THE BENEFITS OF RETINOL FOR SKIN, AND PRODUCTS TO TRY

We all have become familiar with a variety of skincare ingredients and use them in our day-to-day routine. However, one ingredient that is still a part of the conversation and is sort of confusing is retinol. Despite all the information present on the internet, most of us aren’t sure of how it works or what it actually is. Most of us are under the impression that it is an anti-aging ingredient while others assume it is an acne treatment. In this article, we will present you with authentic information that will enable you to use it effectively.

All the information presented in this article is overviewed by dermatologists. We will cover everything from skincare routines, how and when to use them, precautions, and the best products to include in your skincare routine. Keep on reading to eliminate all sorts of confusion you ever had regarding the ingredient.

THE BASICS OF RETINOL

TYPE OF INGREDIENT: It is essentially an antioxidant

MAIN BENEFITS: Retinol is known for increasing cell turnover, boosting the production of collagen, and regulating oil production in the skin.

WHO SHOULD USE IT: Retinol is amazing for anyone who wishes to eliminate the signs of aging. It is not suitable for women who are planning to get pregnant, are pregnant, or lactating. Individuals struggling with skin conditions like eczema or rosacea should stay clear of retinol.

HOW OFTEN CAN YOU USE IT: Initially, it is recommended to use retinol-based products twice a week. Starting slow will prevent any irritation and help build up pain tolerance. Only apply it at night time and follow it up with a moisturizer. Don’t use it during the day.

WORKS WELL WITH: It generally works well with hydrating cleansers, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides.

DON’T USE WITH: Avoid using it with heavy scrubs, toners, AHAs, BHAs, astringents, benzoyl peroxide, and Vitamin C.

WHAT IS RETINOL?

Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A that is primarily used for anti-aging and is found in many skincare products. For the ingredient to work on your skin, it goes through two main steps. Firstly, it is converted into retinaldehyde and then forms into retinoic acid. Once the retinoids are converted to the active form, they get incorporated into the skin cells and influence how your skin behaves. Pure retinoic acid is available by tretinoin. While retinoic acid works amazingly well, it can get more drying and irritating.

Make sure that you use a well-formulated and stable product with retinol. It visibly reduces the appearance of sun damage, brown spots, wrinkles, lines, and large pores. Moreover, retinol stimulates the metabolism of skin cells and encourages collagen production. Essentially, the magic lies in resurfacing the skin texture and giving you a smoother, and even-toned look.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RETINOL, RETIN-A, AND RETINOID?

Both Retin-A and Retinol follow under the class of medications known as retinoids. It helps with faster skin cell turnover and has proven to reverse the signs of aging. Over the counter, retinol requires conversion in the skin to its active form. On the other hand, Retin-A is a prescription-based product that is very potent and works amazingly well at diminishing wrinkles and fighting acne. You have to speak to a dermatologist about getting the prescription.

Retin-A restores the organization of cells through cell turnover in the epidermis. They are less likely to fall into the pores and block them. Over time, it will improve the look of your wrinkles by retexturing and smoothing the skin and reducing the pore size.

BENEFITS OF RETINOL

Retinol has many benefits. Some of the primary ones are listed below:

It reduces the signs of aging as it enhances cell turnover while adding a more youthful quality to your skin.
Retinol dramatically improves your skin texture. It essentially boosts collagen production and gives your skin more structure and strength. Retinol will make your skin smooth and alter the look of dull, dead-looking skin.
It will give you the benefit of an even skin tone. Retinol will fade hyperpigmentation and make your skin smoother, softer, and non-drying.
Retinol will decrease the function of overactive oil glands and unclog the pores. It will clear the skin, make your pores look smaller, and prevent breakouts. Retinol will boost the potency of active ingredients in acne-fighting medications, especially if you use it in conjunction with cleansers.
It reduces the appearance of fine lines, skin laxity, and wrinkles. Retinol will prevent the loss of collagen and elastin.
Retinol reverses the effects of sun damage. The anti-oxidants in retinol will repair sun damage and lighten the dark spots as well.

RETINOL PRODUCTS THAT WILL WORK WONDERS

If you are new to retinol and don’t know where to begin, here are some of our favorite products to add to your skincare routine:

SKIN MEDICA – RETINOL COMPLEX 0.5

If you are looking for a retinol product to add a new life to your skin while eliminating the appearance of fine lines, look no further than Skin Medica Retinol Complex 0.5. This product has endless benefits for your skin. It enhances the skin tone, texture, and resiliency. Over time, it will minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It is encapsulated with a PhytoShield™ Complex that enhances skin texture and minimizes irritation. If you have never used retinol before, start applying it twice a week and gradually increase the usage. Use it at night time and wear sunscreen during the day.

IS CLINICAL PRO HEAL SERUM ADVANCE+

This powerhouse serum contains Retinol (Vitamin A), Vitamin E, Olive Leaf Extract, L-Ascorbic Acid, all of which work in your favor. This water-based product combines the benefits of botanical actives with scientific complexes to heal and alleviate skin irritation. The serum offers the highest level of antioxidant protection and improves the look of aging and blemish-prone skin. An added plus is that it’s paraben-free.

FINAL TAKEAWAY

Retinol can truly work wonders for you if used correctly. If you have any further questions about the ingredient or its usage, feel free to reach out to us.