Since the skincare regime has taken the internet by storm, one of the most common ingredients that you come across is Retinol for the skin. If you are a legit skincare fanatic, you ought to be curious about the functionality, benefits and uses of retinol for the skin. Do you know that using retinol in your skincare regime will help in treating a lot of skin issues?
Before you get to know what retinol does for the skin, let’s delve into knowing what is retinol. It is a secondary form of Vit A that helps your skin in rejuvenating itself. It helps you in forming new skin cells right into the dermal layers. Furthermore, it also helps in the reduction of wrinkles, fine lines and even pores. It is more like a topical treatment that you apply on the top of your skin which is available in different forms including Serums, Ointments, Gels, Creams, Ointments as well as lotions.
What does retinol do for your skin?
Using retinol on your skin daily helps in boosting skin cell production, also known as proliferation. It further helps in unclogging pores, exfoliating your skin and enhancing collagen production. This leads to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When you are including retinol in your daily skincare routine, you are giving your skin a fresher, glowing and plump outlook.
Is retinol safe?
Yes, retinol is completely safe for the skin. It is one of the most recommended ingredients in the skincare industry. Not just that, even dermatologists recommend including this in your everyday skincare. It does have compounds that help in fighting against skin ageing. Furthermore, there could be relatable but minor side effects like redness or irritation but using it regularly will help in the enhancement of the turnover rate.
Is retinol a retinoid?
Retinol is a type of retinoid which is prescribed by a board-certified dermatologist for the enhancement of your skin. It helps in the improvement of uneven skin texture. pigmentation as well as skin tone. If you are thinking retinol and retinoid are the same, you are mistaken. Retinol is the weaker counted formula from the stronger retinoid. Though the molecular structure of both the ingredients consists of Vit A, the former being weaker than the latter.
Is retinol a steroid?
No, retinol is not a steroid. It is a counterpart of a weaker version of retinoid that does have Vitamin A derivatives. It is okay and safe for long-term usage with only benefits, having a great prescription strength as well. There are very few side effects that may not sustain longer if the skin is used to the application of the ingredient on the skin. It completely varies on the usage of the product and its consistency applied to the skin.
Does retinol cause cancer?
No, it does not cause skin cancer. It might boost skin sensitivity. If you are not taking or using good SPF and other damage barriers, your skin could be prone to higher sun damage when exposed to the sun. Overexposure of your skin to the sun’s UV rays might lead to skin cancer then. Make sure that you are using effective sunscreen when you are going outside.
How to use retinol?
You may get the product of your favorite brand, and behind that, you do get the packaged instruction for retinol usage. Here is how you can use retinol for your skin –
- Make sure that you cleanse your skin well with the help of a mild cleanser. Pat dry your skin. Keep in mind that you should not scrub or exfoliate your skin if you are planning to use retinol-based products.
- Apply a thin layer of the retinol product on your full face. Avoid application to your mouth, nose and eyes.
- The dosage of the application should be almost to the side of a pea. If you are using the product for the first time, then use it every alternative day.
- Let it soak into your skin. Once done, now use a good moisturizer that will not clog your pores. And you are good to go.
It is better to use the product as your night-time regime. Even then, whenever you are going outside, with/without the product, do not forget to apply a good amount of sunscreen on your face.
Retinol benefits for skin?
Retinol is considered the star ingredient because of all the benefits it has in store for human skin. It is that all-in-one ingredient that garners all the brightening, smoothing, repairing and firming benefits for the skin. Let’s delve into details to know the benefits of retinol for skin –
1. Anti-ageing
Using retinol on your skin regularly will help in collagen breakdown. It further helps in stabilizing the skin cells which results in boosting healthy collagen production.
It seeps deep into your skin for new blood vessels helping in the reduction of dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles and rough patches on the skin. It helps in the activation of the skin cells for boosting skin elasticity and strength for younger-looking skin.
2. Brighten complexion
Since it gains in skin cell breakdown, the use of retinol further helps in the rapid production of new skin cells. It helps in the development of the skin renewal process.
In simpler words, when there is the development of new skin cells you ought to acquire healthier, brighter and fresh-looking skin. It fades away hyperpigmentation and dark patches for even skin tone.
3. Repairing damaged skin
Infused with Vit A and skin-enhancing components, retinol boosts collagen synthesis. Repairing skin cells helps in boosting moisture retention capacity, replenishes damaged skin and improves skin health properly.
4. Prevent Acne
Acting as a great exfoliating agent, retinol helps in unclogging pores and removing dead skin cells.
When you are using the product daily, you are preventing the growth of oxidative stress. It helps in the prevention of acne.
5. Curing Psoriasis
It is more like an autoimmune skin condition leading to thick scaly plaques on the upper layer of the skin. Retinol is a safe ingredient that helps in curing the symptoms of psoriasis.
Being a topical treatment, retinol controls the hyperproduction of skin cells that lead to the shedding of dead dry skin. It helps in reducing flaking and dryness resulting in better and healthy skin.
Retinol side effects
Retinol is mainly a topical treatment that helps in curing your skin effects. But some people are even subjected to side effects which are just temporary. This includes –
- Dryness
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Itchiness
Make sure that you are not using stronger retinoids. The side effects then fade away in a few days or a week. If you are not seeing any improvement, then you should not use the product. You can consult your dermatologist for the same. If you are using the retinol product, make sure you are using at least SPF 30 sunscreen every day.
Conclusion
Retinol is a blessing in disguise for your skin’s health. In the world of retinoids, it is the cherry on top of the cake. Reviewing the results is time-consuming but it is worth the wait. If you are seeing some symptoms of side effects, stop the use of the product immediately. We would ask you to consult your health expert on the same or make some shifts in your skincare routine.
FAQs –
Can retinol stain the skin?
If you are using a product with strong retinol content in it, you may stain your skin. It might lead to redness and inflammation. People with darker skin tones may see the effects of hyperpigmentation if they are using that concentration on the skin.
Is retinol good for the skin every day?
Yes, it indeed is good for most people. Only if you are not allergic or affected by it, you can use it in your everyday regime. But in case, the product does not go down well with you, you should not use it or wait until your skin is used to it.
What are the negative effects of retinol?
Some of the negative effects of using retinol could lead to higher skin sensitivity under the sun, burning, irritation, itchiness, redness, skin flaking and even dry skin.
Who should not use retinol?
If you are the one who tends to spend more time under direct sunlight, you should not use retinol. Make sure that you are using a thick layer of sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
How often should you use retinol?
Rather than using retinol every day, you should start using it every alternate day. Make sure that you are using one product at a time. If you have sensitive skin, avoid using it too much. Wait for at least 30 min after cleansing your skin to use the product on your skin.
Do dermatologists recommend retinol?
Yes, they do provide by the skin type that you have. If you are highly sensitive, you should avoid using it. You should wait at least some time to review the results.
How long does it take for the skin to adjust to retinol?
It may take up to several weeks to see the skin getting better. It might not look great in the first place, but you need to give it the right time to see the changes.
How long does retinol stay active on the skin?
Retinol can stay active for up to 6 months on your skin provided that your skin gets used to the usage. It absorbs into your skin within 10-20 mins. But the results do take time.
How long does it take to see results from retinol?
It might take up to several weeks to see the results. The skin could look uneven before it leads to good and healthy skin. So, patience is the key.
