A beginner’s guide to retinol
by Dr Ros DebenhamYou’ve probably already heard of this magical skincare ingredient. Everyone is raving about retinol, and there’s a reason for that! It is a natural derivative of vitamin A and is commonly found in anti-aging creams. Here at Radiance, we love it and recommend it to our clients a lot. But before you start using retinol face cream, there are a few things you should know. So let's discuss...retinol for beginners.
As we age, our cell renewal process slows down. At the age of 19-21 the process takes 14-21 days, compared to a middle-aged adult where it is estimated at around 28 days. You can read more about the skin cycle here. That slower cell regeneration is what causes your skin to look dull, feel dry, and show signs of ageing. This is where retinol comes in to help out.
What is retinol?
Retinoids are a type of chemical compound and have found use in medicine because they regulate cell growth. Retinol is a type of retinoid. It is medium strength and therefore less harsh on the skin than other prescription products. It might not work as quickly as other stronger options such as tretinoin, but you are less likely to experience unpleasant side effects from it. A lot of stronger prescription retinoids can cause irritation and redness, which isn't necessary.
This transformative ingredient tricks your skin into speeding up the process of turning over new skin cells. This will leave your skin looking fresher and younger than ever. Retinol comes in different forms and strengths and it’s important to choose the right one for your skin. We will discuss how to do this later on in this article.
Retinol won’t fix your skincare concerns overnight, but after 3 months of consistently using it, you’ll definitely be able to see a positive change in your skin. Your skin texture will improve and wrinkles will look less defined. It also has lots of other benefits too!
Retinol for acne
Lots of people battle with acne. Whether that’s through their teenage years, due to hormonal changes, or adult acne. Struggling with acne, especially as an adult, can be frustrating, stressful and harm how we will feel about our appearance. Thankfully, retinol is a great ingredient to add into your skincare routine and a lot of people who suffer with acne get great results from using it.
As well as using retinol to slow down the ageing process and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, it can be used to treat acne, scarring, and dark spots. Clients have completely transformed their skin texture and tone over time with this ingredient.
It helps to unblock pores and exfoliate the outer layers of the skin which can help prevent the formation of pimples. It also targets the deeper layers of the skin and encourages collagen and elastin production which will give your skin a fresh plump look after continuous use.
Other acne treatment products can be extremely harsh on the skin. Retinol is a great alternative if you choose the right strength for your skin.
Retinol side effects and aftercare
It’s perfectly safe to use on your skin, however if you rush into things and don’t use them properly there can be some unpleasant side effects. If you have very sensitive skin you’ll want to approach with caution, but your aesthetician can give you the advice you need to introduce retinol into your skincare routine safely.
It is likely that retinol will change your skin texture. This might mean that you experience some dryness or dehydration. It will also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so make sure you invest in a good SPF, at least factor 30 and wear it every single day on your face. Even when it’s cloudy, it’s still important to wear sunscreen as the harmful rays can still damage your skin, and even more so if you’re using retinol.
We would also advise that you make sure the other skincare products in your regime are gentle on the skin. Keep your routine simple whilst you let your skin get used to the retinol.
The best retinol face cream for beginners
Choosing the best retinol products for your skin can be hard. That’s why we are here to help! At Radiance, we use ZO Skin Health Products and there are plenty of options when it comes to retinol creams, eye creams and serums in the range.
If you’re interested in upgrading your skincare routine and introducing a retinol cream, book a digital consultation today. This will help us ensure that we make the right recommendations and retinol percentage for your unique skin type. We can also suggest products that will work nicely alongside retinol. We can discuss your skincare concerns and goals and get you on the road to your glow-up!