Whenever I’m asked about skincare, I inevitably suggest products containing Vitamin A. This dynamo ingredient strengthens skin, stimulates collagen and elastin and locks in moisture. Retinol is a super-strength form of Vitamin A and while it requires patience during usage, the results truly justify its delicate handling.
Perfect for slowing and erasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, retinol gives skin an even tone and because it works at the cellular level and actually improves it. Originally used to treat acne in prescription-strength retinoid (also called Tretinoin and Retin-A), doctors discovered its anti-ageing benefits as a side-effect of application.
As I said, though, it requires special care. Using too much retinol, too fast can cause redness, dryness and peeling, particularly if you go the prescription route. When adding this to your routine it is definitely a case of less is more. You want to introduce it very slowly, using just a pea-sized amount every three nights for at least two weeks, building slowly to nightly application. And while daily use is the ultimate goal, it’s worth noting that this is not achievable for everyone.
Because it is reactive on most skins, I highly recommend preparing your skin with a Vitamin A moisturiser before introducing retinol. Choose a moisturiser with retinyl palmitate (mildest form of Vit A) or retinyl acetate (medium) in the ingredient list. Once you’ve had six months of using Vitamin A topically, your skin is better prepared to handle the addition of retinol.
You may have heard that you can’t use retinol in the summer, however this isn’t true. It can be used year-round, but must ALWAYS be used with sunscreen because while it is strengthening your skin, it can make you more photosensitive, which will inhibit results.
And while it can be used in summer, I wouldn’t recommend this as the ideal start time if you are adding it into your routine. Autumn or winter are better seasons to introduce it as you are naturally getting less sun exposure. Also, night time application is best no matter what the season as it isn’t photostable, so will degrade quickly in sunlight.
While a dermatologist-prescribed cream may have you ready for a big event in weeks, with significant dryness and peeling along the way, there are some great cosmeceutical options to improve skin. These will take longer to show results, but are also less likely to cause irritation, mainly due to lower retinol concentration. New product formulations using oil or encapsulation are also gentler on the skin. Consider options from Indeed, REN, The Ordinary, Colleen Rothschild and L’Oreal.
When your skin has adjusted to whatever form of retinol that you are using, using a dermal roller before application will increase penetration and effectiveness.
Are you using retinol already? What do you think?
If not, would you consider adding it to your routine?