How to Build a Retinol Skincare Routine: A Step-by-Step Guide
Last Updated on June 16, 2025 by Amy
If you’re new to retinol, I highly recommend reading my Beginner’s Guide to Retinol first! Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to incorporate it into your skincare routine. Retinoids (I’ll refer to them as retinoids throughout this post, as they include all forms—check out the other post if you’re feeling confused!) are powerhouse ingredients, but figuring out how to use them without irritating your skin can be tricky. In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps of creating a retinoid skincare routine that works for your skin type and delivers the best results.
Evening Skincare Steps with Retinoids
When using retinoids, simplicity is key. As your skin gets used to the product, you can gradually add other actives back into your routine, but for now, let’s keep it simple. If you’re anything like me, it can be hard to resist the urge to try new products, especially when you have limited time. But as a mum of two, gaining back 10 minutes of deciding which products to use each night has been a huge win!
Cleanser
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My current favourite cleanser is the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm. It costs £52 for 100g and comes with a dual-action cleansing cloth—one side muslin, the other microfiber. It’s hands down one of the nicest flannels I’ve ever used: soft, effective at removing makeup, and helps to turn my bathroom into a spa experience (which is saying a lot, considering my bathroom is usually a disaster zone filled with kids’ bath toys and random clothes!).
Before using this, I usually do a first cleanse with Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water. I know I should do a proper second cleanse with a cream or water-based cleanser, but honestly, with two young kids and little time to spare, it’s what works best for me.
How to Use:
- Massage a 5p-sized amount of the Moringa Cleansing Balm into your face, neck, and eye area.
- Use the included spatula to avoid dipping fingers into the product.
- Remove with warm water and the cleansing cloth.
The balm becomes thick as you massage it in and really melts away makeup and impurities. It’s probably the most expensive cleanser I’ve ever used, so I had high expectations—and thankfully, it met them! It’s soothing and doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight or stripped. I’ve even avoided breakouts, which was a concern due to its richness.
Would I repurchase it at £52? Maybe not. If it’s outside your budget, there are great alternatives, like The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser (£13.90 for 150ml) or Beauty Pie Japanfusion Cleanser (£10 for 100ml for members). Both would work perfectly in your retinol routine!
Eye Cream
It’s important to apply eye cream before retinol to avoid it getting too close to your delicate eye area. I have made the mistake of applying it too close to my eyes in the past and the irritation was not pleasant! My current favourite eye cream is Glossier Full Orbit. It costs £28 for 15mls. I’m a big fan of Glossier and love their Futuredew and Boy Brow products. This is a lovely lightweight, gel-cream texture which targets puffiness, dark circles and fine lines. Of which I have all three in abundance! It doesn’t cause any irritation to my often sensitive eyes and I think my eye area has been looking generally brighter since I started using this.
If you’re noticing signs of ageing around the eyes, you might want to try a retinoid eye cream. You can discover some of my top recommendations in this post on retinol eye creams.
Your Retinoid of Choice!
After cleansing and applying eye cream, make sure your face is completely dry before applying your retinoid. This step is crucial, as using retinoids on damp skin can cause more irritation.
Currently, I’m using Skin + Me Daily Doser, but this routine can work for any retinoid product, including retinol or tretinoin. Skin Rocks Retinoid 2 is another favourite of mine (reviewed here!)
To apply, I wait a few minutes for my skin to air dry, then use my retinoid on my forehead, cheeks, chin, jaw, and nose. I avoid the areas around my nostrils and mouth, as they tend to get flaky.
Skin + Me recommends waiting 10 minutes before applying moisturiser. However, if you’re dealing with irritation, you can moisturise right after applying retinoid. Some people also choose to apply moisturiser before their retinoid to reduce irritation. My skin’s secret weapon is The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum (read the review here!) I use a few drops before my retinoid to help protect my skin barrier.
Moisturiser
Retinoids can be drying, so make sure your moisturiser is up to the task. If you experience dryness or dehydration, you may need a richer night cream than usual.
My favourite moisturisers for post-retinoid skin are The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + HA (£12.80 for 100ml) and Emma Lewisham Supernatural Face Creme Riche (£90 for 50ml). I’ve reviewed The Ordinary moisturiser in my Daily Morning Skincare Routine post, so I won’t go into detail here. It’s a great budget option for hydration.
However, I find myself reaching for the Emma Lewisham Supernatural Creme more often lately. It’s rich, luxurious, and has been perfect for the colder months. The moisturiser claims to improve elasticity, firm the skin, and reduce fine lines—ideal for anyone with dry or winter-parched skin. It’s a little pricey, but I love it, especially after using retinol.
Morning Skincare Steps with Retinoids
In the morning, focus on hydration and sun protection. Here are some products I love for that:
Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Serum (£93 for 30ml): Vitamin C is great for brightening, and this one is gentle enough for my sensitive skin. After about five months of tret use, I reintroduced Vitamin C into my routine, and this product has been a game-changer! Go easy if you are new to retinoids, as Vitamin C can be irritating!
Tatcha The Dewy Serum (£86 for 30g): This serum is packed with squalane and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep skin plump, which is essential when using tretinoin.
SPF is a Must!
SPF is non-negotiable when using retinoids, as they make your skin more sensitive to the sun. I recommend using at least SPF 30 every morning. My favourites are Beauty Pie Featherlight SPF + Primer, Bondi Sands SPF50+, and La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating Suncream.
Final Thoughts: What’s Your Retinoid Routine?
Building a retinoid skincare routine that works for your skin type and lifestyle is all about simplicity, protection, and consistency. Do you have any go-to products in your routine, or have you faced any challenges with retinoids? I’d love to hear your thoughts—share them in the comments below!
Great post Amy! I didn’t know you could change your Skin & Me subscription to every 2 months, good to know!
Thanks for all the great info! I used to used skin + me but got out of the habit. This blog has pushed me to start using it again for sure 🙂