Everything you want to know about retinol
Then we are talking about an exfoliant, then hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are indispensable and then everyone must use CBD. Developments in the beauty industry are moving so fast that you can hardly keep up sometimes. Nowadays, everyone is talking about the ingredient retinol, but what is it actually? And more importantly: what does it do for your skin? I'm going to tell you all about it.
Retinol is one of the most researched ingredients we know in skincare. Years ago, the ingredient was only used for acne-prone skin, but what did research show? People not only had less acne but also smoother skin and fewer lines. Since then, it has become a staple in the beauty industry and retinol, also known as vitamin A, is super popular.
Vitamin A can attach to your skin cell and ensure that the cell behaves healthier and younger. So if you suffer from fine lines or wrinkles due to, for example, sun damage, retinol can help reduce this. This is because retinol is rich in antioxidants and also stimulates collagen production. And we need that collagen to keep your skin elastic and thus smoother, younger, and fresher. A small side note: unfortunately, there are no creams that will make you look like a teenager, and that one deep wrinkle we also unfortunately can't get rid of, but hey, that's not necessary either. We just have to ensure, no matter how young or old we are, that your skin looks as healthy as possible, right? That dull and dry skin, we need to stay away from, because it makes you look older. We can prevent that by using retinol among other things.
You can buy vitamin A at the drugstore around the corner, but you can also get it on prescription. On prescription from your doctor, you will receive a vitamin A acid, also known as tretinoin. This works more effectively for rejuvenating the skin and also against acne, which is what it was originally intended for. An important note: only use it on advice, as the chance of skin irritations is very high and it is not necessarily better. The vitamin A that you can buy online and in stores contains a slightly lower percentage and is therefore safe to use, except if you are pregnant; then it is wise to leave it alone. Store it dry, dark, and ensure that it comes into contact with air as little as possible. So if your retinol is in a jar, you should ask yourself how active the ingredient still is after a few applications.
If you are going to start with retinol, it is wise to build it up slowly, as your skin needs to get used to this ingredient. So use it a few times a week only in the evening for the first few weeks. If you notice that your skin remains irritated after a longer period, stop applying it. I always use the product only in the evening, so it can work well overnight. Would you prefer to use it during the day? That is also possible, but make sure your skin is extra well protected against the sun. Are you curious about which retinol you should have? Here is a list of our favorites.
1. Retinol 0.3, €85,- SkinCeuticals
2. A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum, €85,- Sunday Riley
3. Anti-Aging Retinol Serum, €49,95 CeraVe
4. Vitamin A Serum, €49,95 €42,65 Dr. Jetske Ultee
5. Retinol 0.5% in Squalane, €6,95 The Ordinary
6. Resist Anti-Aging Retinol Serum, €43,- Paula’s Choice
7. Retinol Serum, €10,45 The INKEY List
8. Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment, €61,- Paula’s Choice
Source: Paula’s Choice, Dr. Jetske Ultee
