What strength of retinol do you need?
Retinol is a skincare ingredient that has been shown to provide impressive anti-aging results that everyone can benefit from. Due to varying effectiveness, this powerful ingredient comes with some instructions for use, and if not used correctly, it can cause skin reactions such as dryness, flaking, and irritated areas. While this may sound confusing, it will become easier to understand after reading this blog post, as we will provide you with some information on which strength of retinol you need.
How much retinol is the right amount?
It all depends on a lot of factors, such as: B. Your skin type and your concerns. Retinol products come in different strengths and textures, making it easier for you to find the right one for your needs. As mentioned before, it’s best to follow some precautions regarding retinol, especially when applying the product to your skin for the first time. Retinol percentages range from 0.01% to 2%. Opting for a lower strength when starting a retinol regimen will allow you and your skin to adjust without causing any reactions or irritation. Here are the best ways to ease retinol into your daily routine:
Start with a lower strength to allow your skin to get used to the product.
Start by using it once a week in the evening.
If you don’t experience any irritation, use it twice a week in your evening routine.
Gradually increase until you can eventually use it every night.
Once your skin is used to this percentage, you can start using higher strengths.
Follow steps 2, 3, and 4 with your new retinol to improve your skin’s tolerance.
Although retinol is a proven anti-aging product, it is always recommended to combine it with a blend of ingredients like AHAs or BHAs to rejuvenate and rejuvenate the skin while improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
If you want to learn more about retinol and the results associated with it, you can read our blog post on the benefits of retinol for skin care.
Low Concentration Retinol
If you are using retinol for the first time, this should be the starting point. If you have a sensitive and dry skin type, you will also notice many benefits when using this concentration.
Combining low-concentration retinol with other ingredients like antioxidants, AHAs, and BHAs protects your skin from everyday stressors like pollution, dirt, bacteria, and debris that can clog pores and prematurely age your skin. As your skin builds tolerance to retinol, you’ll notice results like:
Smaller pore size and visibility
Increased collagen and elastin production
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
Radiant, youthful complexion
Reduces pigmentation and uneven skin tone
Improves uneven texture
You’ll notice these results with all the benefits of retinol and its effects on their own.
Always remember: Use SPF during the day, even on cloudy and rainy days, as UVA rays are constantly present and can damage the skin.
Medium Strength Retinol
Once your skin gets used to the lower strength retinol, you can now switch to medium strength retinol, which typically has a percentage between 0.04% and 0.3%. If you find that a lower concentration of retinol isn’t producing the desired results for hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone, now is the time to really notice a difference. Give your skin some time to develop a new tolerance to the stronger formula and use the same routine as before, slowly introducing once a week, then twice, and so on. You should start to see results after 8 to 12 weeks.
Another benefit of retinol is that you can use it around your eyes, too. There are eye serums and creams specifically formulated to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in this area. Apply under the eyes and under the brows to tone and regenerate sensitive skin. Retinol doesn’t exfoliate, so you don’t have to worry about thinning your skin. You will notice that improved collagen and elastin production will plump up and tighten your entire face. Giving you a more youthful appearance.
High Potency Retinol
Once you reach the point where you can continue using the highest concentrations, your skin should be fully acclimated to retinol. Higher concentrates range from 0.5% – 1% and are very effective for correcting sun damage that lower concentrates can’t fully treat. For skin prone to impurities and skin with large pores, high doses of retinol can also provide significant relief for these skin issues.
Never use high doses of retinol unless you start with a lower concentration. If you don’t allow your skin to build tolerance to such a strong product, you may experience skin reactions such as an inflamed rash. Itching and flaky patches, to name a few.
Can I use AHAs and BHAs with retinol?
It is completely safe to use retinol with other skin ingredients like AHAs and BHAs. You’ll find that you get the best results when you alternate products, such as using a face wash with glycolic acid (AHA) in the morning, or a serum with salicylic acid (BHA) in the evening, followed by retinol. Try not to overload your skin with too many products, and instead try to gradually introduce a balanced and effective skin care routine over time. If you’re wondering which acid is right for your skin, read our blog post on AHAs and BHAs.
Now that you have a clear understanding of Retinol and its various benefits, you are ready to start your skin journey, and as exciting as it may be, always remember that slow and steady wins the race for a glowing face!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.