Should you incorporate retinoids into your skincare routine? Yes, definitely and absolutely. Here’s why. Think of Retinoid as basically a tweaked version of Vitamin A. Retinoids offer several possible benefits to the skin such as anti-aging by influencing skin cells to behave in a younger healthier way, improving stubborn skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis, and in addition to that it also hydrates the skin leaving you with an enviable glow. As we wait for the elixir of youth to be found or invented, it is safe to say that in the meantime we can achieve flawless skin using retinoids. Stick with me to find out more about this game-changing skincare product.
Types of Retinoids and What they Treat
In high school, I was never really into Biology. I struggled with spelling scientific terms leave alone knowing what they meant. For skincare though, I had to relearn everything. All retinoids have the possibility of giving similar outcomes, the difference lies in their strength and whether they are offered over the counter (OTC) or on prescription only.
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1. Retinyl Esters
If you have never used retinoids or if you have sensitive skin retinyl esters would be the best place to start. This type of retinoid is considered to be the weakest. This means it has a lower chance of causing skin irritation. The drawback of using retinyl esters is that it has a less anti-wrinkle effect compared to retinol. It is sold over the counter.
2. Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin)
This is the big daddy of retinoids. It works significantly faster in comparison to retinol. This is because it is absorbed directly into skin layers without the need for conversion. It is used to treat acne, fine lines, wrinkles, psoriasis, and hyperpigmentation. Because of its potency, it is available by prescription only.
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3. Retinol
This is the standard ingredient found in most over-the-counter retinoid skincare products. Top brands such as SIO Beauty, Instantly Ageless, Clinique Skin Care, and Crème De La Mer swear by retinol in their products. It can be used to combat dryness, improve skin texture, and treat acne and keratosis pilaris.
Side Effects of Using Retinoids
Attaining flawless skin using retinoids comes with a high risk and reward ratio. It is similar to Wall Street. Will your skin crash and burn just like the markets or will you reap your profits of fabulous letter-perfect skin?
Retinoids can be considered an effective organic skincare secret for treating various skincare problems. However, it’s their potency and strength that may cause the following side effects:
- Skin redness
- Itching and discoloration
- Extremely dry skin
- Scaly skin
To minimize the side effects and get flawless skin using retinoids do the following:
- Always test new products on a small area on your skin before committing to it
- Start with products containing a lower concentration of retinoids
- Sunscreen is essential
- Moisturize everyday
- Wait for at least 3 weeks before introducing new products.
- Avoid using multiple anti-aging products with retinoids at once
Debunking Retinoid Myths
Science has proven over the years that chalking up flawless skin using retinoids is possible but word of mouth tends to travel faster in our day-to-day convos. Here are a few myths related to the Holy Grail of retinoids:
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1. You are too young to be on retinoids
Retinoids were originally prescribed to young people who were suffering from acne. During the 1980s research and study on the benefits of using retinoids were published. It included further benefits such as reducing hyperpigmentation and fine lines thus marketing retinoids as anti-aging products. Lifestyle and Beauty influencer Doux Fairy, 18, credits her amazing healthy skin to Olay’s Regenerist which is a retinol-infused facial moisturizer.
2. Using Retinoids will thin out your skin
Does peeling skin mean your skin is thinning out? When I first started using retinoids, I noticed my skin started peeling. This made me automatically assume that my skin was thinning but the opposite was quite true. Retinoids actually stimulate the production of collagen which helps thicken the skin. The peeling was a result of introducing retinoids to my routine for the first time but it subsided as my skin adjusted to it. Come to think about it, a natural sign of aging is skin thinning which as we now know can be combated by efficient use of retinoids.
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3. The higher retinoid percentage will result in faster and better results
The retinoid journey is a marathon and not a sprint. If you are looking for an overnight beauty solution to all your skincare problems, retinoids aren’t it. Before you slab the strongest formula all over your face be aware of the side effects. Getting a prescription from your dermatologist will save you the hustle of finding the most suitable strength and formula to achieve flawless skin using retinol.
Should you use a cream or gel retinoid-based product? If you have normal to dry, sensitive skin, the cream would suffice. This is because retinol creams contain lesser alcohol percentages than gel retinol which is suitable for oily skin.
No doubt, retinoids are an encouraging product in the beauty industry. It may however take up to 6 months to give you visible results. The best time to use retinoids is during your nighttime routine as they tend to trigger the photosensitivity of the skin. If you are a beauty junkie obsessed with skincare like me I assure you retinoids will have your skin jonesing for more.
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