I started using retinol a week ago because I have some fine lines and residual acne, but since the second day my face burns when I apply it. I use a good moisturizer afterward but I still feel like it's burning. Is it normal for this to happen or did I go overboard with the concentration?
If you just started a week ago and it's already burning since day two, what you're feeling is pretty typical, but the intensity matters. Retinol is a strong active and your skin needs time to adjust to it. Most people experience some irritation in the first two or three weeks, so it doesn't necessarily mean you've gone overboard with the concentration. That said, if the burning is really intense (like you can't even touch your face), then yeah, you could be using too much product or a concentration that's too strong to start with.
What I'd recommend is cutting back on frequency. If you're using retinol every day, drop it to three or four times a week for this month. Also try this: apply your moisturizer first, wait for it to dry a bit, and only then put the retinol on top. It's called the "sandwich method" and it cushions the irritation quite a bit without compromising effectiveness too much. It works wonders for a lot of people to tolerate the product better without feeling like their skin is on fire.
Give that modified routine another week or two and see how it goes. If after a week it's still burning at the same level or getting worse, you could switch to a lower concentration. In the meantime, don't add other actives like acids or vitamin C; let your skin adapt to the retinol first.
Burning is pretty common when you're starting out with retinol, especially in the first or second week. Your skin is adapting to a pretty strong active ingredient, so it's normal to feel tingling, redness, or that burning sensation you're describing. Retinol speeds up cell turnover and that can temporarily irritate your skin barrier. That said, there's a difference between mild irritation and actually getting burned - if it's unbearable or you're getting blisters or severe peeling, you probably did overdo the concentration.
What you can do is dial back the frequency for now. If you're using retinol every day, try dropping it to three times a week for a month and then gradually increase it. Also, check the concentration of your product - if it's a high-potency pure retinol (1% or higher), that's pretty strong to start with. Another thing that helps: apply the retinol to completely dry skin, wait a few minutes after washing, and then use your moisturizer. Hydration is your best friend here because it cuts down irritation a lot. And during the day don't forget sunscreen - with retinol it's a must because your skin is more sensitive to UV radiation.
If after two or three weeks of using it less frequently it's still burning the same, then maybe the concentration is too high for your skin right now. In that case it'd be worth considering starting with something gentler, like a low-concentration retinol or a retinol ester which is a bit more gentle.
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