You could say that retinol is the coriander of skincare ingredients...hear us out.
It works for some and doesn’t for others.
But with such a mixed reception, it can be daunting to even think about incorporating it into a skincare routine.
It’s important for everyone to figure out their individual skincare routine, and retinol could play a key part in that for some people.
So, we’re here to clear a few things up and tell you all you need to know about retinol.
What Is Retinol?
From retinol cream to retinol serum, this versatile ingredient offers something for every skin type.
A form of Vitamin A, retinol is commonly added to creams, lotions, and serums, and offers anti-ageing effects as well as acne-fighting properties.
For certain skin conditions, retinol medications and treatments with a higher concentration of the ingredient can be prescribed, but you should always consult with a healthcare professional if you think this could benefit your skin.
How Does Retinol Work?
Retinol works by encouraging healthy skin cell production, which comes with its own host of benefits.
To do this, retinol exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and keep pores clear of debris, bacteria, and oil.
With continued use, this powerhouse ingredient can give your skin a plump, rejuvenated appearance and help elevate your natural glow.
While retinol does start to work on your skin cells straight away, it is important to note that it can take a few weeks to notice a difference, so stick with it to figure out if it’s right for you.
Plus, while your skin could remain in the same condition for a few weeks, it could also look slightly worse - also known as the retinol purge - so bear this in mind, too.
Retinol Benefits
Now, let’s get to the good stuff - the benefits of retinol!
Treating Acne
Those who have dealt with acne will understand the negative effects it can have on every aspect of your life.
With lowered self-confidence due to acne, personal and professional relationships can become tricky, and the motivation to attend social gatherings can also be lowered.
Before we talk about how retinol can help with acne, we wanted to take a minute to let you know that acne doesn’t define you or your skin.
We all have imperfections, and you should celebrate every part of yourself with unconditional love always!
With that being said, we understand that it can be hard, so adding retinol to your skincare routine could be one way to help.
A common cause of acne is pores becoming blocked with bacteria, oil, and debris. Retinol works to prevent clogged pores by removing dead skin cells, debris, and oil in the pores, leaving you with fresh, clear skin.*
*Always consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional for advice when dealing with severe skin conditions.
Treating Acne Scars
Similarly to acne, acne scars can be something that lowers confidence.
They develop as a result of inflammation and acne that has been popped or picked and can last for several weeks after acne has gone.
Retinol can help reduce swelling and inflammation of acne scars, preventing further scarring and breakouts.*
*Retinol doesn’t always work on severe acne scars so if you’re dealing with these, consult a dermatologist.
Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spots
Hyperpigmentation and dark spots can develop as a result of sun damage and are also referred to as sun spots, age spots, and liver spots.
While they’re painless, a lot of people don’t like the look of them, so they'll use retinol to help lighten them.
Again, remember that it can take a few weeks for the effects of retinol to show, and you should introduce it into your routine gradually (more on this later in the blog!)
What To Look Out For
We’ve covered the benefits of retinol, so let’s get into the reason for its more negative reception.
While it is a powerful skincare ingredient, it’s not for everyone.
For those with allergies or sensitive skin, it may be a good idea to opt for other, gentler skincare ingredients that offer similar results.
With its exfoliating effects, it can cause dry, sensitive, red, and irritated skin if used too quickly, too often, or on extremely sensitive skin.
Plus, there are a few ingredients that should not be mixed with retinol:
Retinol & Vitamin C
These ingredients are known to be less effective when used together and work in different pH environments, meaning they’re not good for your skin’s natural pH balance.
Retinol & AHAs or BHAs
Mixing retinol with alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) can result in irritated skin, excessive redness, itchiness, and dry skin.
Retinol & Salicylic Acid
Both of these ingredients can dry skin out, meaning that using them together could result in a lot of dryness.
(Find out which skincare ingredients work well with retinol in our Skincare Ingredient Frenemies blog!)
How To Use Retinol
Most importantly, we always advise doing a patch test before adding retinol products to your skincare routine.
To do this, add a small amount of retinol product to a patch of skin, usually the inside of your wrist or the bend of your elbow.
If after a few days, this area is not red or itchy, you’re probably safe to use it.
The frequency that you should use retinol depends on the percentage of it in the products you’re using.
If this percentage is higher than 1%, it’s advised to start with a slow introduction if you’re a retinol newbie.
Start with 1-2 times a week and build this up slowly, allowing your skin to get used to this ingredient.
It is also safe to use retinol all year round, but it also makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, so using it with SPF is a must!
If you are incorporating retinol into your skincare routine, we’d also advise using one retinol product at a time - we don’t want to overwhelm the skin.
*You should avoid retinol products if you have sunburn, broken skin, or other skin irritation and it is also not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Our range of retinol-infused products work to exfoliate, cleanse, and leave your skin looking and feeling rejuvenated!