Retinol 0.1% vs 0.3%: How to Start Retinol the Right Way

Written by FRANKLY Lab. FRANKLY was founded by former cosmetic R&D researchers from one of Korea's largest beauty companies, and every formula is still developed in-house by our R&D team in Korea.

Quick answer: If you are new to retinol, start with a 0.1% retinol cream. Use a pea-sized amount every other night for 2 to 4 weeks, depending on how sensitive your skin is and how familiar you are with retinol. Once your skin feels comfortable, move up to 0.3%, starting small again. If you feel irritation, go back to 0.1% for a while. Always wear SPF the next morning.

What does retinol do?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A and one of the most studied skincare ingredients for the look of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and loss of firmness. It speeds up skin renewal, which is why it works so well, and also why skin needs time to adjust.

0.1% vs 0.3% retinol: which one should you use?

• 0.1% retinol (3,000 IU/g): the right place to start. Made for first-time users and sensitive skin, for the look of fine lines and uneven texture.
• 0.3% retinol (9,000 IU/g): 3 times stronger. For experienced users who have already used 0.1% or higher, targeting the look of deeper wrinkles, uneven tone and rough texture.

Higher is not always better. The best retinol is the one your skin can use consistently without irritation.

How to start retinol: a step-by-step plan

1. Weeks 1 to 4 (0.1%): apply a pea-sized amount at night, every other night at first, after serum and before moisturizer. Depending on your skin's sensitivity and how familiar you are with retinol, stay on 0.1% for 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Build up: when your skin feels comfortable, use it more often and apply it to the whole face.
3. Move to 0.3%: start small again with a pea-sized amount, just like you did with 0.1%.
4. Listen to your skin: if you feel irritation on 0.3%, go back to 0.1% for a while before trying again.

Retinol dos and don'ts

• Do use retinol at night and wear SPF every morning.
• Do use a nourishing moisturizer to reduce dryness.
• Don't use it right after exfoliation, extractions or laser treatments.
• Don't use it on the same night as high-strength vitamin C or strong chemical exfoliants like AHA or BHA. Alternate nights instead.

Some redness or flaking can happen in the first weeks as skin adjusts. Use a soothing moisturizer and use retinol less often if needed.

What to pair with retinol

• Hydrating serums such as PDRN Bounce Ball Serum before retinol, for bounce and hydration
• Rich moisturizers such as Butter So Much Cream after retinol, to reduce dryness
• Ceramides to support the skin barrier (both FRANKLY retinol creams include ceramide NP)

FRANKLY Retinol 0.1 and 0.3 Cream

Retinol 0.1 Cream and Retinol 0.3 Cream are built as a step-by-step system. Both use pure retinol with ceramide NP, ginseng berry extract and adenosine to keep skin comfortable. In a 4-week consumer satisfaction survey, Retinol 0.1 Cream users reported:

• 94.29% satisfied with wrinkle improvement
• 97.14% satisfied with skin elasticity improvement

*Retinol 0.1 Cream: based on a 4-week clinical consumer satisfaction survey conducted by Oracle Clinical Trials Center, n=35. Individual results may vary.

Want both? The Retinol Starter Duo includes 0.1% and 0.3% so you can build up at your own pace.

FAQ

Should I start with 0.1% or 0.3% retinol?
Start with 0.1% if you are new to retinol or have sensitive skin. Move to 0.3% after 2 to 4 weeks, once your skin feels comfortable.

How much retinol should I use?
A pea-sized amount for the whole face is enough, especially when you are starting out.

Can I use retinol every night?
Start every other night, then use it more often as your skin adapts.

Can I use retinol with PDRN?
Yes. Apply PDRN serum first, then retinol.

Can I use retinol with AHA or vitamin C?
Use them on different nights to avoid irritation.