If you’re even somewhat close to the being called skincare geek, our hunch is that you haven’t been spared from hearing the new force of nature: retinol. If you’re asking yourself, what is retinol & retinol benefits for skin?, we have some answers for you. In basic terms, retinol is a skincare active that has secured the winning position in the anti-ageing skincare game, without any contest!
A retinolface serum, cream, or treatment is exactly what you should be looking for if you’re someone who wants to stock their skincare products with the best preventative or anti-ageing ingredients. Read below to find out the benefits of retinol & what does retinol do to skin!
What Is Retinol?
Retinol can be generally categorised as a derivative of vitamin A. It is a form of retinoid that can enter deeper depths of the skin for excellent outcomes. It is mostly used in anti-aging skincare to help stop the skin’s obvious indications of ageing. If you’re wondering just what is retinol used for in skincare, let us start by examining the most prevalent benefits of retinol.
How Retinoids and Retinols Function?
The active ingredient in retinols and retinoids is retinoic acid – that’s what’s responsible for accelerating cell turnover. Retinols undergo several changes to their formulation in order to become retinoic acid, whereas retinoids get converted to retinoic acid, thus they’re faster acting and more effective.
According to a 2010 study, the acid works by diffusing through the cell membrane and binding to receptors on the cell’s nucleus, where it acts like a gene to promote cell growth. According to a 2015 study, retinoic acid also inhibits the production of collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen. With age, collagen production slows. It must be preserved: According to the Cleveland Clinic, more collagen equals plumper, more voluminous skin with healthy elasticity, which means fewer wrinkles and less sagging.
What Is the Purpose of Retinol?
What effect does Retinol have on the skin? Retinol is used to make your skin firmer and plumper by increasing elasticity and slowing collagen breakdown. Retinol also improves skin texture and tone while reducing signs of ageing.
Retinol Advantages:
Just because you’ve been hearing about this popular skincare ingredient everywhere doesn’t mean you should try it! So, if you’re wondering what retinol is used for, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the most common retinol skin benefits that will help you up your anti-aging skincare game:
Slows down Aging
Retinol thickens the deeper layers of our skin, allowing it to hold more moisture. This helps to fade or reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin appear younger. Another important advantage of using retinol on the face for anti-aging care is that it stimulates collagen production in the skin.
Skin Tone Consistency
If you ask us what our second favourite benefit of retinol serum is, we would say evened out skin tone. Retinol aids in the removal of dark spots, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and sunspots. This can help you achieve a more even complexion and clear skin.
Acne Removal
Retinol is also known to regulate oil on the skin’s surface, which aids in the control of acne breakouts. Another benefit of retinol serum that has pushed it to the top of our favourites list is acne clearing.
How Do You Apply Retinol To Your Face?
Now that you know what Retinol is, let’s look at how to use it on your face! Retinol can be used as a topical treatment and comes in the form of creams, gels, lotions and mostly serums. Start your retinol journey by patch testing your skin’s reaction to the formula. Most people experience skin purging, which eventually subsides to reveal visible results after a few weeks. Use your retinol formula on cleansed and dry skin.
Precautions To Take While Using Retinol On Skin/Face
Sure, you learned what retinol is, why your skin needs it, and even purchased the most expensive and best-selling retinol treatment available. But do you know what precautions you should take with this popular skincare active? So while you’re learning how to use retinol the correct way, keep these key precautions in mind:
Use Retinol in the evening
Retinol can make your skin more sun sensitive. As a result, limit your retinol use to your evening skincare routine. This allows you to reap all of the important benefits of retinol without causing serious sun damage to your skin.
Don’t skip Sunscreen
Although we have already advised to use Retinol post evening, your skin might still experience sensitization as an aftereffect of retinol usage. Even if retinol is not part of your morning skincare routine, wear sunscreen during the day. This is one of the most important retinol skin benefits.
Don’t make cocktails
Don’t get too carried away with retinol serum’s benefits and try to become a skincare scientist. Avoid combining retinol with vitamin C and other AHAs/BHAs. These combinations can be a little too harsh for your skin, resulting in some unpleasant side effects.
What are the side effects of retinol?
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Many retinol skincare products have a number of potential drawbacks. Some brands use essentially inert amounts with no skin benefits, whereas others use such potent retinoid-based formulations that the risks of side effects outweigh the benefits.
These side effects (dry, flaking skin and mild irritation) are becoming less common as technology advances. To avoid the irritation caused by an increase in cell turnover, the best retinol products on the market today use advanced formulations and slow-release encapsulation delivery systems.