How To Protect Your Skin From Waxing When Using A Retinol

Since retinol removes dead skin cells, it exposes your epidermis to the elements and can also make the skin even more sensitive. According to board-certified dermatologist Tiffany L. Clay, M.D., "Retinoids decrease the thickness of the stratum corneum which is the outermost layer of the skin. If you are missing some of this protective layer, your skin may be damaged by the waxing process" (via Well+Good). Waxing the skin involves removing hair from the face, but it also removes skin cells. Mixing retinol use and waxing together can cause the skin to tear off, darken, burn, and in some cases even scar — which you definitely want to avoid.

"Usually what happened was the skin was ablated — when the wax was removed, it removed a few cell layers, but it was too much for their skin, and it became painfully exposed," Laurie Neronha of Viriditas Beautiful Skin Therapy tells SheKnows.