Can I Bleach My Face While Using Retinol? Helpful Explanation

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Can I bleach my face while using retinol? People become confused about the applicability of facial bleach and retinol at the same time. If you have the same confusion, read the entire article. But before you have the answer, you should know about both items.

Facial bleach is actually a chemical that helps to make skin lighter and fairer. And retinol is the formation of Vitamin A that nourishes skin by producing necessary collagen on the skin. Both items have their own usage. 

Dermatologists never suggest applying bleach daily. In the first instance, it may give a great result. But in the long run, it may cause different skin irritations. Now, can I bleach my face while using retinol?

The short answer is experts recommend that you should not bleach your face when you are using retinol. Want to know why? Check the latter portions. 

Can I Bleach My Face While Using Retinol?

Avoid bleaching your face while using retinol. Why? Look, when you are using retinol, it works as a medicated item to nourish your skin, providing necessary vitamin A. It works to treat your skin problems like acne, aging signs, wrinkles, and so on. Moreover, your skin may turn dry and sensitive with such medication. Now, if you apply bleach at the same time, it may cause skin burning and other issues.

What do doctors say? According to Dr. Geoffery Vaz (Aesthetic Dermatologist), “Stop using bleach. There are other ways to lighten skin than using bleaching creams. As a chemical, bleach may cause allergic reactions and pigmentation issues in the long run. Retinol or Tretinoin increases the skin’s sensitivity, making it more reactive to any application. So, applying both items to the skin simultaneously can be harmful to you.”

Moreover, both retinol and bleach have different uses and medical perspectives. In this situation, applying any such products to the skin that work differently can be alarming. Here, when you are on retinol, it increases collagen production in the skin for the treatment. At this time, your skin turns dry and sensitive. And, you can’t apply any such items for such sensitivity that can cause severe skin irritation. 

Experts recommend not to bleach regularly on normal skin. Bleaching is even prohibited when the skin becomes sensitive due to retinol. It can burn your skin and cause breakouts. So, never bleach your skin while using retinol. Needless to say, you should use bleach, keeping a minimum of 15 days gap between two sessions.

Can I Use Hydroquinone And Retinol Together?

When the debate is running about the application of bleach and retinol, another topic arises about the application of hydroquinone and retinol. Can you use them together?  

Yes, you can use hydroquinone and retinol together. Now you may be surprised that hydroquinone is supposed to be a bleaching agent. And as we know, bleach and retinol are not suggested to apply at the same time. Why can hydroquinone and retinol be used simultaneously?

Look, hydroquinone is not a direct agent of bleach. It is suggested by the doctor to use as a bleaching cream. But it doesn’t contain any such bleaching ingredients. Why is it suggested? The reason is hydroquinone works from the deep of the skin to add more glow and retain the natural skin tone. In easy words, to turn your face more flawless and lighter, you can use this hydroquinone instead of bleach. 

Since hydroquinone is not toxic enough like bleach and won’t cause any skin burn, you can apply retinol with it. Moreover, both the items work well together. However, we recommend consulting with a dermatologist before you go with them for your concern.

About The Facial Bleach And Retinol: Including The Application To Skin

It is now certain that you can not use bleach and retinol together. Once your treatment is done with one item, you can start with another. Even if you use them separately, you must know about bleach and retinol, including their application.

About Facial Bleach 

Facial bleach is made of chemicals. Its main ingredient is hydrogen peroxide (bleaching agent), which makes the hair on your face lighter so that they become less visible. Moreover, it makes the appearance brighter and fairer by recovering skin imperfections like dark spots and sunburns. 

How To Apply Bleach To The Skin?

Before applying bleach, you need to follow some preventive steps for the best result. What are they?

• Don’t apply bleach to the infected areas of the skin.
• Don’t apply bleach if your skin is dry and sensitive.
• Avoid applying it around your eyes.
• Make sure the beach won’t get in contact with your hair.
• Stay away from the sun just after applying the bleach.

It’s time to start the application process-

• Wash your face properly with soft water, applying a good face wash. 
• Mix the bleaching powder and cream accordingly.
• Apply it properly on the face where you want to bleach. Apply a thin layer of the mixture on the lips and a thick layer on the cheeks, neck and forehead.
• Wait for 10-12 minutes.
• Rinse the bleach off from the skin using a cotton ball and water.
• Run a small piece of an ice cube on your face.
• Wipe the skin with a dry towel.
• You may apply a moisturizer.

About Retinol

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that’s applied to the skin. It is classified with the retinoids, which are a subclass of the vitamin A derivatives. Moreover, it is highly efficient in reducing the signs of aging skin and treating acne at the same time.

How To Apply Retinol To The Skin?

• Wash your face with an alcohol-free face wash.
• Let your face completely dry.
• Take a small amount of retinol on your palm and pat it on your skin.
• Gently massage all over the skin except the eye area.
• Have an after application of moisturizer.
• Put on the sunscreen before you go out in daylight.

FAQs

Can I do facial while using retinol?

Yes, you can do facial while using retinol with certain limitations. While using Tretinoin, you are able to get a facial. But not all types of facials. You may only be able to choose from a few different kinds of facials. In this regard, we suggest consulting with an expert beautician.

What should not be used with retinol?

AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acids)/BHA (Beta-Hydroxy Acids), benzoyl peroxide, and vitamin C should not be mixed with retinol. It is because of the possibility of a toxic reaction. For example- AHA and BHA acids exfoliate the skin, which may cause dryness and irritation if you also include retinol in your skincare routine.

Can I use face oil after retinol?

If the serum or face oil is calming or moisturizing, then retinol and face oil may be used together. However, make sure you’re not overdosing on facial oil with retinol.

Can retinol make skin darker?

Yes, retinol may make your skin darker. People with a dark skin complexion tend to have more prominent pigmentation problems. As a result, it might take a long time to completely disappear. 

Conclusion

Bleach and retinol both are incompatible with each other while applied together. As you know already, bleach is for hiding the hair on the face and turning skin brighter. And retinol is for treating skin imperfections like acne and wrinkles. 

Moreover, retinol turns skin sensitive to applying such chemicals as bleach. As a result, your skin may be damaged deeply by applying bleach with retinol. So we hope you know about both the bleach and the retinol. Try to use them accordingly.