What are the Benefits of using a Retinol?
If you’re a skincare fan, chances are you’ve heard of retinol and retinoid. This skincare product can be a little confusing at first. While it’s often used for its anti-aging benefits, retinol is a multi-tasking ingredient that can help to diminish dark spots and smooth your skin’s texture. We’re taking a deep dive into the most cited benefits of retinoids and why you should consider incorporating them into your routine.
Retinoids are an anti-aging ingredient that boosts your collagen production and cellular turnover to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Other benefits include stimulating your circulation to brighten your skin’s complexion while fading dark spots. Retinol helps smooth your skin and leave it soft to the touch. Read on to find out more about when you should start using retinol and the 7 top benefits of using retinoids.
What is retinol?
Retinol is a type of retinoid, which is derived from vitamin A. There are two parts to vitamin A – carotenoids and retinoids. The latter stimulates your collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin production.
This ingredient is available over the counter and included in numerous skincare products. It has fewer side effects than prescription-strength retinoic acid and works long-term with your skin.
Retinoids are one skincare ingredient that has been put through vigorous testing and studies. They’ve been shown to boost cellular turnover, increase your collagen production, and tackle acne. Retinoids are the queen of the skincare world. So the next question is..at what age should you start using retinol?
What is the best age to start using retinol?
It’s a common misconception that retinoids and retinol are only for older people. However, you should start with at least an over-the-counter retinol even in your 20s. In fact, most experts in the skin care industry believe that your skin will start to show signs of aging and free radical damage from sun and other external factors in your early to mid 20s.
Retinol is a go-to ingredient for younger people as it can be used to treat acne. The ingredient was originally used to tackle acne, long before it became the hyped about an anti-aging ingredient that it is today.
You can start using retinol at any time, but it should become a staple in your skincare routine from your mid 20s or early 30s onwards. Your mid 20s is when your skin starts to lose its collagen and elastin collagen, making it an ideal time to start incorporating your retinol products.
What are the 7 main benefits of retinol for your face?
Treat Acne
As retinol stimulates your skin’s cellular turnover, it’s a powerful acne treatment. Dermatologists often prescribe it in a higher concentration to acne patients. Retinol works as an exfoliant on your skin, removing dead skin cells from your pores. It can help tackle or prevent everything from blackheads to cysts and pimples.
If you’re someone who suffers from a severe case of acne, you’ll want to speak to your dermatologist to make sure you’re incorporating retinol in the right way with the rest of your routine.
Increase Collagen
Retinol works in the dermis of your skin to boost your collagen production to prevent premature aging. When your collagen production is working at its optimum level, your skin will be firm and tight, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen is the substance in your skin that you need to ensure its hydration and maintain your skin’s elasticity. Without elastin, your skin will start to sag and show signs of aging.
Diminish Fine Lines & Wrinkles
The second benefit leads straight on to this one. With your collagen and elastin production supported by retinol, you can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Wave goodbye to crow’s feet or forehead wrinkles.
Refine Pores
As retinol work at a cellular level, it improves cell turnover and keeps your pores clear and unclogged. It’s like exfoliating your skin to remove dead skin cells. When your pores are clear, they appear more refined and smaller. With unclogged pores, you’re less likely to suffer from acne breakouts and will have visibly brighter skin. Your retinol will also help to regulate your moisture levels to prevent excess sebum production and control breakouts.
Fight Hyperpigmentation
One reason retinol is popular amongst all age groups is that it can diminish the appearance of age spots, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. It can even help you even out your skin tone for a more radiant complexion.
Reduce sun damage
While it’s not possible to entirely reverse sun damage, retinol is the closest thing to a full reversal. As it encourages cellular turnover and boosts your collagen production, it replaces your damaged skin cells with healthier cells. Using retinol as a regular part of your routine can help you limit and treat the signs of sun damage.
Reduce Redness
Our last benefit for using retinol links all six mentioned above. If you have redness from acne or inflammation, retinol will soothe your skin by boosting your hyaluronic acid production and stimulating cellular turnover. Retinoids will smooth your skin and leave it looking and feeling cooler.
Who should use retinol, and who should avoid retinol?
Retinoids – including retinol – are safe to use on your skin. You don’t want to jump in at the deep end. It should be a gradual process of introducing retinol to your skincare routine. Retinoids are not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ product, and it may take some trial and error to find the one that works for you.
If you’re planning on trying a higher concentration of retinol, it’s worthwhile speaking to your dermatologist. When you start using retinol, limit it to a few times a week and gradually work your way up.
One thing to consider about retinol is that it leaves your skin more sensitive to sun damage after use. If you’re someone who is always outdoors or spends the summer bathing on the beach, you might want to skip retinols until the colder months. At a minimum, you should always wear an SPF after applying your retinoids and avoid being in direct sunlight.
When will I see results from using retinol?
Retinol is not an overnight treatment.
When you’re using retinoids – including retinol – you’ll have to be patient. It depends on your skin type, but you usually have to wait at least a few months to see visible results from using retinol. It’s not too different from serums, which take at least four weeks to give you noticeable results. It will likely take around six months for you to start seeing results from using your retinol.
Does retinol expire?
Retinol does have an expiration date like most other skincare ingredients. The shelf life of retinol can vary depending on factors such as the formulation, storage conditions, and the packaging. Generally, retinol is considered to have a shelf life of 1-2 years from the date of manufacturing. After this time, the effectiveness of the product may start to diminish, and it may become less stable, resulting in potential skin irritation or reduced efficacy. Therefore, it's important to check the expiration date on your retinol products and discard them if they have passed their expiry date.
The best way of seeing results is to be consistent with using your retinol as part of your regular skincare routine. While you can use your retinoids daily, you can use retinol a few times a week and still enjoy the benefits.
Whether it’s for anti-aging or acne treatment, retinol is one ingredient you don’t want to overlook for your skincare routine. We hope these seven benefits have shown you the potential of retinoids and why you don’t have to rely on prescription retinoids to see results. If you’re consistent with your retinol use, you can see a visible improvement in your skin within a few months.
When should you use retinol serum in skincare routine?
The ideal time to use a retinol serum in your skincare routine is during your evening regimen. Begin by cleansing your face to remove impurities, followed by applying a gentle toner if you use one. Afterward, apply a pea-sized amount of retinol serum to your face, ensuring it's fully absorbed before proceeding.
It's essential to use retinol at night as it can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration and minimize potential dryness or irritation. Start with a lower concentration if you're new to retinol and gradually increase usage as your skin becomes acclimated.
