What's retinol do?

Retinol is a type of retinoid, which is a fat-soluble organic compound and vitamin A derivative. Retinol exfoliates the skin, increases skin cell turnover, and stimulates collagen synthesis. It is considered the gold standard for its anti-aging and skin clearing benefits.

What does retinol do to your face?

Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.

How often should you use retinol?

You'll likely want to use retinol once or twice per week initially and work up to using it more than that. The reason: Retinol can initially be drying, especially if you have sensitive skin, so it's a good idea to give your skin some time to adjust to the change in your routine.

Should I use retinol everyday?

Retinol can be used every day but needs time to work

After you've built up your skin's tolerance to retinol, it's perfectly safe to use every day. Even users in their 20s can see improvements to their skin when retinol is part of their daily routine.

What is retinol best for?

A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is widely considered by most experts and dermatologists to be the final word in effective, 'active' skincare. Studies have proven its ability to aid myriad skin concerns, from fine lines to pigmentation and even acne.

What you need to know about Retinol

What age should you start retinol?

Generally speaking, I recommend most people start using retinol in their mid to late-20s, anywhere from 25-30. This is when collagen and elastin production starts to slow down, so it's the perfect time to start reaping the preventative-aging benefits retinol has to offer.

Does retinol tighten skin?

Engelman agrees: "Retinol is the most potent ingredient that helps build collagen and elastin, which leads to tighter, smoother skin."This mixture has the added bonus of hyaluronic acid, which "can smooth, firm, and tighten the appearance of the skin," Dr. Bowe says.

What is better hyaluronic acid or retinol?

Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.

What happens when I stop using retinol?

You see, retinol impacts your skin's normal function, and when you stop it your skin has to re-learn how to regulate itself properly again. So typically when people stop using it they experience either bad acne or bad dryness for a few weeks afterwards.

Can retinol damage your skin?

Using any form of retinol makes your skin more prone to sunburn. Sun damage combined with retinol burn is a recipe for redness or discoloration, inflammation, and more.

Should I moisturize after retinol?

Regardless of your skin type or which product you use first, a layer of moisturizer should always be applied after retinoids.

Which retinol is best for beginners?

Does retinol have side effects?

First-time retinol users have reported irritation, including redness, dryness, and peeling. If you use too high a strength or apply retinol more frequently than you should, you may experience further irritation, like itchiness and scaly patches.

Can retinol make you look older?

Retinoids sink into your skin and stimulate the production of new skin cells, which speeds up exfoliation, increases collagen production, brightens scars and dark marks, smooths fine lines and wrinkles, and, yes, destroys acne. Oh, and it can also make you look 60 years old when you're 78, apparently.

Does retinol reduce pore size?

Retinol helps with blackheads and whiteheads and evens skin tones. Studies show that applying retinol cream reduces pore size and keeps them cleaner, emptying the impurities that otherwise give an oversized appearance. Retinol is most effective when used as night cream.

Can retinol cause pimples?

Applying retinol is a long-term treatment which promotes fresh skin, fewer blemishes and reduction in acne breakouts. Whereas in the short term, it can lead to acne breakouts, skin peeling, dryness, and a range of other frustrating temporary outcomes. The purge phase usually lasts for two to six weeks.

Does retinol lighten dark spots?

Takeaway. Retinol can be effective in lightening the skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots. It does so by promoting skin shedding, which improves cell turnover rate and hinders the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, which encourages the production of melanin.

Why you dont need retinol?

Retinol might not be a fit for those with overly sensitive or hypersensitive skin, those who have food intolerances or high allergic reactions, and young skin, she says. “Caution is necessary when using any vitamin A derivatives and should only be used after advice from your derm or skin care specialist,” Joss says.

What is retinol uglies?

Peeling, redness, and irritation are common onset reactions for some people when they first start to use retinol. Some reactions get so bad that the common term used to describe the list of effects has been dubbed the “retinol uglies”. Note from a skincare expert: Many things in life get worse before they get better.

Should you use retinol around eyes?

Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.

Which is better retinol or vitamin C?

While vitamin C is most notable for helping to brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, retinol is typically considered best-in-class for wrinkles and fine lines. If you really want to give your skin a one-two punch, you can also try incorporating both into your routine.

Should I wash retinol off in the morning?

Rouleau says the best time to use a scrub is in the morning. Overnight you've loosened up dead skin cells with your glycolic acid or retinol products, making the morning a perfect time to brush them off.

Does retinol help with face sagging?

Still, you may see a small change if a product contains a retinoid, such as retinol, which can help your body make more collagen. While creams and lotions produce subtle results at best, the demand for skin care products that can lift sagging skin continues to grow.

Can retinol help sagging neck?

Use Retinol for Neck Firming

For board-certified dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, Retin-A (or retinoic acid) is a hero product for neck firming. "[Retinol] is a vitamin that helps speed up cell turnover and increases collagen production," she says.

Can retinol make under eye wrinkles worse?

Bare Skin Care - Is it possible for a retinol eye cream to make my under-eye wrinkles worse? First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.