Red, Itchy Neck or Eyes In Colder Weather? It’s Likely You’re Having a Retinoid Reaction

If you’re using moisturisers with retinol and suddenly your neck is feeling extremely sore and itchy - it’s likely you’re having a retinoid reaction (put on a scarf or chunky metal necklace, you’ll soon know!).  Read on to know why this is happening, and how to remedy it:

Retinoids speed up how your skin renews itself – which is great for long-term results, but if you’re not going low and slow with the amount you’re using, your skin can become overwhelmed – especially with the onset of colder weather.  The combination of retinols and cold weather can lead to skin dryness, redness, itching and sensitivity – especially on the neck and around the eyes where the skin is thinner and more delicate.

Why it happens and how to calm the skin:

Cooler, drier weather and heating will be dehydrating the skin, making it more reactive than normal (add in stress, poor sleep, busy lifestyle etc and your skin will notice!)

Wearing scarves, high neck jumpers, heat-trapping fabrics and metal necklaces can cause friction and irritation on the neck & decollete, worsening the sensitivity

If your retinoid cream formula or strength is too strong for your current skin’s tolerance, you’ll get red, itchy, sore skin.

How to help calm the skin:

If this has happened to your skin, I would always have another gentle moisturiser to hand. 

If this is a regular occurrence each Autumn/Winter, I suggest changing creams altogether.  If you use Environ, I’d change to a lower number and stay on that one (please talk to me and we’ll sort it going forward). 

If you use another brand (I’ve come across this problem a lot from Boots No.7 Retinol creams) If red itchy skin is an issue, I’d change cream to more of a gentle moisturiser, avoiding retinols altogether.

What to do if sticking with your chosen cream and this happens: 

·         Take a short break from using the retinoid cream until the skin calms down (usually a few days).  Slowly reintroduce your retinoid cream aiming at 2-3 days a week

·         Dilute the retinoid cream with a different gentle moisturiser until the skin calms then reintroduce your normal routine

·         Choose soft, breathable fabrics that don’t rub on the neck

·         Avoid layering too many active ingredients/using too many creams & serums if you are prone to skin sensitivity

Other factors to remember when using retinols (be sure to advise your therapist if using retinols before any of these treatments):

·         Avoid facial waxing, threading and dermaplaning as the skin will easily lift leaving a temporary burn - apply aloe vera and avoid retinols until healed.

·         Using Retinol skincare can make the skin react more to the heat from Radio Frequency (mainly the neck and decollete). A gentle treatment will be needed.

·         Retinol is naturally exfoliating, therefore, caution is needed for microneedling, peels, scrubs and acids as they are all exfoliating treatments and could over-sensitise the skin barrier.

It is often advised to stop using retinols altogether when having these treatments.  If you don’t want to do that, dilute the creams or reduce your normal usage the week leading up to treatment.

I have personally gone through this, so I understand the frustration it causes. I’m here to guide you through using skincare that’s best for your skin – please feel free to reach out for advice.

Jo Plumley-Dack

Serenity Skin Studio

07891 220275

jo@serenityskinstudio.co.uk