Retinol. One of the best ingredients in skincare. However, knowing how to use retinol can be a challenge. So, below we have included some common retinol questions to help you better understand the ingredient and how to use it.
Firstly, retinol is a vitamin A derivative and falls under the category of retinoid.
Question 1: What is retinol used for?
This is an ingredient is known to be the leading ingredient for anti-aging and one of the leading ingredients for acne.
This ingredient helps with acne by decreasing oil production, increasing skin cell turnover, and normalise keratinisation to target clogged pores, decreasing inflammation, and creating an environment where bacteria can’t thrive in short.
This ingredient is the number one ingredient for anti-aging; it helps to build collagen production and increase skin cell turnover which helps address fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and potentially minimising the appearance of pores.
Question 2: How do you start a retinol?
We would recommend that you start slowly, it also depends on the strength and type of retinol you are using, our Skin renewing retinol serum is formulated with a gentler form of retinol which should mask any “retinol purging” and potential irritation, redness, and flakiness. We would suggest though that you start by using it 2-3 times a week for about 1-2 months depending on how sensitive your skin then progress to every night.
When starting retinol (and even after having used it for a consistent period) you can use the “retinol sandwich method” which is where you apply a moisturizer before and after using the retinol, creating a sandwich with the retinol in the middle.
Also, only use a pea size amount or 2-3 drops from a serum.
Question 3: Does retinol thin your skin?
Our skin has different layers to it, the first is the epidermis, the second is the dermis, and the third is the hypodermis. Now, retinol will increase epidermal thickness and an increase in dermal thickness, and this is the reason why it evens out texture and helps with fine lines and wrinkles. Yet, they normalise epidermal growth.
Question 4: Can you use retinol while pregnant?
Unfortunately, you can not use it while you are pregnant, we do recommend that you always chat to your GP about your skincare products when you are pregnant.
