Retinol for Skin – Benefits and Side effects | How to Use Retinol for sensitive skin

Swarnima

3 years ago

Now that everyone is gradually hopping on the skincare trend, we are sure you must have heard about retinol and if you haven’t….where have you been. Its 2023 and retinol is one of the most trending ingredients in the skincare industry.

Allow us to enlighten you regarding this miracle product. It is anti-acne, anti-pigmentation, evens out tone, and anti-aging too.

But how to use it, how much to use, and when to start using are very important queries as it is a very potent ingredient as can easily lead to side effects. All of these questions we will answer for you in our article…so please keep reading.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A. Yes, a nutrient that is necessary for eyesight as well as the maintenance of skin to make it healthy. Retinol is something that is added to creams to boost the amount of collagen made in your body as well as plump out the skin, cutting down fine lines and wrinkles. Many anti-aging creams or lotions contain this magical ingredient in lower concentrations (starting from .01%). It is helpful in many cases like it reduces mottled patches, and improving skin tone, pigmentation, skin texture, etc. Besides being very useful for the skin, the first usage of retinol can also make your skin dry and flaky.

Retinol is used for anti-aging, anti-breakout, and exfoliating. As we mentioned above, some people try to keep themselves away from retinol because of fear having results in more dryness, redness, or flaking. These results are somehow true for some conditions but not always. Very few starting weeks of using retinol can show these results but after some time the skin manages itself with retinol.

Women up to 50% of them use products that can help them to tackle the problem of having fine lines or wrinkles. Retinol is a proven product for these problems. It works as exfoliating, fighting free radicals, and aiding in the production of collagen by altering the behavior of aged cells. Multi-tasking Retinol is also known as a synthetic derivative of vitamin A which belongs to a group of fat-soluble vitamins. Experts advise not to use Retinol during day time because Retinol breaks down in sunlight which makes the use it less beneficial and may also make your skin more sensitive. If somehow, you are going out with it then don’t forget to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen. There is some retinol that is photostable, which means that it would not break down in the sunlight.

At which age and when one should start using Retinol?

Generally, anyone can use it after 20 or 20+. But most people start when they become 40 because at in early age, we don’t have to struggle with aging effects. As age passes year by year our skin gets damaged due to pollution, sun effects, and because of the effects of age too. These all cause to weaken the foundation of the skin. Sometimes retinol also dries out your skin. In case you come to face any problem then we recommend you, if it is possible, you should make a visit to your dermatologist and consult about your skin.

How to start using Retinol for best results?

How can you add retinol to your daily beauty regime? Expert recommends starting with a low percentage of retinol. The lower concentration retinol products are extremely beneficial for the eye area because the area around the eyes seems to be more thin and delicate than the other area of the face. You can easily find retinol in anti-aging serums and creams. Don’t choose creams or serums having a high percentage of retinol without a doctor’s prescription. Here, we are mentioning, how to apply retinol:-

Wash your face with any daily face wash then apply any eye creams so that they can protect the area around your eyes.
Now, wait for your skin to dry. Don’t try to skip this step because your skin would be able to absorb retinol more deeply which may cause more irritation.
Then, take a pea- size amount of retinol and start applying it from your chin, apply gently with your fingertips in upward and outward directions.
Now after finishing the above, all steps apply moisturizer. Don’t forget to apply broad spectrum (SPF 30-50) sunscreen in the morning before going out.

Which products can be used with Retinol?

However, some people also use other products with retinol. A study in 2015 says that retinoids and alpha hydroxyl acids produce a synergistic effect when they are used together. Whereas, if you have sensitive skin then it may be not a good choice for you because of ingredients like Vitamin-C, Alpha, or beta hydroxyl acid. Moisturizer can be the best ingredient if you want to use it with retinol. You can apply it by mixing both retinol as well as moisturizer together. Dermatologists usually suggest applying retinol at night, so can also keep using your vitamin C during the day.

What to do when the skin reacts with retinol?

