Should I use Retinal every night? What happens if I don’t apply moisturiser after Retinal? If you’ve never used a Retinal serum, you may have many questions!
Discover how to use Retinal for the first time with our beginner’s guide to using Retinal Booster Serum.
Who can use Retinal?
One of the best anti-ageing ingredients available, Retinal is ideal for those with visible signs of ageing.
Up to 11 times more effective than Retinol and better tolerated by the skin, Retinal can be used by all skin types, including sensitive skin, to achieve a plump, soft, radiant complexion.
Retinal also has antibacterial properties and helps unclog pores, meaning it is also suitable for acne-prone complexions.
What is the best age to start using Retinal?
The best age to start using Retinal is once you notice the early signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. These tend to emerge around the age of 30 when the skin’s cell turnover rate declines and it produces less collagen and Hyaluronic Acid.
That’s where rejuvenating Retinal comes into play. Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum is tailored for skin age 30+ and combines Retinal with Hyaluronic Acid to plump fine lines and optimise skin rejuvenation.
Teens and those in their early twenties should not use retinoid skin care products like Retinol or Retinal. That’s because their cell turnover rate is fast, and their skin barrier is not developed enough to withstand potent skin care actives.
When to apply Retinal
Retinoids come in different strengths, including prescription-only Retinoic Acid, and high-strength Retinol serums may not be suitable for use every night.
Green People’s Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum is different. Not Retinol, but skin-kind Retinal with Hyaluronic hydration; this dermatologically tested Retinal can be applied nightly from the very first use.
Natural, certified organic and vegan, it contains no harsh artificial ingredients.
Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum 30ml
Renew, protect and hydrate with this skin care revolution
€55,95
What comes first, Retinal or cleanser?
As Retinoids accelerate cell turnover, the Retinal Booster Serum should be the first step after your evening cleanse.
Step 1: Cleanser
Step 2: Retinal
Step 3 (if dry skin): Night cream or serum
To optimise results and minimise irritation, we enrich our Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum with skin barrier boosting Shea Butter and five soothing base oils, as well as intensely hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, and Aloe Vera. Together, these intensely hydrate and nourish skin, meaning there’s no need to apply a separate serum.
However, if you are a new Retinal user or your skin is dry, you may want to follow your Retinal with a hydrating night cream or a collagen-boosting Vitamin C serum. We recommend using Age Defy+ Hydra Glow Sleep Mask 2-3 times a week after the Retinal Booster Serum has been absorbed.
Our recommended evening routine for Retinal:
How do I know when the Retinal Booster Serum is working?
By combining fast-acting Retinal with intensely hydrating Hyaluronic Acid, Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum leaves skin feeling soft, smooth and plump. You’ll notice the difference after just a few applications; unlike Retinol, you won’t notice any dryness!
Do I need SPF the day after Retinal?
Yes. Always use an SPF the day after using a Retinal serum. Retinal’s skin-refining action speeds up the rate at which skin sheds dead cells, bringing younger cells to the surface. These cells are especially vulnerable to sun damage and need protecting from UV light.
The morning after using Retinal, cleanse your skin as usual, then apply an intensely hydrating serum, such as Age Defy+ Vitamin C Serum, followed by a day cream SPF of 30.
Step 1: Cleanser
Step 2: Retinal Booster Serum
Step 3: SPF30+ Sunscreen
Age Defy+ Daily Defence SPF30 is the perfect sun protection partner for our Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum.
Dermatologically tested and fortified with high factor SPF30, this UVA/UVB sun shield blocks 97% of burning UVB to protect your delicate skin.
Clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin, it also uses skin-smoothing buds from the Everlasting Youth Tree, which strengthen the skin structure and have been shown to boost hydration by an impressive 30%!
Our recommended morning-after routine for Retinal:
What not to use with Retinol/Retinal
Retinoids like Retinal are known for being among the best skin smoothers available. However, their ability to rapidly refine the skin means they should not be used with other skin exfoliators.
If you’re using Retinol or Retinal in your routine, set aside your skin scrub and avoid using skin care made with exfoliating actives, including AHAs or BHAs for now.
The following Green People exfoliators are not suitable for use alongside Retinal but you can use the product below on days where you choose not to use Retinal.
- Fruit Scrub
- Fruitful Nights Night Cream
- Age Defy+ Soft Buff
- Age Defy+ AHA Radiance Peel
- Green People for Men Exfoliating Face Scrub
Worried about using a Retinal on sensitive skin?
Has your skin become red or felt more sensitive since you started using Retinol? Irritation and inflammation are signs that your skin is stressed. If your skin is experiencing sensitivity, consider reducing the potency of your Retinol or switching to a gentler Retinol alternative, such as our 100% natural Retinal.
Green People’s Retinal Booster Serum is clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin and uses 0.05% Retinal. Clinical trials show this is the optimal percentage to be effective without worrying about irritating your skin. After just a few applications of our skin-kind Retinal, your skin will feel softer, plumper and more hydrated.
Age Defy+ Retinal Booster Serum 30ml
Renew, protect and hydrate with this skin care revolution
€55,95
Charlotte Vøhtz says:
“Retinal is up to 11 times more effective than Retinol and much gentler on skin, but we didn’t stop there. We’ve combined it with Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera for intense hydration, making this serum so much more than a Retinol.”
When should you not use Retinol/Retinal?
When you are too young
Retinol/Retinal is designed for use in anti-ageing skin care routines and should not be used by teens or children.
When you are pregnant
Retinoids contain Vitamin A and should not be used when pregnant or breastfeeding.
When you’ve just tanned
Are you just back from holiday or thinking of fake tanning? Be mindful that retinoids will increase your skin cell turnover, fading your tan faster. To hold onto your sun-kissed glow for longer, give your skin a little rest from Retinal.
When you’ve had a flare-up
Prone to rosacea, eczema or psoriasis? If you have had a flare-up, you may want to rest your use of Retinol/Retinal and prioritise repairing your skin barrier with a calming skin care routine.
When you’re recovering
Are you recovering from an injury or illness? Some medications can leave your skin dry and sensitive, so consider reducing your use of Retinal until you feel better.
Those recovering from cancer or undergoing cancer treatment may also find that their skin is more sensitive and should check with their medical team before using retinoid skin care.
We hope that you have found this guide to how to use our Retinal Booster Serum useful. For more tips on how to use Retinal as part of your organic beauty routine, make sure you follow us at @GreenPeopleUK. You can also contact our friendly UK customer care team on 01403 740350.
You can also find more suggestions for your skin type when you take our 2-minute skin quiz.
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry. A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 and 2024 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty. A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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