Skin care techniques have been around for centuries. From Sandalwood and turmeric paste in India, to honey and olive oil in Ancient Greece – a youthful, radiant appearance has always been the goal for many.
As times have changed, more and more remedies have sprung onto the market. It can be difficult to know which ones actually work.. so we have decide to share our top 3 skin care products to make things a little easier!
Our first skincare gem is Retinol.
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a vitamin belonging to the Vitamin A family (also known as Retinoids). It was discovered in 1909, and is found in foods such as fish, meat and dairy products.
The Retinoid Family
Before we go further, I’ll explain a little about Retinol and it’s siblings. The main difference between each component is the concentration, some are weaker, some stronger.
The strongest of them is Retinoic Acid (also known as Tretinoin) which is often used to treat acne and prevent ageing. We naturally have Retinoic Acid in our skin, therefore, it doesn’t need to convert when applied. Other types of Retinoids include:
- Retinaldehyde – this is the closes to Retoinic Acid, however it can be less irritating for the skin so is often recommended
- and Retinyl Palmitate – The weakest retinoid, is suitable for most skin types and can be used even on sensitive skin.
Picking the best form of Retinol
Retinol comes in all different substances like serums, creams and gels. Tretinoin/Retoinic Acid is the most common to be used in skincare. However, the best one for you can really depend on your actual skin time plus what problem you’re hoping to tackle.
There are 3 things (that I have previously mentioned) to consider before using Retinol:
- The concentration/percentage of retinol in the product
- The form of the product
- The way you use it, also check if the product has a buffer time.
Once you’ve managed to find the right fit for you, the results will be wonderful.
Retinol’s Uses and Benefits
There are many pro’s to using Retinol (retinoid products). They are actually proven to visibly reduce the appearance of ageing in a number of ways. Not only do they hinder collagen breakdown but Retinoids can stimulate new collagen and elastin production by increasing cell turnover. They help to plump and thicken the dermis layer of skin: preventing wrinkles from forming.
In addition, Retinoids can improve uneven skin tone, pigmentation and skin texture. Due to their exfoliating properties, they can even aids with issues such as
- Black heads
- Acne and Acne Scarring
- Rough patches on the skin
- and Cystic Acne!
Side Effects
Please note, even though Retinol can work wonders for many, it may not be the best option for everyone. If you have a condition such as Eczema; Psoriasis; Rosecea or extremely sensitive skin, we would say to avoid using Retinol. Reason being, Retinoids can potentially cause dryness, sensitivity and inflammation which wouldn’t do any good for delicate skin. You need to build up a tolerance to Retinol, so if you decide to give it a go – use it every 2/3 days, then make your decision based of your skins reaction.
To avoid any unwanted irritation, we suggest applying Retinol at least 30 minutes after washing your face, so your face can resume its normal pH balance of 5.5.
Our main advice if you’re unsure is to follow the 3 steps; trial and error will reveal the right Retinoid for you!
We definitely recommend adding Retinol to your skincare routine; it helps tackle a number of imperfections and can be incorporated into your existing regime. Retinol works well paired with Vitamin C and/or Hyaluronic Acid products.
In fact, Vitamin C is our next skincare gems, so keep an eye out for that blog!
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