We all know what makes us look older – dull, dry, wrinkled skin with maybe a few patches of pigmentation which happens naturally as we hit our mid 30’s but fear not, we have an ally in our quest for clear, bright skin. It’s what beauty editors and dermatologists rave about and it can be your best friend – retinol.
Retinol is from the Vitamin A family and is a type of retinoid which works by speeding up cell turnover and regeneration in skin and increases collagen production. Prescription versions of retinol are known by names including tretinoin and tazarotene.
Retinol is a must have in your skincare routine and is well known for reducing the signs of ageing but those of you with sensitive skin should start with a low percentage and build up. Retinol can increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen and elastin production, all things we absolutely want to keep our skin fresh and youthful. Retinol can also increase the appearance of skin by plumping up fine lines and wrinkles making then less apparent. Retinol is known to improve uneven skin tone, treat pigmentation and smooth out the appearance of skin and is fabulous for those with acne and blemishes.
When you start to use retinol you can expect some redness or dryness so it’s best to start off gradually and build up. Start using your retinol twice a week and then gradually build up and always avoid the delicate eye area. Any redness or dryness should settle after a couple of weeks use but be gentle with you skin in the meantime. You should begin to see a difference in your skin within a month as cells renew.
We recommend you start to use retinol while you are in your mid 20’s though you can start even earlier if you suffer from acne remembering to start off slowly and always moisturise.
Retinol is so important that it gets a mention by Harvard Health who say on their website “Retinol is the most used and most studied anti-aging compounds may reduce fine lines and wrinkles” and
“Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen” https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-retinoids-really-reduce-wrinkles
It’s absolutely essential you use an SPF when using retinol products as skin may become more sensitive. It is also worth noting that using a retinol product is not a moisturiser but a treatment and as such, you should follow with your usual moisturiser. It is also recommended you use any retinol products at night.
Want to try adding in a retinol product? Check out our D’Avoire retinol cream and our Vitamin A cleansing bar.