It seems that everyone from Nicole Kidman to Hyram to Dr. Sandra Lee (Dr. Pimple Popper, anyone??) is raving about retinol - and for good reason! The derivative of vitamin A, first put into clinical trial in the 1960s, has been touted as the supreme anti-aging ingredient. Though with that hype has come a fair share of fear about its possible irritating and drying effects. But no need to stress! We’ve got the lowdown for you on just what the benefits are of retinol and how you can fit it into your routine.
For starters, retinol is an active ingredient meaning it is used in products to treat specific skincare concerns. It’s known as a superhero ingredient that helps with everything from minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, treating acne, smoothing texture, reducing hyperpigmentation, sun spots, & acne scars and strengthening the skin barrier. Retinol works to exfoliate the skin and increase cell turnover: the process that helps to heal and reveal smoother, brighter, and glowier skin beneath. It is different from other exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy (lactic, glycolic, etc.) and beta hydroxy (salicylic) acids because it is shown to travel deeper into the skin reaching the dermis whereas AHA & BHA acids exfoliate the outermost layer of skin known as the epidermis. Retinol has been shown to boost collagen & elastin production while preventing the breakdown of existing collagen & elastin which ultimately reduces the look of wrinkles and sagging skin. As we age, our cell turnover speed decreases substantially, which is a major contributor to all the skin concerns listed previously. Thus, using retinol in your routine will not only work to heal and repair existing skin damage, but it will also help prevent further harm.
It is because of the exfoliative nature of retinol that people can often be weary of the ingredient. If not used properly, it can dry out your skin and possibly cause redness, peeling, & purging. We formulated Retinol Remix specifically to address these concerns. We wanted to create a highly efficacious retinol that would not irritate skin - effective not aggressive is our motto. We were able to achieve this by creating a proprietary combination of 3 different types of retinoids that convert to retinoic acid (what skin utilizes) at different rates. Retinol Remix features Retinal, which requires 1 conversion which can make it the most irritating with Retinol, which requires 2, and a Retinoic Acid Ester which requires 3. In addition we added a lot of soothing & hydrating ingredients including glycerin, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica and german chamomile. The end result is a retinol that delivers drastic, visible results without the “retinol scaries” as we like to call them. Even though most can benefit from the inclusion of retinol in their skincare routine it may not be a suitable option for everyone - for example, some skin conditions such as rosacea can react negatively to the ingredient. But for many people, it’s an incredibly effective and skin-transforming step to have in their routines.
If you’re new to retinol, you want to start off slow and steady. Apply once or twice a week in the evenings. Retinol degrades in sunlight and can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s important to use as a part of your nighttime routine and to always use a broad spectrum SPF during the day while treating with retinol. Apply a pea size for your whole face, yes, your whole face. If you are also treating your neck and decollete you can use a second pea for those areas. Follow up with a nourishing moisturizer to hydrate the skin and keep it protected why the retinol does its work. If you want to be extra cautious, you can use the “sandwich method” of application by applying a layer of moisturizer to your skin followed by the retinol and then finishing with another layer of moisturizer. Try this for several weeks until you feel that your skin has adjusted and isn’t having any adverse reactions (redness, peeling, purging). You can then slowly build up the frequency of usage as well as the concentration. Remember that consistency is key when using retinol, so make sure you’re using a sustainable amount for your skin and not pushing your tolerance to where you’ll have to stop for an extended period of time. With Retinol Remix you will notice smoother, more plump looking skin after one night with more drastic skin changes following 6 to 8 weeks after you start using the product. The longer you use retinol the better the results will be.
