Can Retinol Be Used For All Skin Types
Retinol is not necessarily for everybody. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, start using it in your early 20s. Use a prescription-strength product upon a doctor’s recommendation in your teen years to combat the acne. Typically, we always say that anybody over the age of 25 should have retinol in their skincare routine to keep the skin healthy and delay the signs of ageing. Start using it two to three times a week until your skin gets used to it and does not cause itching or irritation. After this, it can be introduced daily as well. One word of caution is you must always use sunscreen in the daytime and add a moisturiser at night. Additionally, people with sensitive, photosensitive, rosacea-prone or extremely dehydrated skin should avoid using retinol in their skin care unless it is prescribed by a doctor.
How To Apply Retinol Cream
Graf says that when youre brand-new to retinol, youll need to start slow, using it once or twice a week MAX. Let your skin get used to it. If at any time it starts to feel dry or stinging, stop, she says.
Loucas adds that you can increase the frequency of use once your skin has gotten used to the product.
Retinoids are much more likely to cause compared to retinols, he says.
So, if you get prescription strength, you can expect your skin to take a little longer to get used to its new, intense topical friend.
Fact #: Retinol Slows Down Your Body’s Aging Process
“Up until your early 30s, your cells turn over every 28 days, creating a fresh layer of untouched, pristine skin, says dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor at Yale University. But after you hit your mid-30s, your cell regeneration slows down, turning over every 50, 60, or 70 days. And that slower cell regeneration is what causes your face to look dry, dull, and wrinkled. So, you know, the very picture of aging.
Retinol, however, sinks into your skin and speeds up cell turnover, causing your body to churn out fresher, smoother skin again, says Dr. Gohara. It essentially tricks your body into thinking its younger than it is, effectively creating a real-life Benjamin Button scenario. Granted, you wont see results overnightitll take at least three months of consistent nightly use to notice some reduction in fine lines, dark spots, and acne.
Our recommendation: L’Oreal Pariss Revitalift Night Serum with Pure Retinol, which contains pure retinol to help visibly reduce lines and wrinkles . It acts fastan independent clinical study actually showed that the serum improved testers wrinkles and skin texture in as little as 12 weeks. It also contains moisture-retaining ingredients to help prevent redness and irritation.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Bad Back Acne
Who Can Use Retinol
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t use retinoids like retinol. If you have any of the following, continue with caution:
- Sensitive skin or dry skin
- rosacea
- eczema
- acne scars
If any of these apply to you, you should see a dermatologist or healthcare expert before using retinol. Of course, seeing a doctor before using any new skincare product is always a good idea.
First Things First: What Is Retinol
Retinoids and retinol are chemicals that are derived from Vitamin A- both are available over-the-counter,Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist practicing at NYCs Schweiger Dermatology Group, told the New York Post. Theyre beneficial because they encourage the skin cells to make collagen, which makes skin appear more youthful, and can stimulate the surface cells to slough off, making skin smoother.
Additionally, Dr. Katz notes retinol can help treat acne. As mentioned, the more conversion steps needed to convert retinoids to retinoic acid, the less potent the retinol will be, so a prescribed formula is more powerful, he said.
Recommended Reading: What Causes Acne On Your Chin
Retinol And Acne: The Basics
-
Retinol, or vitamin A1, is a popular ingredient in skin care products thats used to treat acne and reduce the effects of aging on your skin. It belongs to a class of medications called retinoids.
-
Most scientific research into retinol and acne looks into its effects when used with other ingredients. This makes it difficult to accurately assess retinols true effectiveness as an acne treatment.
-
On the other hand, numerous studies have found that retinol can help to treat wrinkles and other signs of skin aging.
-
While retinol may be effective for mild acne, stronger retinoids are available that might be better choices if you have moderate or severe acne. These include topical tretinoin and the oral medication isotretinoin.
-
Our Prescription Acne Cream contains tretinoin, a more powerful topical retinoid thats ideal for treating mild, moderate or severe acne.
Fact #: Retinoids Dont Just Help With Wrinkles
Sure, retinoids are the gold standard in wrinkle-preventing and line-smoothing treatments, but theyre also excellent at turning your face into a bright little marble. Because retinoids stimulate cell turnover, which increases collagen and elastin production, theyll also help plump up your skin, clear and shrink pores, and fade dark spots and redness, says Dr. Ebede. MVP of skincare, am I right?
And were not just talking a little bit of improvement, either. Because retinoids work on a cellular level, not just a topical level like most skincare products do, theyre able to deeply resurface your skin, which can completely transform your complexion over time. I mean, just look at this Retin-Ausing grandma who went viral for looking so young, or this acne-prone woman who broke the internet after completely clearing her breakouts with retinol. Retinoids really are the key to perfect-looking skin.
Are you now effectively pumped and ready to use a retinoid? Are you about to make a dermatologists appointment or run to the skincare aisle of the drugstore? Has your mind been blown? Im choosing to believe that your answers this time are one big YUP.
