Harnessing the Power of Retinol – Advantages and Uses

Retinol, also called ‘Vitamin A’, is a vitamin that is fat-soluble. In skincare, we consider retinoids which are compounds that are derived from Vitamin A and they come in different forms. They have taken the world of skincare by storm and have incredible pros on the skin. Let’s find out how.

IS RETINOL REALLY GOOD?

Yes, it is! Retinol has ample benefits for your skin and you don’t want to miss out on this magical ingredient. If you have second thoughts, let’s go through some of the benefits of retinol and it’ll surely change your perception.

IMPROVE SKIN TEXTURE

Retinol stimulates the generation of new skin cells, which makes the skin more supple and smooth. These new healthy cells are sure to give you a radiant complexion and improve the skin texture.

REDUCE WRINKLES AND FINE LINES

Looking for an anti-aging remedy? You can always turn to retinol. It increases collagen production which makes the skin healthy and look plump and smooth. With consistent use, it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and makes you look younger.

COMBATS ACNE

Acne appears when the pores get clogged with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Retinol helps to unclog the pores which minimize the chances of new breakouts and acne to a great extent. The not-so-pretty scars after acne? Retinol helps to fade those scars faster.

EVEN SKIN TONE

Uneven skin tone can be such a pain. Whether be it due to sun damage, melasma, or some other reason, it can stress you out. Retinol evens out the skin tone by fading out the dark spots and creating a better complexion.

ENHANCED PRODUCT ABSORPTION

Retinol has the ability to enhance the absorption of other skin care products when included in the skincare routine. As retinol improves the skin texture and boosts skin cell turnover, it makes it easy for other products to penetrate into the skin. So, whenever you use products like serums, moisturizers, etc., they get easily absorbed into the skin and provide better results.

ADAPTING RETINOL IN REGULAR REGIMEN

Let’s learn how to get it into your skincare routine.

PATCH TEST

Better safe than sorry. First, do a patch test to see how your skin reacts to the product. Not every skin type can handle it well.

A SLOW START

Start with a low concentration of retinol and apply a few times a week. If your skin is reacting well to the product, increase the concentration and frequency gradually.

USE IN THE NIGHT

Retinol must be used at night as it is photosensitive. Applying retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Cleanse well, apply retinol, and make sure you moisturize post-retinol.

MOISTURIZE

Apply a moisturizer post-retinol to avoid and combat dryness, and keep the skin hydrated.

PHOTOPROTECTION

In case you opt to use retinol in the daytime, use a good SPF physical sunscreen to shield your skin from sun damage.

Not all retinol-based products are the same. They have retinol in different concentration levels and in different forms like creams and serums. Consult a professional to identify which one will suit you the best. If you’re looking to slow down further aging or turn back the clock, retinol will serve you the best.