Is Your Skin Barrier Damaged from Retinol – and How Do You Repair It?
Retinol is a superstar ingredient in skincare — known for its ability to smooth wrinkles, even skin tone, and boost cell renewal. But if you’ve been using this and noticed your skin feeling red, irritated, or overly sensitive, your skin barrier might be struggling.
The good news? You don’t have to give up! With the right knowledge and products, you can repair your skin barrier and still enjoy all the amazing skin rejuvenation benefits retinol offers.
Watch: Tess Explains How to Use Retinol Without Damaging Your Skin Barrier
Tess, our skin therapist expert, shares simple tips to use this safely, protect your skin barrier, and get the best results possible.
What Is the Skin Barrier — and Why Can Retinol Damage It?
Think of your skin barrier as your skin’s natural shield. It locks in moisture and keeps irritants out. But retinol, while fantastic for cell renewal, can speed up this process too fast if your skin isn’t ready — leading to:
- Redness and irritation
- Dryness or flaking
- Increased sensitivity
- Breakouts or uneven texture
This happens because this ingredient accelerates cell turnover, and if your barrier is weak or overworked, it can’t keep up with repairing itself.
Signs Your Skin Barrier May Be Damaged
Be on the lookout for:
- Persistent redness or tightness
- Stinging when applying skincare
- Rough, uneven skin texture
- Dullness or loss of natural glow
If these sound familiar, it’s time to prioritise skin repair.
How to Restore Your Skin Barrier While Continuing Vitamin A Treatments
You don’t have to ditch — just take a smarter approach:
-
Choose a gentler, more advanced form:
Switch to retinal (retinaldehyde), a next-gen vitamin A that works faster and deeper but with less irritation than retinol. -
Pair with barrier-boosting ingredients:
Look for serums and moisturisers rich in hydrating polymers, calming extracts, and anti-inflammatory actives to support your skin as it adjusts. -
Use the ‘low and slow’ method:
Start by applying retinol 1–2 times a week, then gradually increase frequency as your skin builds tolerance. -
Always moisturise well:
Lock in hydration and protect your barrier with a nourishing moisturiser every time you use retinol.
Our Top Retinal Solution & Skin Renewal Power Pack for Effective Skin Repair
For powerful skin rejuvenation without irritation, we recommend Expert Lab Retinight – Retinal Resurfacing Night Serum.
- Contains 0.04% Retinal — the most advanced vitamin A for faster, deeper results.
- Uses Focused Cell Dose Technology to deliver actives 20X deeper for maximum transformation
- Enriched with hydrating HLG Nanopolymer and calming Liquorice Root Extract to support skin barrier repair
- Smooths fine lines, evens skin tone, and firms skin
Supercharge Your Skin Repair with Our Skin Renewal Power Pack
For a complete professional-grade routine, try our Skin Renewal Power Pack — a three-step system designed to renew, regenerate, and protect your skin for lasting radiance and health.
Why You’ll Love the Power Pack:
- Combines potent Retinal, EGF, and peptides for advanced skin repair
- Uses medical-grade actives for intense regeneration
- Protects skin from environmental stressors including blue light
- Firms, smooths, and hydrates in just three easy steps
- Perfect for ageing, dull, or textured skin
See Our Recommended Heroes
Final Takeaway
If your skin barrier feels compromised, don’t worry — repair it with hydrating, soothing ingredients and switch to gentler yet more effective forms like retinal. Pair this with supportive products such as our Skin Renewal Power Pack to enjoy all the skin rejuvenation benefits without sacrificing your skin’s health.