Recommended Reading: How To Combat Hormonal Acne
How To Use Retinol To Treat Acne
But the real question when it comes to using retinol for acne is how to use it. Since retinol has the tendency to irritate your skin, it is really important to stick to the correct dosage to get the desired results. You may notice a little redness and irritation at the beginning, but if you follow the steps mentioned below, it will settle down in no time.
Apply Your Acne Medications:
After your toner has dried, apply the acne treatment creams as directed.
Allow the medication to fully absorb before applying a moisturizer, whether youre using prescription or OTC gels or lotions.
Is there someone you can consult with about choosing the best acne medication? Give your dermatologist or doctor a call and get some assistance.
You May Like: What To Do For Body Acne
How Does Retinol Work And Why
One of retinols superpowers is the ingredients ability to speed up cell turnover, which keeps sluggish skin cells from becoming trapped in pores , leading to brighter, fresher skin. Retinols anti-aging benefits are due to repair of cellular damage and normalization of the cells in the top layer of the skin, Dr. Samolitis says. When cells are turning over at a healthy rate, skin appears smooth and glowing instead of rough and dull.
Using Retinoids For Acne Marks
Finding products that get rid of acne once and for all can be frustrating but with time and dedication, you can find theperfect routine for you. Adding a product that contains retinol to your current skincare routine can help with stubborn acneand post-acne marks. But before you jump in, make sure you understand what happens when you introduce retinol into your routine.
Retinol stimulates cellular turnover at the surface skin cell level. This promotes the natural exfoliation process and releasespore-clogging dead skin cells, which help erase the look of acne marks. By combining retinol with alpha-hydroxy acids ,you may reduce outbreaks and combat oily skin. To reduce potential irritation, try using retinol and AHAs on alternatingdays or use AHAs in the morning and retinol at night.
Also Check: What Treatment Is Best For Cystic Acne
The Different Retinoids Explained:
Retinoic acid :
Retinoic acid is the active ingredient in all retinoids and was the first topical retinoid used. Because it has been around for a long time, it has a record of proven efficacy. Although effective, retinoic acid also has some clear disadvantages. It can irritate the skin, increase skin sensitivity to the sun, and require a medical office visit with a sometimes costly prescription. Most retinoic acid creams have also been on the market for years and contain ingredients that are not considered “clean” by today’s beauty standards.
Retinol
Retinol is the best vitamin A compound found in OTC skincare products. As retinol meets the skin, it’s converted into retinoic acid. So, it’s just as effective as retinoic acid at the right concentration but causes less irritation and doesn’t require a prescription. Retinol is about ten times weaker than retinoic acid . Thus, 0.5% retinol is similar in efficacy to 0.05% retinoic acid.
Retinyl palmitate
Retinyl palmitate is also a Vitamin A compound that transforms into retinoic acid once applied to the skin. It’s less effective than pure retinol, but it’s also less expensive and has better stability in cosmetics products.
How Retinoids Help Treat Acne
First, lets clear up some buzzwords. The term retinoid comprises the entire family of Vitamin A derived compounds. This includes both over-the-counter and prescription strength products that contain retinol, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, and its synthetic derivatives. All of these essentially tell your skin to function better.
Retinol is naturally occurring Vitamin A, and is typically found in milder, over-the-counter products, explains Dr. Garshick. To really work its magic, your skin cells must convert retinol into retinoic acid in order to produce its effects. This is why it takes a bit longer to see results than a prescription product . But while retinol is more gradual, it is less irritating than its synthetic counterparts, such as tretinoin.
All forms can give your skin a boost, but retinoids are considered the gold-standard when it comes to acne, since they act faster. Their greatest benefit: effectively sloughing off dead skin cells.
This prevents pores from getting clogged, which is often a key factor in the development of acne breakouts, says Dr. Garshick. They also help , act on inflammation , smooth acne scarring, and lighten the red marks left behind post-pimple.
But like many topical medications, the power of your retinoid can be boosted with a little bit of help. Research shows that these products are most effective in treating acne when combined with an antibacterial medication, like benzoyl peroxide .
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Back Acne Scars
How To Incorporate Retinol For Acne Into Your Skin Care Routine
If youre ready to start incorporating retinol for acne into your pre-existing skin care routine, there is a way to do that safely and effectively. Its also important to make sure that none of the ingredients in your skin care routine work against each other. Our Night Watch gentle retinol drops is a great retinol skin care product to start with.
Formulated with 0.2% pure retinol, along with other complementary ingredients like vitamin C and bisabolol, Night Watch helps to refine the skins surface without causing as much irritation as a lot of other similar ingredients. It can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as pore size. Night Watch can also help to boost collagen production and balance the amount of oil production from the face.
In terms of when in your skin care routine you should apply Night Watch, or any other retinol-based serum, there is a right order. Serums should always be applied after your skin has been thoroughly cleaned and dried.
If you use a toner, youll also want to do that before your serum, too.
However, toners can often include ingredients that may work against or neutralize the impact of retinol, so make sure that you check before combining them.
When you first start using retinol, make sure that you dont use it too frequently in the beginning. Even if you dont have naturally sensitive skin, due to the way that it can get deep into the skin, it can still cause some irritation when you first start.
