 8–12 weeks, but the glow is worth the wait.
• Check out these other valuable resources for retinoid usage:
Anticipated vs. Adverse Reactions
