In this tutorial, presenters Eileen and Suki introduce retinoids—vitamin A derivatives such as retinol, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, tretinoin, adapalene, and others—explaining their skin‑renewing benefits (acne treatment, collagen boost, reduction of fine lines, pore minimization, and hyperpigmentation correction). They compare prescription options like Epiduo (prescribed by Dr. Yoo) with over‑the‑counter retinol products from brands such as CeraVe, La Roche‑Posay, and SkinCeuticals. A step‑by‑step demonstration shows how to cleanse, apply a pea‑sized amount mixed with moisturizer, dab and rub gently, and use extra emollient (Vaseline/Aquaphor) around the eyes if needed. They advise a gradual tolerance‑building schedule—starting once weekly, then moving to a 2‑days‑on/2‑days‑off pattern—and stress the importance of heavy moisturization and sunscreen (EltaMD, reapply every 2 hours). Contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, and certain skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis, specific acne types), prompting a dermatologist consult. The video ends with encouragement to personalize usage frequency and a call to like and subscribe.
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Hi, I'm Eileen, and I'm Suki, and today we're going to be talking about retinoid tips for beginners. So what is a retinoid? A retinoid is a vitamin A derivative that can be topically applied to the skin. Retinoid is actually an umbrella term and can be applied to other words such as retinol, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, or tretinoin, adapalene, and more.
Retinoids can be used to renew the skin, treat acne, promote collagen production, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimize the appearance of pores, as well as reverse hyperpigmentation caused by the sun.
This is Epiduo, a retinoid commonly prescribed by doctors, including Dr. Yoo. There's also many over-the-counter varieties available if a prescription-strength one isn't needed. These are commonly found as retinol creams from companies such as CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, SkinCeuticals, and more.
Suki's now going to give us a little demonstration on how to apply a retinoid.
So when you first start off with the retinoid, you want to ease into the process slowly. Wash your face with your preferred cleanser and make sure your hands are clean. And then you want to apply a pea-sized amount to your palm and mix this with your moisturizer. Then you want to dab this over your face. And mix it gently and rub it in gently.
Now, retinoids can cause drying and skin peeling, so it's important to use a lot of moisturizer. Specifically, there can be some irritation and extra dryness around the eyes, so if that's the case for you, just apply some Vaseline or Aquaphor to those areas that are experiencing extra the dryness.
So I'm gonna apply it around the eyes. When you first start Epiduo, make sure to use it once a week at night until you build up a tolerance to it. When you reach a stable point, you can switch to a schedule of applying it for 2 days and then being off of it for 2 days and just repeat the schedule.
It's also really important to note that retinoids do increase your skin's sensitivity to sun, so please, please, please use sunscreen and reapply every 2 hours. In our office, we recommend EltaMD.
Now we're going to talk about when you cannot use retinoids. Please be sure to avoid them and discontinue them if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Additionally, people with certain underlying skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and particular types of acne should consult with their dermatologist before adding a retinoid to their skincare routine. Lastly, everyone's skin is different, so make sure to do what's best for your skin.
Some people may be able to use retinoids every single day, but some people may only be able to use it once a week, and that's okay.
