Why Retinol is a GameChanger?
Today we are going to talk about the game changer in your skincare routine Powerhouse retinol. Retinol has been known to have a bad rep around town, but trust us, with the proper introduction to your skincare routine, you will be wondering what kept you away for so long! With that being said, what exactly is retinol? Retinol is a form of retinoid, which are compounds derived from vitamin A. Our skin is actually retinoid-responsive, meaning when applied topically, our skin will easily (& greedily) absorb it. Now, there are many different kinds of retinoids, from Retain-A retinoid, which can only be prescribed by your dermatologist, to retinol, which you can buy over the counter. For today’s discussion, we will be showing you how high-quality, over-the-counter retinol can be the game change your skin has been looking for. So, what can retinol do for your skin exactly? Retinol has been clinically proven to reduce acne and anti-aging & aid with reducing sun damage (hyperpigmentation, wrinkles & fine lines).
Powerhouse Retinol:
Acne:
Retinol has been clinically proven as a safe & effective way to treat active acne. Think of powerhouse retinol as your A team fighting against active acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. These anti-inflammatory properties help reduce clogged pores, and as we know, clogged pores are what cause whiteheads & blackheads to rear their annoying heads. So, being consistent with your retinol will keep those pores clear a decrease buildup of skin cells. Basically, retinol helps with not only reducing active acne but the redness that usually accompanies it.
Anti-aging:
We all love a good anti-aging solution; however, most products make the bold statement of being anti-aging but have little to no results. This is definitely not the case for retinol. Why? Well, first & foremost, retinol has been clinically proven to support the aging of our skin. So, what does this mean exactly? Let’s start internally. The first vitamin to be approved by the FDA as an anti-aging frontman was, yes, you guessed it, vitamin A. So, imagine putting vitamin A straight on your skin. Now, do you see why this is such a game-changer? But what makes vitamin A anti-aging? As most of us know, our skin cells naturally turn over; however, as we age, this happens at a lesser frequency than it did when we were younger. So, that is where retinol comes into play; it helps speed up our skin’s cell turnover to allow for our new skin cells to the surface, revealing brighter, smoother skin while promoting our skin’s collagen production to hydrate & plump the skin. Remember, collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging (no, thank you), and powerhouse retinol not only encourages collagen production but helps fight off specific enzymes that are set to destroy our skin’s collagen.
Reduces sun damage:
As we mentioned previously, retinol helps with faster skin cell turnover, which aids in helping us achieve an overall even complexion. Basically, with more rapid skin cell turnover, it means reducing sun damage, such as wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation & age spots that prevent us from having an even, bright skin tone. Let’s not forget that retinol is also a gentle exfoliate, so it not only helps with resurfacing our new, healthy skin but exfoliates the skin that can cause our skin to look dull & tired-looking. I’ll pass.
Who should invest in retinol?
It is not recommended to use retinol if you are pregnant or nursing. If you are dealing with any of the following, it is recommended to see an aesthetician or dermatologist before investing in retinol, so they can advise you on the retinol that is perfect for your skincare needs: rosacea, eczema, severe acne, sensitive skin, or dry skin.
Risk & side effects:
It is important to remember that when starting powerhouse retinol, your skin will have to acclimate to it, so it is normal if you experience dryness, redness, or itchiness in the first few weeks of using retinol. But don’t worry! This will not last forever. We at Face of Jules always recommend the 3, 2, 1 method when introducing any new product in your skincare routine. Basically, in the first week, use it every 3rd night, the second week every other night & by the third week, you can use it nightly.
Another important reminder is that retinol makes you more sensitive to the sun. So, sunscreen is your new BFF. Every day. Every. Single. Day. Rain or shine, cloudy or sunny. Wear it. If you want to be extra about it, applying sunscreen every 2 hours is ideal. Remember protecting yourself from the sun prevents hyperpigmentation, sunspots & wrinkles, but don’t worry, we’ll get into the wonders of sunscreen next time.
Remember, consistency is key! Do not give up on your retinol if you are not seeing instant results. Stick with it & I promise you will not regret it.
Sources:
-Kolli SS, Pecone D, Pona A, Cline A, Feldman SR. Topical Retinoids in Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2019 Jun;20(3):345-365. DOI: 10.1007/s40257-019-00423-z. PMID: 30674002.
-Leyden, James, et al. “Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne.” Dermatology and therapy vol. 7,3 (2017): 293-304. doi:10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2
-Zasada M, Budzisz E, Erkiert-Polguj A. A Clinical Anti-Ageing Comparative Study of 0.3 and 0.5% Retinol Serums: A Clinically Controlled Trial. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2020;33(2):102-116. doi: 10.1159/000508168. Epub 2020 May 19. PMID: 32428912.
-Zasada, Malwina, and Elżbieta Budzisz. “Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments.” Postepy dermatologii i alergologii vol. 36,4 (2019): 392-397. doi:10.5114/ada.2019.87443
