Velvet Skin

You have booked your wax, your skin has been behaving, and your nightly retinol serum is working brilliantly. Then someone mentions that the two do not always mix, and suddenly you are not sure what to do. They are right to be cautious. Retinol and exfoliating acids are some of the most effective skincare ingredients available, but they work by speeding up skin renewal and thinning the outer layer of dead cells. Waxing removes hair from the root and, at the same time, lifts a little of that surface layer. Put the two together without a gap and skin can become sore, red, peeling or even torn. This guide explains which products to pause, how long to pause them for, and how to look after your skin afterwards, so you can keep your results without paying for it in irritation. Why active skincare and waxing clash When you use retinol, AHAs (such as glycolic or lactic acid) or BHAs (such as salicylic acid), you are encouraging skin cells to turn over faster. The skin on the surface is newer, ...