Skin aging is a natural process that happens to everyone. But, there are ways to help slow down the signs of aging and keep your skin looking its best. One way to do this is by using retinol, an anti-aging miracle ingredient found in many skincare products.
In this complete guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about retinol for skin, from what it is and how it works to the best ways to use it. So, if you're curious about this powerful anti-aging tool, read on!
What is retinol?
Retinol, a type of Vitamin A, is one of the best substances you can put on your skin! It helps boost cell turnover so that new, healthy skin cells can come to the surface. This in turn helps reduce wrinkles and improves overall skin tone and texture. It fights breakouts, eliminates puffiness and increases collagen production to give you firmer-looking skin. It's a multi-tasking powerhouse for a beautiful complexion - making it the perfect addition to any skincare routine.
Retinol may give your complexion "superhero" powers but when used improperly or without sun protection it can cause your skin to dry out or be more prone to sunburn - so it’s important to use it only at night and remove it in the morning.
Pros & Cons of using retinol
Pros
- Reduces and prevents aging signs by increasing cell turnover and collagen production
- Works hard to even out skin tone and texture, improving its overall look and feel.
- Helps fade dark spots due to sun damage or acne scarring.
- Helps control sebum production in oily skin types while moisturizing the drier areas of your face
- Retinol is an antioxidant, meaning it can fight cell damage caused by free radicals like pollutants and the sun
Cons
- Can cause redness, itchiness, peeling, burning sensation, and dry skin on sensitive skin types. So, it’s recommended to do a patch test before using the product on the face
- Increases sun sensitivity, so you can use it only at night
Ingredients specifications
Clean
Retinol is an irritating synthetic ingredient, so it can’t be considered a clean ingredient. This ingredient is made in laboratories from retinoids.
Vegan
When retinol is synthetically made by using retinoids, it’s vegan. However, retinol can also be extracted from animal sources. It’s important to read the label of the product to check if the retinol you’re using or want to use is vegan or not.
Pregnancy safe
Retinoid compounds like retinol can be absorbed into the skin when used topically during pregnancy, so it’s recommended to not use while expecting.
Breastfeeding safe
Retinol can penetrate the bloodstream and there’s no enough information yet to determine how it can affect a breastfeeding baby, so it’s advisable to avoid using retinol for skin while breastfeeding
Active ingredient
Retinol is used as an active ingredient to increase cell turnover and help reduce signs of aging, dark spots, acne scars, and skin discoloration.
Comedogenic
This ingredient has a comedogenic rate of “0”, meaning that it won’t clog your pores and cause acne. In fact, retinol can help reduce oil production, one of the main causes of clogged pores.
PRECAUTIONS: Things to know before using this ingredient
When to use retinol?
If you're thinking of adding retinol to your skincare routine, then you'll want to use it in the evening before bed and remove it in the morning, since retinol can cause sun sensitivity. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to start by using it every other day, or even just once a week.
What skin type is retinol good for?
Retinol can be used for dry, combination, oily, acne-prone, or normal skin types. If you have sensitive skin, it’s advisable to stay away from retinol since it can cause even more redness, irritation, and itchiness.
What you can’t mix with retinol?
- Benzoyl peroxide: Benzoyl peroxide is often used as an acne treatment, but it can actually make retinol less effective. If you're using both products, apply them at different times of day.
- AHA/BHA acids: AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating agents that can peel and dry out your skin when mixed with retinol
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a must-use antioxidant during the day, since it can help you protect your skin against the sun and free radicals. On the other hand, retinol has to be used at night. So, it’s better to use them at different times, instead of mixing them
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FAQ’s
Is retinol good for the skin?
There is no doubt that retinol has become one of the most coveted ingredients in nighttime skincare, and for good reason too! Retinol helps to reduce wrinkles, improves skin tone, and boosts collagen production. In short, this beauty must-have is a secret weapon for improving sun damage, acne scars, and overall complexion.
So, yes, retinol is good for the skin, but you should be mindful of its side effects.
What are retinol's side effects?
Although retinol is often lauded as a miracle worker for skin, it isn't without its drawbacks. When using a retinol product, it's important to know that there can be some uncomfortable side effects ranging from mild skin irritation to more troubling reactions. Retinol can cause dryness and excessive peeling of the skin, especially around sensitive areas like the eyes. Some users also experience inflammation, burning and redness after usage, making contact with hot showers or certain skincare products too soon afterward a big no-no. Retinol can also make your skin more susceptible to sunburns - so be sure to use it only at night
In the same way, retinol is not breastfeeding or pregnancy safe, since it can penetrate the bloodstream.
Who should NOT use retinol?
If you have very sensitive skin, it's probably a good idea to steer clear of retinol. Not only can it be incredibly drying, but because it exfoliates, overuse can cause irritation and redness. It's important to use sparingly, if at all—especially if your skin is prone to peeling in response to too much acid or other abrasive products.
Is retinol good for acne?
Retinol is arguably one of the best ingredients for keeping our skin healthy, but it's not ideal for everyone. As a type of vitamin A, retinol has been found to be helpful in reducing acne, but the amount used is key. It can help reduce excess sebum on the skin that leads to breakouts, but too much could potentially lead to irritation or further issues like dryness and redness. Researching and consulting with a dermatologist can help you determine if retinol is the right choice for your acne-prone skin.
Tips & Tricks to include retinol in your skincare routine
- Start slowly by introducing retinol usage one night a week, gradually increasing the frequency as your skin acclimates
- When taking breaks from retinol, switch to other products such as AHAs and BHAs which liven-up the skin and complete each other's work on resurfacing the top layer of skin
- Don’t overdo it. Too much retinol can cause peeling and irritation.
- Avoid using retinol if you have sensitive skin and tend to get easily irritated
