Retinol has long been considered the gold standard ingredient in anti-aging skincare. But its benefits don’t end at reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Using the right retinol formulation can also help clear acne, improve skin tone and clarity, smooth skin texture, and even improve elasticity and firmness. Yet, with all of these skincare superpowers, many people are hesitant to add retinol to their skincare regimen because they have experienced flaking and sensitivity with a product in the past, especially if they used Retin-A as a young adult. Fortunately, the sophistication of retinol formulations has come a long way since the 80s and 90s. Today’s retinols are designed to prevent adverse reactions and irritation, making them comfortable and effective for virtually any skin type.
Winter is the perfect season to incorporate a retinol product into your daily skincare regimen. Why? Decreased sun exposure can significantly reduce any sensitivity you may experience while using a retinol product. Read on to learn more about the benefits of retinol and what formulations may be best for your skin.
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A. It is one member of a family of ingredients called Retinoids. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant whether you ingest it through the foods you eat, the supplements you take, or the topical skincare products you apply to your skin. When used in skincare, retinol has several benefits, including:
- Neutralizes free radicals that threaten skin
- Boosts collagen and elastin production to smooth skin and reduce wrinkles
- Prevents the breakdown of the collagen and elastin matrix of skin
- Normalizes cell proliferation to help clear blackheads and prevent acne
- Increases the rate of cell turnover in the skin to improve skin tone and radiance
- Repairs cellular damage to DNA
In essence, retinol makes your skin look and function like a younger version of itself!
What are the Different Kinds of Retinol?
Vitamin A is a powerful ingredient when utilized in skincare because it changes the behavior of our skin over time. Our body’s cells have receptor sites that can recognize and bind to Vitamin A, but in order for the cells to metabolize or use it, Vitamin A must first be converted into retinoic acid. Retin-A, an acne and anti-aging prescription that many of us used as young adults, is pure Retinoic Acid. As you may recall, pure formulations like this can irritate the skin and cause severe flaking and peeling before the skin acclimates.
Most topical retinols we use in skincare start as one of the retinoids listed below. Once applied to the skin, they naturally convert to retinoic acid that our skin can utilize. Here is a list of some formulations of retinol that you may see on the ingredient list of your skincare products. They are listed from weakest and least irritating to strongest.
- Retinyl Esters (sometimes shown as Retinyl Palmitate)
- Retinol
- Retinaldehyde
- Retinoic Acid
What are the benefits of using a retinol product in your skincare regimen?
The rate at which our skin produces collagen and elastin significantly decreases as we age. Unfortunately, these two elements of our skin are the building blocks that keep it plump, firm, elastic, and youthful-looking. The breakdown of collagen and elastin can lead to fine lines and wrinkles and an overall loss of firmness. Retinol stimulates collagen and elastin production to keep skin firm and smooth.
Just as our rate of collagen and elastin production decreases with aging, so does our cellular turnover rate. This slowdown can lead to skin appearing dull and even lead to skin congestion in the form of blackheads and whiteheads. Retinol increases and regulates cellular turnover, resulting in smoother, firmer, and brighter skin! Plus, it can also help clear acne caused by an overproduction of dead skin cells by normalizing the turnover rate and clearing pores.
What are the potential drawbacks of using retinol?
Many people have written off retinol products because of past negative experiences with the ingredient. Using a poorly formulated retinol, or one that is initially too strong for your skin, can result in irritation and flaking. That’s why you must partner with an Esthetician who can guide you toward the right products for your skin and monitor your response to make any needed adjustments.
Some obstacles you may encounter if you are using a retinol product that isn’t right for your skin, include:
- Wasting money on a poorly formulated product. Vitamin A is highly unstable and can deteriorate rapidly in unsuitable packaging. Many of today’s formulations encapsulate the retinol to prolong its viability.
- If you initially use a retinol that is too strong for your skin or use it too frequently without phasing it in gradually to your regimen, you may experience irritation and flaking. An Esthetician can help you select the correct formulation and strength for your skin and instruct you on usage.
- Because retinol exfoliates and resurfaces the skin, you may be more sensitive to sunlight. So, an SPF is a must, even in the winter, and applying your retinol only in the evening is advisable. This is why most people add retinol to their skincare regimen in the Fall-Winter and go off of it in the Spring-Summer.
- As retinol accelerates your cellular turnover, it can thin the topmost layers of your skin. This may make you contraindicated to services like waxing, chemical peels, and laser treatments. Communicate your retinol use with your Esthetician and other medical providers.
With all of these potential obstacles, you may wonder why so many people remain loyal to their retinol products. Because the results are worth it! Although it may take a little trial and error up front, using the proper retinol formulation for your skin will lead to brighter, clearer, smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking skin in as little as three months!
Are you ready to reap the rewards of adding retinol to your Winter skincare regimen? Schedule a complimentary consultation with a Skin Artisans Advanced Practice Esthetician to determine what product will suit your skin perfectly by calling (952) 234-8414, texting (952) 767-3163, or CLICKING HERE.
