Retinol: you’ve heard about it, you know it’s a pretty big deal in the anti-ageing world, and you want to know more. Or maybe you’ve already tried a retinol product, but you weren’t entirely sure how to make the most of it and ended up giving up (I hear that story a lot!). Whatever your retinol story is, I’m here to convince you that it’s the ingredient that your skincare routine is missing out on.
Set aside all thoughts that retinol is something that only the most hardcore skincare fans use, because there are some incredibly user-friendly treatments out there that make retinol easy for most people to incorporate into their routine.
But before you do, settle yourself in. It’s time to learn a little more about this brilliant ingredient…
.
What is retinol, exactly?
.
Retinol is another name for vitamin A and its derivatives, which are
known to be excellent for minimising signs of skin ageing.
When applied topically to the skin as part of a skincare regime,
research shows that retinol treatments are really effective in boosting
collagen production and improving cell turnover, giving you a smoother
and more even complexion, with a reduction in fine lines, dark spots,
uneven skin and wrinkles.
Its ability to unclog pores and reduce discolouration has
also made it a really popular treatment for those with problematic
skin, particularly acne and psoriasis.
.
The Need-To-Knows
It sounds like a miracle treatment, doesn’t it? But before you jump into the wonderful world of retinol with both feet, there are some important things you need to know.
Retinol is exceptionally effective and, as is the case with many exceptionally effective ingredients, it’s also very powerful. It can irritate the skin if you go too fast, too soon, so you’ll need to ease yourself into your new routine bit by bit to get your skin acclimatised to the change. A good way to start is by applying twice a week and then adjusting your routine up or down to suit your skin’s tolerance level. Once you get the balance right, the results can be magic!
Once you’ve decided that you’d like to incorporate retinol into your routine, it really couldn’t be easier. Most retinol treatments are available in creams that can be used in place of or just before your usual moisturiser, so it’s just a case of adding them in after cleansing. Look for products in opaque and airtight packaging, as retinol will begin to degrade when it’s exposed to daylight.
There are some people who should avoid the use of retinol, though. If you’re pregnant, high doses of vitamin A can be harmful to your little one – although the percentage of retinol in skincare products is relatively low, it’s best to find an alternative.
The Redermic [R] Range
My favourite range is Redermic [R] from La Roche-Posay, which is specifically created for those with sensitive skin. If you’ve previously avoided retinol in fear of irritation or dryness, this is the range for you. If you’re new to retinol, this is the range for you. In fact, you’re in such good hands with La Roche-Posay that I’d recommend Redermic [R] to pretty much everyone!
The main product is La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Intense, a creamy treatment concentrated with 0.3% retinol, a retinol booster complex and 0.3% LHA (Lipo-Hydroxy Acid, a brilliant exfoliant similar to salicylic acid). It’s a gentle but effective formula that works to transform the texture of your skin, reduce fine lines and fade dark spots.
If you use a retinol treatment during the day, it’s really important to use an appropriate sunscreen afterwards (SPF 15 is good, SPF30 is better!), as your skin can be more sensitive to sunlight. If you’d like to combine the two steps, though, La Roche-Posay has created Redermic [R] UV SPF30, which has all of the benefits of Redermic [R] with SPF30 already incorporated.
And finally, the eyes. La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] Eyes is a targeted treatment with a lower concentration of retinol (0.1%), a retinol booster complex and 0.2% caffeine, which smoothes out wrinkles and makes your eye contour look fresh and well-rested.
Over to you!
Are you new to retinol, or are you a seasoned user? Let me know in the box below or Tweet me @EscentualEmma!
