Retinols are the rock stars of the beauty industry for their anti-wrinkle and collagen-boosting properties. However, some of us don’t know precisely what retinol is and how it works.
Here’s all you need to know:
What is retinol?
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and is an over-the-counter retinoid. It allows the skin to accelerate its healing process and cell turnover as there are protein receptors on the skin that absorb retinol and deliver them to skin cells, stimulating the production of collagen.
Who should use it?
Retinol should be used by anyone with healthy skin that wants to look more youthful. Those with certain skin disorders such as rosacea or inflammatory acne should consult with a dermatologist before experimenting with retinol creams at home, as certain retinoids may cause further inflammation. Retinoids should also be avoided entirely by those who are pregnant or who are trying to conceive since the body absorbs retinoids, and excess amounts may not be safe.
When should you start it?
Retinol is safe to use for those in their late teens and early twenties, and it’s often recommended to start applying products with retinol during these ages to prevent the skin from premature aging. For anyone struggling with wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, you may want to see a dermatologist for a Retin-A prescription to achieve maximum results and benefits, which is what I did at age 23.
How will my skin react?
One thing to note is that retinoids can irritate those with sensitive skin. Initially, I experienced excess dryness; some people have redness on the skin when first trying retinoids. I recommend slowly introducing these topical creams into your skincare routine to allow your skin to get used to the ingredient. One tip is to mix the retinol cream with a less-potent moisturizer to reduce the chances of irritation. Another essential factor to note when using retinoids is that your skin will become much more vulnerable to UV damage, so lather up on the SPF and apply a heavy night cream.
Click here for a full list of The Best Retinol creams you can buy without a prescription.
What’s your experience using retinol products? Share with us in the comments below.
Sending porcelain skin vibes! 💋
Featured photo credit: The Independent.co.uk
Amazing! 💕
Thank you so much! I appreciate you reading. ♥️💋
i know nothing about retinol lol, so this was super helpful! thanks for sharing 💛
My pleasure! Happy Halloween 🎃 xx
I actually never used retinol, but I read a lot about it. I want to start as I’m going to be 26 soon, so it’s definitely time to include it in my skin care routine. Lovely post. xx
Good idea! It’s fantastic! 😍 xx
I started using retinol I think a year or go or so when I received a product in exchange for a review. I was nervous to use it but to my surprise, it helped my skin out so so much! My acne settled a lot and a lot of acne scars and dark spots from acne were slowly disappearing. I still use some retinol products but have diminished how often I use it (maybe once or twice a week now) and still have seen good results on my skin. I think also using retinol products has gotten me into the habit of using spf which is super important anyway lol
Glad to hear you had a positive experience. Oh, yes SPF is a must all year round. Thanks for reading. xx