What is Retinol?
When it comes to reversing the signs of ageing, retinol is considered as industry’s gold standard ingredient which has powers to help accelerate the skin renewal process. It reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots for smoother, firmer and more evenly-toned skin.
Retinol is simply a vitamin A derivative and a powerful ingredient. Formulas containing retinol helps fight against the signs of ageing. It is well known dermatologically approved skin-ageing solution for its ability to improve the appearance of collagen-depleted skin, speed up the skin renewal and minimize the signs of ageing.
How Does Retinol Work?
Retinol is a powerful weapon that alters the behaviour of aged cells so they can look more youthful. It assists in skin renewal, allowing radiant-looking skin while removing dead skin.
When retinol is incorporated into age-preventive skincare routines, you’ll see a boost in your skin renewal as well as improvement in the collagen production and reduction the appearance of ageing, uneven texture and skin tone and age spots.
Many dermatologists recommend a stronger counterpart of retinol- tretinoin products like Tretinoin Microsphere Gel and similar to slow ageing, improve discolouration and clear up acne.
Benefits of Retinol
Applying vitamin A topically in the form of retinol has the following benefits-
- Prevent wrinkles due to minimizing the effect, as well as smoothens fine lines and wrinkles.
- Brightens dull skin by exfoliating at the cellular level, which results in brighter and radiant skin.
- Regulates oily skin and minimize breakouts.
- Fade dark spots, sunspots, uneven complexion and even hyperpigmentation.
- Retinol can be incredibly helpful for the people who often have acne breakouts.
Best Retinol Creams
When it comes to choosing the right and best anti-ageing creams for men and women, it is important to let your dermatologist know what other products are in your daily skincare routine.
The following are the best retinol and tretinoin creams for anti-ageing-
Hyalugel
Being a pure hyaluronic acid gel, hyalugel is topically used as an anti-ageing remedy, moisturizer, conditioner, and skin lifting solution for oily and acne-prone skin. It is a non-sticky, odourless, colourless and non-comedogenic aqueous crystal gel. It enhances blood circulation, reduces pores and makes skin feel baby-soft.
Vitamin C Serum
VC-15 serum increases collagen production, eliminates fine lines and wrinkles when used in combination with tretinoin products. It vitaminizes and moisturizes the epidermis making skin glowy and radiant. Along with its antioxidant properties, it has also got photoprotective, depigmenting and anti-inflammatory properties.
Retino-A Tretinoin Cream
With 3 different concentrations of All-trans-Retinoic-Acid (ATRA) – mild- 0.025%, moderate- 0.05% and high- 0.1%, this Retino-A tretinoin cream reduces and prevents fine lines and wrinkles by improving skin elasticity and texture with younger-looking, and glossy skin. The cream is super effective against melasma, freckles and oily skin conditions.
When should you Start Using Retinol?
Von dem Hagen highly recommends incorporating a retinol product into your skincare regimen at the age of 30, 3-4 times a week. And by the age of 40s, every other night is beneficial and by 50s, 60s and beyond, incorporate a retinol product 5-7 times per week.
Though it is best for 30+ skin, however, you can also start using retinol at a younger age if you want to. It can be used to fight the signs of ageing before they become apparent. Combining retinol with vitamin C and high SPF in the morning, you can set yourself up to have great skin for the future.
Side Effects of Retinol
Everyone’s skin reacts differently to retinol. Some people may experience temporary flakiness, redness, skin peeling and sensitivity because their skin lacks enough ‘retinoid receptors’. They are the proteins naturally found in the skin.
The common side effects of using retinol products include skin peeling, irritation, redness, tingling, burning and warmth sensation, itching and scaling. These are the common side effects which you can experience at initial stages of using the retinol products.
It is generally recommended to apply high SPF sunscreen lotion and moisturizer while using anti-ageing products. The creams are generally used at night before bedtime.
Conclusion
Retinoids stimulate the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin which reduce the visible wrinkles, open pores, acne and fades hyperpigmentation. Retinol, along with Retinyl Palmitate and Retin-A is a form of retinoid.
Early use of retinol products can actually help fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles before they become obvious, so your skin stays younger and healthier. Retinol works best when gradually introduced to your skincare regimen.
