HOW TO ADD RETINOL TO SKINCARE ROUTINE

You might have heard about the skin benefits of retinol, but you might not be aware of how much important it is for your skin. Retinol is the buzziest and most powerful ingredient of any skincare product. Dermatologists and skin experts highly recommend the use of retinol in the beauty products that you are using for your skin. This powerful, hero ingredient, also known as Vitamin A is derived from retinoids. Retinoids stimulate collagen production and boost skin turnover. Retinol also helps in preventing discoloration and pigmentation of the skin.

What exactly is retinol?

As already discussed, retinol is a Vitamin A derivative, that belongs to the class of compounds, known as retinoids. It is the most powerful ingredient in any beauty or skin-related product.

This ingredient works magically on your skin and helps reduce wrinkles, prevents aging, erases blemishes, and is good for acne-prone skin. This vitamin A-derived ingredient improves tone and texture, depigmentation, fine lines, and dryness from the skin giving your skin a natural glow and flawless, young and fresh, wrinkle-free look.

Why it should be in your skincare routine?

Retinol works wonderfully on your skin. This magic ingredient has a lot of benefits and thus it should be an integral part of your skincare routine. Here we go:

•        Prevents wrinkles
•        Smooths out fine lines
•        Smooths wrinkles
•        Exfoliates dull skin
•        Makes skin brighter 
•        Gives natural glow
•        Prevents oily skin
•        Reduces breakouts
•        Fades dark age spots
•        Fades sun spots
•        Prevents hyperpigmentation
•        Brightens dull complexion
•        Clogs large pores
•        Common skincare issues
•        Prevents acne
•        Prevents dullness

 HOW TO APPLY RETINOL: AN ULTIMATE GUIDE

If you are thinking about using retinol on your skin but are worried about the after-effects, then stop worrying. Retinol will not cause any harm to your skin if used carefully and in a limited amount.

Before you start to use any new product, it is advised to consult a dermatologist so that it may not harm your skin. It is best to use retinol in your skincare after a dermatologist’s suggestion.

Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to use retinol on your skin:

START GRADUALLY

As already discussed, apply retinol gently and in a smaller concentration. DO NOT apply a handful of retinol directly to your skin. Any ingredient or product is harmful to your skin if used in a large concentration, instead, apply it gradually. Don’t hustle or hurry for that extra clear and radiant and wrinkle-free skin. 

At first apply a little, only a pea-sized amount of retinol on your face, and check if your skin is getting irritated by using it. You may experience redness or a little dryness for like 2 to 3 weeks but as time passes by, your skin starts adjusting itself to the product. Now that your skin gets adjusted, then the redness and dryness of your face are no longer there. In that case, you can increase the concentration of retinol. When your skin becomes habitual to using retinol, then it will be all right to use retinol in higher concentrations. 

INITIALLY USE IT TWICE A WEEK

Excess in everything is bad. Too much use of any product can damage your skin be it retinol, panthenol, or some other ingredient. It is always recommended to use a little amount every 2 to 3 days a week.

When you have started using retinol, you may experience redness or dryness on your face. As soon as you don’t get irritation or redness, you can increase your weekly usage from 3 to 4 days.

DON’T USE TOO MUCH

Too much retinol does not cause any benefit to your skin. Most dermatologists suggest you use a lower concentration usually of 0.25 to 0.3% of the ingredient or the product to check out how it goes with your skin.  

FIRST APPLY MOISTURIZER: DERMATOLOGICALLY RECOMMENDED

Mix retinol with your face moisturizer, then apply it to your skin. Retinol might be a little irritating or damaging for people, who have sensitive skin. Mixing moisturizer with retinol makes it gentle.

 So, for people who have sensitive skin, it is advised to use a moisturizer first, and then apply retinol or you can also go with mixing retinol with a moisturizer and then applying it onto your skin. Applying moisturizer first makes a barrier on your skin and in this way, retinol becomes gentle on your face and does not cause any damage. When your skin gets comfortable with using retinol directly, you no longer need to mix it up with moisturizers or any other products.

WAIT AND WATCH

There is no such beauty product that can give overnight results. Great things in your life take time and so are these beauty product ingredients. Give your skin some time. Retinol is not an overnight solution for your skin concerns. It may take almost 12 weeks for any major changes to look visible on your skin. 12 weeks is the time that it usually takes for visible changes to appear on your skin when you are consistently using a beauty product.

Don’t give up if you don’t see visible results in 2-3 weeks. Improvements in skin changes may take about 2 to 3 months. Give your skin some time and then see the magic.

BEST TIME TO USE RETINOL SERUM

How often you should apply it?

Apply retinol necessarily at night. Retinol may cause sun sensitivity therefore it should not be used during the daytime. It is generally advised to use retinol at night. It is very sensitive to light, and so is kept in dark packaging so that light does not pass through it.

Sunlight may inactivate the effects of retinol, so if you want to repair your skin, you should use it at night.

Apply Retinol for Best Results

For best results, apply retinol

• Every other night
• use it sparingly
• don’t apply in higher concentrations
• wear sunscreen daily
• don’t apply in the morning
• apply moisturizer prior to retinol

When to Add Retinol

Incorporate retinol in your daily skincare regimen but also make sure to not disturb your normal cleansing or skincare routine. Add retinol to your skincare routine in such a way that it makes your skin look fresh and smooth. Here is where you should add retinol to your skincare:

Step 1: Cleanse your face

Step 2: Use Toner

Step 3: Apply Moisturizer

Step 4: Apply a pea-sized amount of Retinol

Step 5: Finally finish with Face Oil

PROS AND CONS

Retinol has many benefits for the skin but it also has some disadvantages.

Fortunately, these side effects or disadvantages don’t last long and these disappear after some time when your skin starts adjusting itself to the chemical effect of retinol.

SIDE EFFECTS

As discussed above, there might be some sort of skin irritation caused by using retinol but as stated these side effects start disappearing after some time, and what is left behind is smooth, glowing, and wrinkle-free youthful skin.

Common side effects include

• Burning sensation
• Redness
• Dryness
• Peeling-off skin
• Increased skin sensitivity

CONCLUSION

Retinol is one of the most powerful ingredients of beauty products and it must be part of your skincare routine. It enhances your beauty and makes your skin look younger and naturally glowing. So, if you are looking for something that helps you remove the common signs of aging, then retinol is the best choice for you.

Never apply retinol in the morning, it should only be applied at night.

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that you people have asked about the usage of retinol. We have tried our best to give you the most satisfactory answer to these.