Retinol Skin Care Benefits – Why is Retinol Good for Skin?
Retinol, you may have heard of it, you may even use it in your skin care routine, or you may not know why you should use retinol at all. That’s why I decided to put together a simple explanation of the benefits of this amazing ingredient and why you should use it!
Why Should I Use Retinol?
Retinol is extremely beneficial for the skin, and not only for parents of three! If you have skin issues like enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture. Believe it or not, retinol can solve all of these problems!
After about 4 weeks of use, you will notice a big difference in your skin, and after 3 months of continued regular use, noticeable changes will become apparent. Your skin will feel firmer, plumper, and look younger. Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out, and the skin looks smoother overall. Lastly, skin pigmentation caused by sun damage or acne scars is visibly reduced. Yes, it really is that good!
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A and incorporating it into your skincare routine can boost skin renewal. Supporting skin renewal will ensure your skin has a healthy glow all year round, as dead skin cells tend to linger on the surface of the skin, giving it a dull, lacklustre appearance. Retinol can also penetrate the lower layers of the skin and support collagen production, which is essential for keeping your skin youthful and healthy. When we reach our 30s, the rate at which collagen is produced slows down. Although this may sound discouraging, retinol is the first step in managing this condition, and the sooner you add it to your daily routine, the more preventative benefits you will reap! Other issues such as sun damage are also significantly reduced. What you should remember about sunburn is that you can’t make it go away completely, but over time, the pigmentation will become lighter and less noticeable to the naked eye.
When should I use retinol?
There are a lot of conflicting opinions and information on the internet regarding the topic of retinol! The most common claim is that using retinol during the day can actually speed up premature skin aging and even cause skin irritation and possible burns. This is not true, the only problem that can occur with using retinol during the day is that the sun can reduce the effectiveness of the retinol, making it unapplicable! To really reap the benefits, it is best to use it at night before bed.
How to Use Retinol?
Retinol is a complex product, mainly because it has different effects and can cause reactions on the skin if used in excess. This is the best way to introduce retinol into your daily routine without causing irritation, burning or discomfort.
Start by choosing a lower percentage of retinol, such as 0.3%.
Use it twice a week in the evening for the first two weeks.
You can then use it every other night for the next two weeks.
Over the next few weeks, your skin will be fully acclimated to using the product every night.
Your skin is now accustomed to the retinol, and the percentage can be increased to 0.5%, 0.6%, 1%, and 2%.
This routine is best if you want to introduce retinol without causing a reaction. It is one of the most confusing and complex ingredients on the market, but once you understand a good starting point for using it, you won’t look back!
Can I use retinol if I have acne?
Retinol is a very effective ingredient. It opens up pores, promotes skin renewal, and supports cell turnover. All of this helps restore blemish-prone skin to a healthy state and makes it easier to care for while fighting breakouts. If you follow the steps above, you will notice a noticeable reduction in your pimples or blemishes.
If you still have hyperpigmentation from acne scars, retinol can also help, and after 3 months of use, you will notice that the pigment is no longer visible to the naked eye.
All skin types will see a noticeable difference after using retinol, from signs of aging to sun damage to uneven skin texture and more. If you are still concerned that retinol is not right for your skin, talk to your GP or dermatologist and seek professional advice.
You cannot add retinol to your routine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication that cannot be taken with vitamin A.
Can I use AHAs and BHAs with retinol?
There is a lot of conflicting information about using liquid exfoliants such as AHAs or BHAs at the same time as retinol. Many claim that using both products can lead to overuse and unpleasant reactions in the skin. I can put your mind at ease by telling you that this is not the case. Both products work on different layers of the skin. Retinol works with the cellular movement in the lower layers of the skin, while liquid exfoliants like AHAs and BAHs work to remove dead skin cells on the surface. Because they don’t fight each other or overexpose the skin with skin-drying formulas, they actually become a powerful duo that work together to keep your skin healthy and glowing.
That’s it for retinol. Hopefully, you now have a little more knowledge and understanding of this powerful (albeit complex) ingredient.
