The Retinol Renaissance: Reviving Your Skin’s Natural Glow

Marinapuellesgarcia
myskincare
Published in
6 min readApr 22, 2024

Retinol is undoubtedly the anti-aging ingredient par excellence. But the benefits it can bring to your skin go far beyond wrinkles and sagging. Read on and find out all about retinol. Once you cave in, you won’t be able to stop using it.

Retinol creams are here to stay, and no wonder. The list of benefits is endless but also raises great doubts about how to use it.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is the active form of vitamin A. It is a cell regenerator that belongs to the retinoid family, which can stimulate the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in our skin.

Retinol is one of the best-tolerated retinoids, as it is not photosensitizing, but we have to pay special attention to its use. We should incorporate it gradually into the beauty routine by using it once every three days in the first applications or starting with low concentrations. In addition, it is recommended to use it at night and to apply a high sunscreen during the day.

What are its Properties?

Its main benefits:

  • Effective with sun spots and other types of hyperpigmentation.
  • Diminishes expression lines.
  • Smoothes superficial marks such as acne marks.
  • Stimulates the formation of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
  • Improves skin firmness, elasticity, and hydration.
  • Regulates oil production.
  • Boosts epidermal turnover and eliminates dead cells.
  • It improves skin texture and reduces pore size.

From what age is it used?

Its use is recommended from the age of 30 for its benefits as a cellular renewer, as it improves skin texture and attenuates fine lines and wrinkles.

Although 20 is also a perfect time to incorporate it into your routine, it unifies the tone, improves luminosity, fights acne marks, and acts as a sebum regulator, making it an unconditional ally in your twenties.

What can it do for your skin?

With retinol, you can treat all signs of aging. Its action is to promote cell renewal and therefore fights wrinkles, reduces blemishes, and improves skin tone. It also illuminates, fights photoaging, and reduces pores. Retinol is a skin-transforming active ingredient, that acts on the epidermis and dermis layers.

4 Tips to Keep in Mind if You Are Going to Use Retinol

Now that we know what retinol is and what it is used for, it is important to take into account certain aspects to use it correctly. Retinol is a magnificent ally for skin care, but you must know how to apply it and be consistent.

  1. Always use it at night without forgetting sun protection during the day. It can be used during the day, but only if a dermatologist has recommended it. To avoid unnecessary risks, apply retinol in your night routine. And during the day, don’t forget to always use sunscreen. Retinol sensitizes the skin, especially at the beginning of the treatment, which is why it is contraindicated to expose it to the sun’s rays without protection.
  2. Incorporate it into your routine progressively. Your skin must get used to retinol or retinize, which is how this process is known. Introducing it gradually into your skincare routine is advised by applying it two nights a week and increasing the frequency according to skin tolerance. If your skin responds well, there will come a time when you will be able to use it daily, but you must be patient.
  3. Retinol can have side effects. You need to know this so that you can take it into account. One of the most frequent effects at the beginning of retinol treatment is the feeling of tightness, as well as redness, so it is recommended to use creams containing ceramides to reduce these effects. It is important that in addition to photoprotecting the skin, you increase hydration, using, for example, a couple of times a week a moisturizing mask at night or a moisturizing cream during the day with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and other emollient and moisturizing active ingredients.
  4. If you are pregnant, do not use retinol. Experts advise against using retinol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are very delicate times for the skin, which can undergo hormonal fluctuations and it is not advisable to sensitize it.

Here are some of everyone’s favorite retinol products:

La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum

Deep wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and aging indications are all addressed by the La Roche-Posay Retinol anti-wrinkle regeneration serum. Gold-standard retinol and vitamin B3 are combined in their special recipe to promote skin regeneration, soften wrinkles, hydrate skin, and restore a youthful appearance.

The Ordinary Retinol Serum 1% in Squalane

To fight obvious symptoms of aging, The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane is a water-and silicone-free skincare treatment enhanced with vitamin A. Renal cell turnover is stimulated, and fine wrinkles, photodamage, and indications of aging skin are reduced by the very stable retinol. It minimizes dark spots and imperfections while promoting healthier-looking skin.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal Serum

Strong retinol in Medik8’s Crystal Retinal Serum helps to create askin that looks more luminous and smoother. Hydrating components like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E are included, along with 0.03% stabilized retinol. It is infused with vitamin A. It purifies the skin for a refined, well-balanced look, making it perfect for people who are prone to pimples.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Retinol Night Serum

The NIGHT SERUM contains various ingredients, including Cotton Thistle Extract, Cassia Alata Extract, Poria Cocos and Beta-Glucan Extract, and Plankton Extract, which work together to improve skin quality, support the skin’s natural reparative process from UV ray damage, and reduce the visible appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

Vichy Liftactiv Pure Retinol Serum

For a more youthful appearance, Vichy’s Liftactiv Retinol Specialist Deep Wrinkle Serum minimizes wrinkles, evens out skin tone, and increases brightness. It promotes skin firmness and elasticity by containing 1% probiotic-derived fractions and 0.2% pure retinol.

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All photos: www.pexels.com

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