Did you know that retinol serum is one of the products that our skin specialists get asked about the most? This comes as no surprise since Retinol is one of the most clinically researched and proven active ingredients in the skin care industry. It’s the skin care ingredient that people can’t stop talking about!
Whether you are wondering about what the best age is to start using Retinol, what effect it can have on the skin, or when to use Retinol, we can break it down for you!
WHAT IS RETINOL SERUM?
There are different forms of retinol. Retinol (Vitamin A) is commonly used in skin care and doesn’t require a referral for home use. Retinol is one of the four Vitamin A creams in the Retinoid family. Retinoids work to treat the visible signs of premature aging, such as fine lines, age spots and other types of pigmentation.
As a mild exfoliant, retinoids also unclog pores, preventing acne outbreaks and allowing other topicals to work better.
WHY IS RETINOL EFFECTIVE?
Our body naturally contains Vitamin A, which is responsible for skin cell renewal. Unfortunately, when the body has a Vitamin A deficiency it causes extreme dryness, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and flakey skin. By applying Retinol topically, we can correct the damage by stimulating the skin to produce a healthier, glowing complexion. This makes retinol an effective anti-aging treatment.
WHY IS RETINOL THE BEST ANTI-AGING INGREDIENT?
Cosmetically, the most common use of retinol is to prevent and correct the signs of aging in the skin as it is known to be one of the most powerful fighters against wrinkles.
Retinol has the amazing ability to stimulate collagen and increase cell turnover rate. Over time, as the dermis thickens, the appearance of lines and wrinkles minimizes. It also accelerates the skin’s ability to shed dull, dead skin cells, resulting in a smooth and bright complexion.
WHEN CAN I USE RETINOL?
Your production of collagen begins to decrease at around the age of 25, which is when you start to see the initial signs of aging: crow’s feet, fine lines and brown spots caused by the sun. By using retinol, you help maintain a healthy skin cell turnover rate and keep your skin looking youthful.
HOW DO I USE RETINOL SERUM?
When using retinol for the first time, please keep in mind that this is a very active product. Retinol can increase sun sensitivity as it exfoliates the top layer of the skin, which is why you should only use it at night. During the day, it is essential to wear sun protection to help reduce the chances of developing a sunburn or any irritation to the skin. The Di Morelli SPF 35 with Vitamin E is a great daily sun protector, suitable for all skin types. It’s lightweight, transparent and quick-absorbing, leaving no greasy residue on the skin.
You should also begin your use of Retinol gradually. To prevent redness or irritation in the skin, use your Retinol Serum once every two to three nights for about a week to ten days. If your skin can tolerate more frequent use, you may increase use to every night.
It is important to remember not to rush things just because you want quick results. Give your skin adequate time to adjust to the product gradually.
DOES RETINOL EXFOLIATE?
Retinol has always been the gold standard for exfoliation as it can penetrate deep down to the dermis and stimulate cell turnover in the epidermis.
Retinol has an exfoliating effect on the skin, giving you a smooth, even texture, leaving it looking more youthful, radiant and healthy. It also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, minimizing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Moreover, its exfoliating properties can unclog pores, preventing acne outbreaks and allowing other topicals to work better.
IS A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF RETINOL BETTER?
A higher concentration of retinol does not necessarily mean you will get better results. Lower concentrations are the perfect retinol for most people, especially if you have sensitive skin or are using a retinol product for the first time.
IS IT SAFE TO USE RETINOL SERUM?
Retinol is safe to use, but there are some contraindications that you may need to consider:
- Don’t use a retinoid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding may deactivate retinoids, so don’t layer them.
- Waxing can cause excess redness on retinoid-treated skin. Don’t use a retinoid for several days before your treatment.
- A small percentage of people with ultrasensitive skin can never tolerate a retinoid. If this is you, try a gentle physical exfoliator twice a week to soften your skin, and be extra diligent about using SPF to prevent collagen loss.
GETTING YOUR BEST RESULTS WITH OUR RETINOL SERUM
When using retinoid products, it is important to not mistake irritation for exfoliation. While drier and slightly peeling skin can be a part of retinol’s exfoliating process; extreme dryness, redness and flaking may be signs of irritation. Many first-time retinol users often become discouraged due to irritation and give up on retinol altogether, but there are ways to avoid it. The key is to ease into it slowly!
For the first two weeks, apply the Retinol Serum every third night. If your skin isn’t irritated, you can increase your usage to every other night for the following two weeks. If your skin does not show any signs of irritation, you can start applying it every night.
Many people think they will see quicker results by applying a large amount of the product each time. However, when it comes to retinol, less is more! You only need to use a pea-sized amount of product for the whole face. It’s also important to not expect immediate results as it takes at least 12 weeks for retinol to produce noticeable changes in the skin. If it’s your first few weeks using retinol, do not be discouraged if you don’t see any changes yet!
Di Morelli Retinol Serum is an advanced formula containing Retinol, Vitamin C and Co-enzyme Q10. You can use this serum on a nightly basis to promote youthful, radiant skin. It is an excellent choice for most skin types.