Whats The Difference Between Retinoid And Retinol
Loucas says retinols are a subtype of retinoids.
The main difference between retinoids and retinols is strength, he says. Retinols contain lower strengths of retinoic acid, the active byproduct of all retinoids. Retinoic acid is the active ingredient that exerts positive effects on the skin.
Heres a simple way to think about the difference, according to Loucas: The fewer steps it takes for the product to break down into retinoic acid, the stronger the product is.
The important catch that Loucas points out is: Stronger is not always better.
I often have people slowly work up from retinols to retinoids, he says. If they are unable to tolerate the stronger retinoids, I would suggest staying with retinols. Its more about consistency than it is about strength.
Also Check: Do Birth Control Pills Help With Acne
Is Retinol Good For Clearing Acne Scars
Yes, it is.Using retinol on your acne scars is a good way to clear out acne from your skin. Retinol will help to smooth out your skin to reduce the appearance of the scar.
When you use your retinol product diligently on your face, it will help to even out your skin texture. It accelerates the rate of epidermal turnover to keep your skin smooth and healthy.
What Are The Side Effects Of Retinol
Though flaking is never pleasant, its important to remember that a little bit is completely normal when you begin using a product as strong as retinol. Your skin needs to adjust to retinol, Miller notes. In the beginning, some may experience drying, flaking, and maybe some redness. This is temporary, but like previously stated, always start slow in the beginning.
Also Check: Does The Birth Control Implant Help With Acne
How Should I Use Them
Its important to talk to your doctor before starting any new treatment. But if your doctor has prescribed Retin-A or recommended that you use a cream with retinol in it, follow these 5 tips to get the most out of your treatment:
-
Apply retinol or Retin-A once daily in the evening after taking a shower. You should also apply a moisturizer afterwards to help keep the medication from drying out your skin.
-
Make sure the moisturizer is labeled non-comedogenic, which means it doesnt clog your pores. Otherwise, it may cause more acne.
-
Apply only a pea-sized amount to your entire face. Applying too much can cause more skin dryness and wont make it work faster.
-
Avoid getting the medication in your eyes, though its OK to apply it to the skin around your eyes.
-
Do not apply Retin-A at the same time as benzoyl peroxide . Benzoyl peroxide may keep Retin-A from working properly.
Using Retinol For Acne Isnt New But There Are Still A Lot Of People Who Arent Aware Of How Well It Can Work
Retinol, on its own, is an incredibly powerful skin care ingredient. So much so, that it often gets misused by people who arent quite sure how it works and what to use it for.
To help clarify, we gathered together the advice of various skin experts and combined it all in a single place.
Heres what we found and how you can take this advice and turn it into something that can reveal your best, most beautiful skin yet. Trust us, its what we do here at Skin Pharm.
Read Also: How To Lighten Acne Scars On Face
Skin Care Routine For Acne: A Quick Guide
If you are among the 40 million Americans who suffer from acne, then you know all too well the importance of a good skin care routine. Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution for acne, following a few simple steps can help to keep your skin clear and healthy. In this quick guide, well outline some of the best practices for cleansing and treating acne-prone skin. So, whether you are just starting out on your skin care journey or looking to tweak your current routine, read on for some tips that will help you get started!
How To Use Retinol For Acne According To Experts
Acne is a universal struggle that we are all too familiar withwhether its the flareups that made your teenage self dread stepping out of your room, or the sudden breakouts that followed you into adulthood. Granted, there are plenty of spot treatments that help restore your clear skin. But theres one ingredient that takes blemish-busting more seriously. Particularly, when youre dealing with stubborn inflammation and breakouts that havent eased up for years. Were talking about retinol.
Recommended Reading: Which Cleanser Is Best For Acne
Can You Use Retinol On Acne Scars
You can apply retinol on your acne scars to reduce the appearance of acne the same way you use retinol to treat acne. Acne scars usually develop as a result of acne. When you sort out the acne breakout in your skin, acne bumps may appear as scars on your skin.
Retinol is a skincare ingredient that helps to smooth scars by evening out your skin texture. It helps the resurfacing skin texture, while also brightening the skin.
Amazon Beach Essentials Thatll Arrive Before Memorial Day Weekend
If youre keen on skincare, youve certainly heard of retinol before. Its a key ingredient in many eye creams and night creams and is considered the gold standard of modern dermatology.
However, some people are skeptical to use prescribed retinol treatments for helping to treat acne or making the skin look more youthful . Luckily, many dermatologist-recommended formulas that are OTC and at-the-ready for you to shop online.
OTC retinol goes through more conversion steps to provide benefits of retinoic acid, which makes them less potent than prescription retinoids,Bruce Katz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with more than 30 years of experience, told The Post. The benefit of this is that OTC retinol is easier to adapt to than a prescription.
However, be sure to speak to your dermatologist to see if using a prescribed retinol serum is right for you.
To transition you into retinol use, our three dermatologist experts answered common FAQs about retinol below, along with sharing the 20 best retinol creams and serums they recommend.
Also Check: How To Prevent Acne On Cheeks
