Did you know the right cleanser can make all the difference to the results of your retinol?

While we may be well versed in the wondrous world of retinol, very few of us realise how important cleanser is when it comes to enhancing its results. The first step in your routine, the right cleanser lays the foundations for getting the most out of your retinol – minus the irritation.

Getting retinol ready

In kicking skin cells into action, Vitamin A can provoke an array of unsightly side effects. Redness, flakiness and peeling are but a few of the charmed consequences to accompany accelerated turnover. Using a gentle cream cleanser prior to applying your retinol will help to restore the skin’s natural barrier, allowing complexions to better accommodate the high-powered active.  

A calming cream cleanser to soothe compromised complexions, DermaQuest’s Delicate Cleansing Cream (£35) prepares skin for the optimal application of retinol. Forming a protective film on the surface of the skin, an army of antioxidants work to relieve inflammation and soothe any sign of sensitivity. While keeping redness and irritation at bay, Jojoba Seed Oil and Green Tea Leaf Extract replenish moisture reserves, fostering the conditions that best allow retinol to get to work.

To help skin keep a hold of this hydration, a hydrating serum is perfect to apply directly before retinol. Formulated with 40% hyaluronic acid, DermaQuest’s Essential B5 Hydrating Serum (£68) locks in moisture at a cellular level, in turn working to preserve the turnover that retinol provokes.

Once you’ve prepped your skin to house the active ingredient, opt for a variety of Vitamin A that will continue to keep irritation at bay. Closer in power to retinoic acid, Retinaldehyde is at once more potent and more tolerable than retinol itself. Formulated with 0.05% Retinaldehyde, DermaQuest’s Retinaldehyde Renewal Cream (£72) gently exfoliates skin to improve texture and tone without the unwanted side effects. While refining pores and removing pigmentation, a cocktail of nourishing botanicals keep inflammation in check, soothing any signs of sensitivity.  

The Delicate Cleansing Cream (£35), Retinaldehyde Renewal Cream (£72) & Essential B5 Hydrating Serum (£68) are all available at www.dermaquestinc.co.uk