Everything you Need to Know about Retinol and Retinoids!

Who doesn’t want clear skin?? There are tons and tons of various ingredients in the skincare products we use. I’m sure you would love to find that one product that can address all your skin concerns in one bottle. YUP, that’s right, ONE BOTTLE!!!! If I had to choose one type of product that treats many skin issues such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines/wrinkles, then it would have to be products that contain RETINOL.

Vitamin A or Retinol is an ingredient used in many skin care products

If I had to choose one type of product that treats many skin issues such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines/wrinkles, then it would have to be products that contain retinol. Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative used many skin care products as it supports the overall health of the skin.

Here are some common uses for retinol and retinoids:

Retinol is an ingredient used in many skin care products as it supports the overall health of the skin. According to Theskinspot.com, “Retinol may be just what you need. By unclogging pores, retinol clears skin and prevents further outbreaks from occurring.”

Retinol, retinoic acid, and Retin-A are all examples of retinoids, nonetheless, each of them contain different concentration levels of retinoic acid. Retinol is found in many over the counter products and is used to treat mild acne or to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in anti-aging creams.

Retin A is a retinoid used to help treat moderate to severe acne.

Retin A contains stronger contains stronger concentrations of retinoic acid than retinol. Therefore, the only way to access Retin-A is by a prescription order only from your physician or dermatologist.

Here are some skincare product recommendations that contain retinol:

Try Avene retrinal 0.1 intensive cream-This cream is formulated with retinaldehyde, one of the most potent derivatives of vitamin A (retinol). It’s ideal for these skin types: oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, normal skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, or acne-prone skin.

Glymed Plus Retinol Restart Rejuvenation Cream is made with 5% retinol in a serum to help minimize the appearance of fine lines, acne, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Ideal for all skin types, particularly those with aging or mature skin.

Try Image Skincare’s Ageless Overnight Retinol Masque at night 2-3 a week to help minimize the appearance of wrinkles and treat acne (use on opposite nights you use other acids such as salicylic acid/glycolic acid or don’t use at the same time you use benzoyl peroxide).

Skinmedica 0.5% Retinol Complex : This serum is gentle for first time retinol users. It helps to brighten skin as well as help minimize fine lines. It is safe for all skin types and is formulated with squalane.

Retinol Is an Important Ingredient in Skincare

If there’s one thing I want you to take from this article, it is the fact that Retinol can be an important ingredient in skincare. Beyond that, it’s helps treat dark marks and superficial acne scars, soften fine lines, smooth texture, and reverse sun damage. A word of caution: retinol-based products can make you more sensitive to the sun. So remember to cleanse and use SPF in the morning, and save your retinol for the night. Always apply sunscreen with SPF of 30+ and avoid exposure during peak hours.

Start at a low concentration when you first start retinol

Credit to curology.com for this tip. Are you experiencing side effects from using a retinoid? Curology.com (@Curology) states to ” Start low and go slow: apply once every other 2 days, at least, for the first couple of weeks, or until your skin adjusts.” Be sure to moisturize afterwards to help minimize skin irritation like dryness. Certain actives such as retinoids should only be used at night followed by sunscreen in the AM (Dermstore.com).

Prescription retinoids contain stronger concentrations of retinol.

Retinoid cream/gel topical is prescribed by your dermatologist or doctor. Retinoids do an amazing job of unclogging your pores and removing dead skin cells. Remember skinaare products take time to work. Verywellhealth.com says, “Depending on the medication you are using, it can take at few weeks before you really start to notice an improvement in your skin, and it can take up to three months longer to see clearing.” Don’t give up too soon! If you stop treatment before that time period, you are not giving your skin time to fully adjust and shed old dead skin.

Prescription retinoids are divided into three categories:

A.. Tretinoin, which includes brands Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, and Renova.

B. Tazarotene, such as the brand Tazorac.

C. Adapalene, such as the brand Differin.

Disclaimer:
I am an esthetician, not a dermatologist. All information is based on personal experience and knowledge I have obtained through research. Please consult a dermatologist if you experience and unusual side effect of retinol or need a prescription for retinoids.

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