Retinol is an anti-ageing active ingredient that can legitimately transform your skin, clearing acne, plumping wrinkles and improving texture and brightness all over. “A well-formulated retinol product is a powerful tool in your product arsenal if you want visible and tangible skin improvement,” says Emma Hobson from the Australian Dermal Institute. However, retinol isn’t a one size fits all product. We’re here to answer all of your burning questions.
What is it? First of all retinoic acid is a potent derivative of vitamin A, which you can only get with a prescription. Next there is retinol, which is readily found in off the shelf products and works the same way as retinoic, however a little slower. Products containing pro-retinols and other less concentrated derivatives of vitamin A tend to be weaker and therefore less effective, but with regular use will still offer an array of great anti-ageing and skin-boosting benefits.
Reinoids work by instructing living cells to ramp up the production of healthier, younger cells. This then speeds up the entire process of skin renewal. They also help reduce the breakdown of healthy collagen by UV exposure and stimulates the production of new collagen.
Retinol is also a major multi-tasker treating multiple issues at once. As retinol inhabits the production of melanin, it is very effective for improving skin discolouration and lightening brown spots. As retinoids work from the deepest layers of skin upwards you find that your skin is “much denser, plumper, more hydrated with reduced wrinkle depth, improved skin tone and an overall healthier, luminous glow.”
We recommend you start using retinol just once a week, building up from there. It’s usually better as a night product as the molecules in retinol can breakdown faster when exposed to heat and sunlight. If you’re prone to redness or have sensitive skin, make sure the rest of your skincare have simple formulas without any active ingredients. It’s also important to wear SPF30+ during the use of retinol as the skin can burn more readily in sunlight.
Regardless of your skin type, it’s always recommended that you build up retinol use over time to avoid irritation. However, if you have very sensitive skin, or are pregnant or lactating, it’s best to skip it altogether. “Retinol is usually recommended to those with the tell-tale signs of ageing and it’s also a fantastic ingredient for treating breakouts for those suffering from acne.” Ideally it’s used by anyone in their mid to late twenties and upwards (unless you’re using it to treat acne). You don’t need to break the bank to start with retinol use. Find some drug store options with retinol as an active ingredient to try first. If you find you do want to step it up, we suggest seeing a dermatologist or a specialist skin care advisor to ensure you are choosing a product that is right for your skin.
