Are you struggling to find skincare products that work for your skin? Well, maybe we can help! Because we pay attention to the tiny (molecular) details, such as active skincare ingredients that are clinically proven to work. Retinol is backed by decades of data and is known to treat a multitude of skin concerns from aging to acne. Let’s break down the stats and facts of this skincare superstar.
What is retinol?
Firstly, retinol is a type of retinoid. Think of retinoids as a complex family of skincare ingredients derived from vitamin A. Retinol, along with some of its skin enhancing ‘cousins’ likeretinoid esters, retinyl palmitate, and retinyl acetate can be found in over-the-counter products like serums and creams.
The other group of retinoids are prescription strength. You’ll need to go through your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist to get your hands on these. They go by the brand names Retin-A, Tretinoin, or Accutane and are highly effective in treating different forms of acne and acne scars.
How does retinol work?
Ok, stay with us here, it’s going to get a little nerdy, because it’s impossible to explain exactly how retinol works without getting slightly scientific! Ready? The active component in all retinoids (including retinol) is retinoic acid. When applied to the skin, retinol absorbs into the deeper layers (think cellular level) of your skin where it is converted into retinoic acid.
This is where the magic happens, folks! Studies show that retinoic acid speeds up cell turnover on the surface of the skin and boosts collagen production.
How can it help my skin concerns?
Oily and acne prone skin
Retinol serums increases the skin’s natural exfoliation process which helps to reduce acne breakouts by keeping your pores clog-free and clear! Prolonged use of retinol can also help to decrease inflammation and prevent the formation of acne scars.
CeraVe
CeraVe Retinol Serum with Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin 30ml
£23.49
Premature aging
If visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines are your skincare bugbear, don’t worry, we have retinol products to help you too. Of course, aging is a natural process that you shouldn’t worry about! However, premature aging is a very common skin condition that can be improved, reduced, and even reversed through regular use of retinol.
Does retinol have side effects?
When you first start using retinoids, your skin may go through a process called ‘retinization’ — redness, flakiness, dry patches, and irritation. However, our tip to help minimise these common side effects of retinol is to start low and slow! Apply every third night and work your way up to every other night to see how your skin reacts. After 2-3 weeks you can apply every night. This should help to prevent the dreaded ‘retinization’ process.
If you experience intense irritation, redness and burning these are not normal side effects of retinol. This either means you’ve gone too fast and too high… or your skin is unfortunately too sensitive and is reacting to the active ingredient in retinol, retinoic acid. If the latter applies to you, don’t worry! We have something special just for you at the end of this article.
Results
Don’t expect overnight results. The kind of results you get from retinol don’t happen immediately – it can take several weeks or months!
Expert tip
Retinol can make your skin super sensitive. Therefore, retinol skincare products are best used in your evening routine. And you should be diligent about applying sunscreen. We know a lot of you love our popular exfoliating products, but you must be careful when combining active ingredients – especially exfoliating acids – while using retinol.
Our retinol product recommendations
We have lots of retinol products to choose from in-store and online. Are you ready to step up your skincare routine?
Olay
DNROlay Retinol24 Night Face Cream Without Fragrance 50ml
£37.99
L'Oreal Paris
LOréal Paris Revitalift Hydrating Night Cream 50ml
£14.99
Optimum
Optimum Retinol Serum Extra Strength 0.3% 30ML
£15.00
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Anti-wrinkle Anti-Ageing Serum With Retinol And Vitamin B3 Suitable For Sensitive Skin 30ml
£47.99
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream15ml
£0.10
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Retinol and sensitive skin
While we can all agree that retinol is an incredible ingredient, it’s also well-known to cause irritation for sensitive skin types. So, imagine our delight when we discoveredbakuchiol, the natural alternative to retinol that’s perfect for sensitive skin!
Home » What is Retinol?
What is Retinol?
Home » What is Retinol?
Are you struggling to find skincare products that work for your skin? Well, maybe we can help! Because we pay attention to the tiny (molecular) details, such as active skincare ingredients that are clinically proven to work. Retinol is backed by decades of data and is known to treat a multitude of skin concerns from aging to acne. Let’s break down the stats and facts of this skincare superstar.
What is retinol?
Firstly, retinol is a type of retinoid. Think of retinoids as a complex family of skincare ingredients derived from vitamin A. Retinol, along with some of its skin enhancing ‘cousins’ likeretinoid esters, retinyl palmitate, and retinyl acetate can be found in over-the-counter products like serums and creams.
The other group of retinoids are prescription strength. You’ll need to go through your doctor or a board-certified dermatologist to get your hands on these. They go by the brand names Retin-A, Tretinoin, or Accutane and are highly effective in treating different forms of acne and acne scars.
How does retinol work?
Ok, stay with us here, it’s going to get a little nerdy, because it’s impossible to explain exactly how retinol works without getting slightly scientific! Ready? The active component in all retinoids (including retinol) is retinoic acid. When applied to the skin, retinol absorbs into the deeper layers (think cellular level) of your skin where it is converted into retinoic acid.
This is where the magic happens, folks! Studies show that retinoic acid speeds up cell turnover on the surface of the skin and boosts collagen production.
How can it help my skin concerns?
Oily and acne prone skin
Retinol serums increases the skin’s natural exfoliation process which helps to reduce acne breakouts by keeping your pores clog-free and clear! Prolonged use of retinol can also help to decrease inflammation and prevent the formation of acne scars.
Premature aging
If visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines are your skincare bugbear, don’t worry, we have retinol products to help you too. Of course, aging is a natural process that you shouldn’t worry about! However, premature aging is a very common skin condition that can be improved, reduced, and even reversed through regular use of retinol.
Does retinol have side effects?
When you first start using retinoids, your skin may go through a process called ‘retinization’ — redness, flakiness, dry patches, and irritation. However, our tip to help minimise these common side effects of retinol is to start low and slow! Apply every third night and work your way up to every other night to see how your skin reacts. After 2-3 weeks you can apply every night. This should help to prevent the dreaded ‘retinization’ process.
If you experience intense irritation, redness and burning these are not normal side effects of retinol. This either means you’ve gone too fast and too high… or your skin is unfortunately too sensitive and is reacting to the active ingredient in retinol, retinoic acid. If the latter applies to you, don’t worry! We have something special just for you at the end of this article.
Results
Don’t expect overnight results. The kind of results you get from retinol don’t happen immediately – it can take several weeks or months!
Expert tip
Retinol can make your skin super sensitive. Therefore, retinol skincare products are best used in your evening routine. And you should be diligent about applying sunscreen. We know a lot of you love our popular exfoliating products, but you must be careful when combining active ingredients – especially exfoliating acids – while using retinol.
Our retinol product recommendations
We have lots of retinol products to choose from in-store and online. Are you ready to step up your skincare routine?
Retinol and sensitive skin
While we can all agree that retinol is an incredible ingredient, it’s also well-known to cause irritation for sensitive skin types. So, imagine our delight when we discovered bakuchiol, the natural alternative to retinol that’s perfect for sensitive skin!
Ready to add retinol to your routine?
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