Your skin may expect to have redness, it may become dry also and you start to see flakiness or stinging of the skin. But there is nothing to worry about. These things can happen in the very first week of using retinol because the skin will take some time to adjust to it. But if somehow, you will still face some problems then please do a visit to the dermatologist.

Not everything suits everyone, so before using any product, you should aware of its benefits as well as side effects.

Benefits of Retinol

Retinols are a gentle version of retinoids and you also don’t need any kind of prescription to use them, while some retinoids need prescriptions. When Retinol is applied on the top layer of the skin, it goes down and enzymes of the skin convert Retinol into Retinoic acid. You can also apply Retinoic acid directly on the skin but according to experts, it may be harsher than Retinol. There are few main benefits of retinol are given below:-

Retinol not only prevents new fine lines and wrinkles but also cures your existing fine lines and wrinkles.
Controls oil on your skin and also prevents acne and pimple breakouts.
Retinol helps the skin to make it more bright and smoothen because of its exfoliating effect.
It helps the skin to dim or fade the spots over it of any kind.
Retinol thickens the skin and increases cell turnover and collagen production for thicker, more youthful skin.

According to Dermatologists, One should use retinol for 3 months and then stop using it for the next 3 months, because research says that cell turnover is no longer increased after 3 months of retinol use.

Retinol’s Side effects

Although it has many benefits yet there are some negative points that are necessary to be known. Here are some important side effects-

Besides of being a powerful cosmetic product, it can cause redness, dryness, or flakiness during initial usage.
The often use of Retinol can cause the skin to redden or peel off. You should notice how much time you have to apply it again. According to Dermatologists, you should not use it often at the start. You can go with applying it one or two times a week. How do you have to increase its use? It gradually depends on the skin. Be slow at the start and monitor how your skin is reacting.
You are bound to use sunscreen while applying retinol during the day otherwise it may make the skin more sensitive.
Don’t overuse retinol. It is useful for several factors for the skin but still, many dermatologists don’t allow overuse of it. Overusing retinol can also cause flakiness, redness or even burning.

Sometimes things become complicated because of having sensitive skin. When you have sensitive skin, you try to stay away from many cosmetics. Dermatologists don’t recommend anyone use retinol if people have eczema or rosacea or extremely sensitive skin. Retinol is the best choice for peoples having oilier skin or someone who has already used retinol but don’t have any irritations for them prescription retinoids such as Retin-A would be better. But Retinol can be used in case of sensitive skin too if apply it with the right strategy.

\According to dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, You should apply moisturizer first on sensitive skin to let it act as a buffer. Then apply your retinol on top of it. However, Retinols are easily available in local markets but you don’t find retinol for sensitive skin easily, so we are suggesting you some names here. WOW skin science Retinol face cream, Himalayan Organics Retinol Serum for face, Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum, Skin Ceuticals Retinol 0.3, Avene Retrinal 0.05 Cream are some recommended retinol for sensitive skin. You can easily get them on some online platforms.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not retinol. Why should not they use it? Because it may cross the placental barrier and potentially lead to birth defects.

FAQs

1. What is retinol and what are its benefits for the skin?

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and is a powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce the effects of aging, improve skin tone and texture, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It is also known to unclog pores, reduce acne, and reduce the risk of skin cancer.

2. Are there any risks associated with using retinol on the skin?

Yes, there are some potential risks associated with the use of retinol on the skin. It can cause skin irritation, dryness, and redness. It can also make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so it is important to use sunscreen when using retinol.

3. Is retinol suitable for sensitive skin?

Yes, retinol can be used on sensitive skin, but it is important to start slowly and use a gentle product. If your skin becomes too irritated, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist.

4. How often should I use retinol on my skin?

Most experts recommend using retinol on the skin 2-3 times per week, depending on its strength. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and not exceed the recommended frequency.

5. At what age should I start using retinol?

The age at which you start using retinol depends on your skin type and concerns. Retinol can be used as early as your twenties, but it is also beneficial to mature skin.

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(Reviewed by Dr. Samiksha Rane)

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