Retinol: The Peeling, The Process, The Payoff – And My Two-Year Journey With It

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in front of the mirror wondering, “Why is my skin peeling, red, tight, and just plain angry?”—you’re not alone. Retinol, while hailed as a gold-standard in skincare, is not always love at first sight. In fact, for most of us, it feels more like a toxic relationship in the beginning—one you want to break up with before it ever has the chance to prove it’s worth the fight.
And trust me, I’ve been there.

Let me take you behind the scenes of my own retinol journey, one that has taken me a full two years—yes, two years—to fully acclimate to using ZO Skin Health’s Complex A, a potent 1.23% retinol. When I say I’ve experienced the “retinol uglies”—I mean it in every sense of the word. Peeling like a shedding snake, red as a tomato, flaky patches that couldn’t be hidden with even the most forgiving foundation, and a tightness that made smiling feel like a workout.

But here’s the thing: I stayed the course. Slowly. Methodically. And patiently. And today? My skin is the clearest it has ever been—completely free from pigment, my pores are refined and barely visible, my oil is balanced, and my texture is smoother than it was in my twenties. I say that not to brag—but to encourage you. There is absolutelya light at the end of the flaking tunnel.

So Why Does Retinol Make Your Skin Freak Out?
Let’s break it down. Retinol works by speeding up your skin’s natural cell turnover. It forces those old, dull, and damaged skin cells to shed faster than they want to, making way for newer, healthier cells underneath. This entire process is called desquamation, and while it’s happening, your skin is going through a deep, cellular transformation. The peeling, flaking, redness, and dryness? That’s your skin’s version of a boot camp.

Think of it like going to the gym after a long hiatus. You lift weights, and the next day your muscles are sore—that soreness is from tiny tears that rebuild stronger over time. Retinol does the same thing for your skin. It’s controlled trauma for the sake of long-term strength and resilience.

But here’s a critical layer most people miss: your skin isn’t always in the same phase of its renewal cycle. When we’re young, that cycle is a breezy 28 days. But as we move into our 40s and beyond, it can slow to 40–60 days. That sluggish turnover means dead skin cells hang out longer than they should, leading to dullness, clogged pores, pigment, and uneven tone. Retinol helps speed that process up—but it can hit differently depending on where your skin is in that cycle when you apply it.

Some nights you’ll sail through with glowing skin. Other nights you’ll wake up tight, raw, and flaky. That’s normal. That’s part of the process.

This Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
One of the most important things I teach my patients—especially those with melasma, acne, pigmentation, or early signs of aging—is that retinol doesn’t give instant gratification. It’s not a magic wand. It’s a slow build. A commitment. A promise to your future face.

The real magic happens at the 12- to 18-month mark. That’s when the long-term benefits start to lock in. Your fine lines soften. Pigment fades. Pores shrink. Your skin begins to self-regulate oil and become more resilient. Your glow becomes effortless.

But that only happens if you stay the course.

In my clinic, we carry pharmaceutical-grade retinols from ZO Skin Health, which range from gentle to powerful:

Understanding these delivery systems is crucial. Microemulsion penetrates deeper for dermal-level changes, while oleosome systems are ideal for more sensitive or surface-focused concerns.

How to Start the Right Way
If you’re new to retinol, I always recommend starting low and going slow. Begin with a 0.25% or 0.5% strength, and only use it 2–3 nights per week to start. Let your skin get used to it. Once you’re tolerating it well, bump it up to every other night, and eventually nightly—if your skin allows.

And please, for the love of your barrier, don’t forget to hydrate.

At Raw Canvas, we don’t do generic moisturizers. We use functional hydrators that protect, replenish, and repair the skin’s barrier. These are some of our favorites:

Every single one of these is available through the clinic, and they’re not extras—they are essentials if you want your retinol journey to succeed.

The Raw Truth
Every skin is unique. Your journey won’t look like mine, or your friend’s, or that influencer’s on Instagram. But what I can tell you is this: if you stick with it, support your skin, and trust the process, you will emerge with skin that is not only clearer and brighter—but stronger and healthier.

There’s nothing wrong with the retinol uglies. They are the badge of commitment. They are the chrysalis stage before the butterfly.

And now, two years in? I can honestly say that using Complex A 1.23% has changed my skin in ways no other product ever has. It was hard-earned. It took time. It took patience. And it was so worth it.

This isn’t just skincare. This is skin health.

Long-term. Foundational. Transformational.

If you're ready to start—or restart—your retinol journey, we’d love to help guide you. Book a consultation through rawcanvas.com, or visit the clinic and let’s find a plan that works for your skin, your goals, and your life.

You’ve got this.

And your future face will thank you.

— Amanda Connolly
Founder, Raw Canvas Skin + Wellnes