Faberlic's Retinol Products: A Look and How to Use Them

Retinol is the strongest-evidenced over-the-counter ingredient for texture and fine lines, and Faberlic has a retinol direction alongside its oxygen and Botanica series.

It is also the ingredient most often abandoned in week two, because people start daily.

The introduction schedule

Not "as tolerated" — write it down:

Mild dryness and slight flaking in the first weeks is normal. Persistent redness, stinging or peeling is not, and means you are moving too fast — drop back a step rather than pushing through.

Sunscreen is part of the deal

Retinol increases sun sensitivity. Using it without daily sun protection undoes the benefit and can leave skin worse than before.

If you will not wear sunscreen daily, this is not the right ingredient to start.

Applying it

• Night only
• On completely dry skin — wait ten minutes after cleansing. Damp skin increases absorption and irritation
• A pea-sized amount for the whole face
• Avoid the immediate eye area and the creases of the nose and mouth unless the product says otherwise
• Moisturiser after — or before, if your skin is sensitive, which reduces irritation at some cost to strength

Do not combine

While adjusting, not on the same night as: exfoliating acids, scrubs, vitamin C, or any other new active.

Who should not use it

• Pregnant or breastfeeding — retinoids are generally advised against; ask a doctor
• Currently irritated, sunburnt or broken skin
• Active rosacea or eczema — talk to a dermatologist first
• Anyone on prescription skincare — ask the prescriber

Timeline

Months, not weeks. Texture and tone first, fine lines later. Judging at four weeks tells you only that four weeks is not long enough.

What the catalogue says

Concentrations and full compositions are published in the Faberlic catalogue, and that is where to check them — retinol strength matters, and it is not something to guess at from a product name.

For the wider introduction guide, see the skincare section.