You know when you’re trying to get into a good ritual and have to realllly practice sticking to the routine? Maybe a new workout regimen? Curbing those shopping habits? Making coffee at home instead of your $6 latte? All that hard sh*t we don’t want to do but know it’s good for us. Retinol’s like that.
Ugh, annoying, we know. But we promise– she’s worth it.
Retinol, a Vitamin A derivative, is a powerful antioxidant that can help eliminate signs of premature aging, like fine lines and wrinkles. It's an over-the-counter alternative to Accutane or Tretinoin, which are stronger, prescription-only retinoids that you can only get from a medical professional. Here are some things you should know about her:
She’s a yapper.
Retinol works by “talking” to the skin, interacting with retinoid receptors and encouraging cell turnover. This keeps the dead skin cells away and reduces our risk of developing acne. She also increases the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin, the two baddies responsible for keeping our skin young and firm. She also unclogs pores, reduces inflammation and scarring, and regulates oil production, giving us a clearer complexion!
She'll brighten your day!
Retinol is great for treating hyperpigmentation, dark patches, and sunspots by slowing down melanin production. This can help you achieve a brighter-looking complexion.
She’ll protect you!
Retinol has wonderful antioxidant properties against environmental aggressors, free radicals, and UV radiation. Antioxidants are great for neutralizing free radicals that cause oxidative stress, which are a root cause of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging.
Don’t rush into things: start slow.
One of the biggest mistakes we make is using too much retinol too quickly. Retinol can be very irritating or drying to sensitive skin, so we’ve gotta work our way up to it. It is recommended to use once or twice a week, then build up to everyday, and possibly every night if your skin can handle it.
Don’t come on too strong!
Retinol is a powerful ingredient known for its anti-aging and skin-smoothing benefits. However, its potency can sometimes lead to sensitivity and irritation, especially for those new to its use. Here are some tips to help you introduce retinol into your skincare routine without overwhelming your skin
The Sandwiching Method
The sandwiching method is a popular way to minimize the potential for irritation when using retinol. Here's how it works:
- Cleanse and Apply Moisturizer: Start by cleansing your face as usual. Follow up with a layer of a gentle, hydrating moisturizer. This step helps to create a buffer between your skin and the retinol.
- Apply Retinol: Once your moisturizer has absorbed, apply your retinol product. Use a pea-sized amount and spread it evenly across your face.
- Moisturize Again: After the retinol has had a moment to sink in, apply another layer of your moisturizer. This second layer helps to seal in the retinol and further reduce the risk of irritation.
Note: While the sandwiching method is good for reducing irritation, it does so because it reduces the skin's ability to absorb the retinol fully due to the barrier of moisturizer before applying the retinol. So simply switch to a lower concentration of retinol if you don’t want to waste moisturizer using this method!
Tips for Minimizing Sensitivity and Irritation
- Start Slow: Begin by using retinol once or twice a week, gradually increasing the frequency as your skin builds tolerance.
- Use Soothing Ingredients: Incorporate products with soothing ingredients into your routine to counteract potential irritation. BiotechBeauty’s products contain a variety of calming components, such as:some text
- Niacinamide: Helps to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce redness.
- Aloe Vera: Known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
- Rose Water: Helps to hydrate and calm the skin.
- Squalane: Provides lightweight hydration without clogging pores.
- Glycerin: A humectant that attracts moisture to the skin.
- Ceramides: Essential for maintaining the skin’s natural barrier.
- Avoid Harsh Ingredients: Steer clear of other potent actives like AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin C when you first start using retinol. Introducing too many active ingredients at once can exacerbate irritation.
- Hydrate and Protect: Always follow up with a good moisturizer and use sunscreen during the day. Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it's crucial to protect it.
BiotechBeauty’s makeup line is specifically designed to soothe and protect your skin while delivering the benefits of advanced skincare. Our formulations include ingredients like niacinamide, aloe, and squalane, which are perfect for supporting your skin during retinol use. Find these superstars in our:
- Plumping Moisturizer: Packed with ceramides, collagen, niacinamide, aloe, and rose water to hydrate and calm the skin.
- Color Multi-Sticks: Convenient and soothing, with ingredients like squalane, jojoba esters, and ceramides to ensure your skin stays nourished and protected.
She's a Nightlife Girlie
Retinol can be deactivated by light, so apply before bed for best results. It can make your skin more sensitive to UV damage, so you should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 30 during the day.
Need something stronger?
Tried everything (including retinol) and still struggling with stubborn acne? Check out our blogs on Tretinoin and Accutane to see if they might be right for you.
Peep our fav retinol products:
Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil
SOME BY MI Retinol Intense Advanced Triple Action Eye Cream
COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream
She’s retin-ol you need.
XO,
BiotechBeauty
