What Does Retinol Do For Your Skin?
What Does Retinol Do For Your Skin?
There’s an encyclopedia of information out there about skin care, often to the chagrin of dermatology experts. Beauty buzz words are everywhere you look from Facebook friend groups, to TikTok, to the cover of every female-focused magazine. What the heck is hyaluronic acid? How many serums should you be using? Is retinol really the extraordinary elixir that some skin specialists swear by?
You’ve got questions and the lovely ladies behind Moody Sisters have the answers to bring out the best of your natural beauty. Continue reading for the rundown on retinol and how to take advantage of all it has to offer.
What is retinol?
Retinol is just one of many types of retinoids, a derivative of vitamin A that offers countless skincare benefits. You can find retinol in over-the-counter creams or gels or can obtain a more powerful prescription dose from your dermatologist. Thanks to brands like Moody Sisters, retinol products are as accessible as ever giving even beginner beauty gurus a chance to get their hands on skin care’s holy grail ingredient.
What does retinol do?
Youthful skin naturally regenerates once per month but as we age, this slows to every 50 days or more which can cause your complexion to look dull, dry, and discolored. When applied topically to a clean face, retinol is proven to accelerate the rate of cell turnover, resurfacing your skin so that it’s noticeably smoother, softer, more even, and free of fine lines and wrinkles.
Using retinol as part of your regular routine can help with things like dark circles, enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, scarring, the list goes on. Retinol can rejuvenate your skin without the need for expensive cosmetic procedures like laser or injections. Although retinol is well-known to slough off layers of skin, it’s not an exfoliant but rather an antioxidant. Exfoliants strip away dead skin cells with abrasive ingredients while retinol simply works to regulate the process of cell renewal.
Retinol benefits include:
Boosts collagen production
Smooths fine lines & wrinkles
Eliminates oil
Fights breakouts
Evens out skin tone & texture
Brightens skin that’s dull & dry
Improves skin’s overall appearance
Retinol vs. retinoid
The terms retinol and retinoid tend to be used interchangeably but the two are actually quite different. There are several types of retinoids derived from vitamin A and processed into retinoic acid which is in turn used in both over-the-counter and prescription skincare solutions. Retinoids are most often applied topically with some exceptions like isotretinoin, better known as Accutane. Various retinoids are used to target specific skin concerns such as acne, aging, dark spots, discoloration, poor elasticity, scarring, and much more. For the most potent retinoid for your unique skin type, your best bet is to consult with a dermatologist. There are, however, drugstore retinol products that can be incredibly effective.
Retinol is just one type of retinoid that’s available in many over-the-counter beauty products. While retinol contains a much smaller dose of the active ingredient, retinoic acid, this simply means that results will be more gradual. You can count on retinol to deliver real results, but expect to see incremental effects. It takes approximately 10-12 weeks for there to be a noticeable improvement in your skin’s tone, texture, and overall appearance. Because the potency has been diluted, retinol is generally gentler for sensitive skin types and less likely to cause serious side effects.
When skimming the labels of your skincare favorites, you may see retinol denoted as retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, or retinyl linoleate. Due to retinol’s drying effects, it’s often combined with other, more hydrating ingredients to help bring balance to the skin. This is just the case with the Moody Sisters Pure & Simple Nourishing Face Lotion. A stripped-down, unscented daily face cream that moisturizes dry patches and penetrates deep beneath the skin’s surface to fight fine lines, dark circles, and other imperfections.
How to use retinol in your skincare routine
Step one: Cleanse your face- be sure that your complexion is clean before using retinol. This ensures maximum absorption so you’re not wasting a single drop of product.
Step two: Remove makeup residue with toner- it’s easy to be tricked by the naked eye into thinking that your face wash did a thorough job. But give your skin a quick once over with a spritz of toner and you’ll discover dirt and other impurities that you might’ve missed. Leftover makeup and product buildup leads to clogged pores and ultimately causes unwanted breakouts.
Step three: Apply an even layer of a retinol product of your choice- like any face cream or serum, you want to apply it evenly and in modest amounts. This is especially true of retinol, as you never know how your skin will react to the first few applications.
Step four: Moisturize your skin- depending on the strength of the dose, retinol will likely cause your skin to become dry and flaky which is why it’s important to moisturize on a daily basis. This will help your skin to heal properly and will also prevent discomfort.
Step five: Use an SPF- it’s the golden rule but it bears repeating, sun protection is paramount to keeping your skin looking luminous. Nothing ages your complexion quicker than harmful UV rays.
Step six: Wash with a gentle exfoliator 1-2 times per week- although retinol works double time to do the job of an exfoliator, you never know when your skin might need a little help. We recommend having an ultra-gentle exfoliant on hand, like our Gentle Microderm Face Scrub which is safe enough for even the most sensitive of skin types.
Are there side effects of using retinol?
The most well-known side effect of retinol is that it’s drying and can cause the skin to become itchy and inflamed, which may worsen over time. With regular use of retinol, your skin will also become more susceptible to harmful UV rays and have a higher tendency to burn. SPF is never optional, but it’s even more crucial to remember when using retinol.
