ALL ABOUT RETINOL
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, which is a vitamin essential for cellular turnover.
Cellular turnover facilitates skin regeneration:
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anti-aging by preventing and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles
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increasing dermal hydration levels
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pigment suppression
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skin decongesting and exfoliation
Retinol belongs to a larger class of compounds known as retinoids, which include both over-the-counter (OTC) retinol and stronger, prescription-strength versions like tretinoin.
Retinol helps to promote skin renewal and it is used in skincare for anti-aging and acne treatment.
How to Use Retinol
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Start Slow: If you're new to retinol, start with a lower concentration (around 0.25%, 0.5% or 1%) and apply it 1-2 times per week. Gradually increase the frequency as your skin builds tolerance.
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Apply at Night: Retinol can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s best applied in the evening as part of your nighttime skincare routine.
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Moisturize: Retinol can be drying, especially when you first start using it. Apply a moisturizer after applying retinol to help maintain skin hydration.
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Use Sunscreen: Since retinol can increase sensitivity to the sun, it's important to use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher during the day.
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Avoid Eye Area: Retinol can be irritating in sensitive areas, so avoid applying it directly under the eyes or on the eyelids. We see brands recommending retinol in their eye creams, and we strongly object to that - Retinol is an acid, and can migrate into the eye and irritate and damage the cornea.
How to Apply Retinol
Application:
Apply a thin layer of Retinol across your entire face, avoiding the areas around your mouth, nose, neck and eyes. Use a pea size amount or as needed. During the first few weeks, limit application to every other day. Follow up with a non-comedogenic moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and avoid clogging pores, especially if you have acne-prone skin. The Daily Moisturizer is a great non-comedogenic option.
When to Apply Retinol:
To maximize the effectiveness of retinol, apply it before using a moisturizer. If you'd prefer to reduce its strength and minimize potential irritation, you can mix Retinol with a bit of your moisturizer.
Increasing Frequency:
If your skin handles Retinol well after two or three weeks of using it every second day, increase the frequency to every day. Closely monitor irritation and sensitivity of your skin. After 12 weeks, you should begin seeing noticeable results and if needed, you may consider transitioning to a stronger formulation. As with the introductory strength, you will again gradually increase frequency with the stronger Retinoid formula.
Signs of Effectiveness:
You'll know retinol is working when you start to notice improvements in your skin’s texture and overall appearance. Some people see changes fairly quickly, while others may take longer to see visible results. The results should be smooth skin texture, increased elasticity due to improved dermal hydration, lessening of hyperpigmentation, less breakouts and overall fresher, better looking skin.
Types of Retinol
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Retinyl Palmitate: The gentlest form of retinol, suitable for very sensitive skin or beginners.
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Retinol: The most commonly used form of OTC retinoid, available in different strengths. This is the type we use in our formulation of The Retinol Meta Concentrate.
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Retinaldehyde (Retinal): One step closer to prescription-strength retinoic acid, making it more potent than regular retinol but still available OTC.
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Prescription Retinoids (Tretinoin, Retinoic Acid): Stronger retinoids that deliver more dramatic results, but come with an increased risk of irritation and require closer supervision and a prescription.
Difference Between Prescription Retinoids and Cosmetic Retinol
Strength:
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Prescription retinoids (like tretinoin) are significantly more potent than OTC retinol. Prescription versions contain active retinoic acid, which works directly on the skin without needing conversion.
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Cosmetic retinol converts by the skin into retinoic acid, which makes it gentler but less effective in the short term.
Effectiveness:
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Prescription retinoids work faster and are typically recommended for severe acne, significant signs of aging, or hyperpigmentation.
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Cosmetic retinol takes longer to show visible results but is ideal for maintaining skin health and reducing milder signs of aging.
Side Effects:
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Prescription retinoids are more likely to cause dryness, peeling, redness, and irritation and require closer supervision and diligence.
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Cosmetic retinol is less likely to cause severe irritation, making it a better option for those with sensitive skin or beginners.
What Can and Cannot Be Combined with Retinol
These CAN Be Combined with Retinol:
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Moisturizers: Hydration is crucial when using retinol. Look for formulas with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin.
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Vitamins: Vitamin C, E, B could be used with Retinol. Vitamin C has to be carefully formulated so that the Retinol and Vitamin C don’t cancel each other out.
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Niacinamide: A soothing ingredient that helps reduce irritation and strengthens the skin barrier when used with retinol.
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Peptides: These can support skin repair and collagen production, complementing the effects of retinol.
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Sunscreen: Always wear sunscreen during the day, as retinol increases sun sensitivity.
These should NOT Be Combined with Retinol:
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Other Retinoids or Exfoliants: Using multiple retinoid products or strong exfoliants like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or physical scrubs can cause irritation, dryness, and peeling.
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Benzoyl Peroxide: This acne treatment can deactivate retinol and cause excessive dryness and irritation when used together. However, with severe acne, we recommend mixing a small amount of the lower percentage of the Acne Gel with Retinol for better results in clearing acne and acne scarring.
For additional questions about Retinol and how to use it please email us at hello@bibalosangeles.com.