Entering a work meeting, or having several shindigs lined up means there is never really a perfect time to start your retinol journey. Retinol (yep, even the best retinol) can make your face peel, and this is exactly what puts a lot of people off. There is one key downside to using this wonder vitamin on your skin.
If you climb slowly up to a 0.5% and see zero adverse effects, then consider something containing 1%.Ī Beauty Expert's Favourite Beauty Pie Products What are the side effects of retinol?
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Rather than depositing ingredients onto the skin, it's getting the skin to do it itself.' 'Vitamin A is different to most active ingredients – it's more energetic as it effectively pokes the skin into speed-up activity. The reason for that is how retinol works. 'And, in my experience, there is a zone between there and 0.5% where you see effects, but no irritation. 'For the retinol to actually do something to your skin, you need at least 0.1%,' says Abi Cleeve, founder of skincare brand SkinSense and MD of Ultrasun UK. Slow and steady is always the best approach, because the lower the percentage, the lower the risk of dryness and peeling. When you're first trying it out, it's best to lowball, in case you are sensitive to the active ingredient. Retinoids come in a range of strengths, from very low at 0.1%, to high, at 2%. This helps keep your skin soft and smooth.' What percentage retinol is best? 'Vitamin A and its retinoid forms stimulate skin cell renewal by increasing the rate of cell division, thereby encouraging new cell growth. It plays a major role in maintaining the youthful appearance of your skin surface by boosting the process of cell regeneration. 'Retinol is a powerful tool for maintaining healthy skin.
Gary Goldfaden, founder of Goldfaden MD skincare, agrees that a retinol product – when used correctly – is a great addition to your skincare arsenal for several reasons. 'When applied regularly to the skin over a period of months, the best retinol products can improve skin texture and tone, and minimise fine lines leading to smoother, firmer and brighter skin.'ĭr. Simply put, 'retinol is used to boost collagen and promote cell renewal,' says Dr Kluk. I Spent Two Weeks Using Dermatologist skincare What is retinol cream and serum used for? Retinoids is the umbrella term used to describe the pure retinoic acid and all of its derivatives, including retinol, retinal and retinyl palmitate. There are many different forms of vitamin A available, which is where a lot of the confusion comes in. 'Retinol is a topical derivative of vitamin A,' explains Dr Justine Kluk, consultant dermatologist at 25 Harley Street.
Keep scrolling down if you know all this and just want the edit to shop.
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But first: an explainer on what exactly retinol is, how to use it and what it's best for. Let WH guide you through our edit of the best retinol creams – no matter your skin type or budget. However, persevere (and employ a really good moisturiser to counteract the dryness), and you'll be well on your way to the best skin of your life.Īs you probably know, there are a lot of retinol-based skincare products on the shelves these days: everyone from Elizabeth Arden to The Ordinary has a formula, but of course, not all are created equal.Ĭonfused? We hear you. It's true – even the best retinol serum can be troublesome, often causing redness and irritation when you first start using it. So far so good, right? While retinol is indeed a catch-all cure for many skin bug-bears, reaping the benefits isn't quite as easy as slapping on the first serum you see and waiting for your glow revival. It’s an absolute game-changer of a beauty ingredient thanks to its proven ability to increase the skin's rate of rejuvenation – fading pigmentation, fine lines, breakouts and enlarged pores in the process.