Benefits of Retinol
Retinol is a superhero skincare ingredient that has several benefits. In the short term, retinol works by reducing sebum production. Meanwhile, in the long term, it increases the amount of collagen and the speed of your skin cell turnover process to reveal healthier and brighter skin. However, a lot of people struggle in applying retinol. The downside of retinol is that it can be irritating for certain skin types, but oily skin is generally the best at receiving this potent, powerhouse ingredient. These are the most common downsides of retinol:
- It can over-dry your skin and disrupt the skin barrier and epidermal water loss
- Increase the risk of purging. Purging is when your skin is adjusting to the new product and persevering with the product will eventually make your skin better.
How to use Retinol?
In this post, we will explain how to use these 2 types of retinol. We have:
- Retinol in cream form by Nihon (1-1.5% retinol)
- Retinol in serum oil form by The Ordinary (1% squalene)
As effective as retinol is when it comes to reversing damage, how you apply it can affect the results you see. Because this product can cause the skin to dry out and sometimes turn red. Our dermatologist, Dr Ingky, advise using retinol (if you are using Rrtinol in cream form) AFTER you applied your skincare routine as usual. For instance, cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Only use retinol at night because retinol can cause extra sensitivity when in contact with sunlight. For retinol in cream form, only use a pea size because too much Retinol can dry your skin. And as a precaution, try to avoid putting retinol around your lips.
For retinol in serum form, only use 2 to 3 drops. And if you have never used retinol, always start with a lower dose. Try to start using retinol twice a week to begin with. Then you can try to increase the use of retinol to 3 or 4 times a week, and perhaps every day. However, if you experience purging, you shouldn’t stop the use of retinol. What you should do is to cut down the amount. Our dermatologists would like to remind you that not everybody is suitable to use retinol. That’s why it is advised that even though you have already reduced the amount of retinol, and you are still experience purging and skin irritation, then you have to stop completely.
Ingredients to Avoid While Using Retinol
Some of us tend to mix and match our skincare products. This is because, once the ingredients work together, it could do wonders for our skin. However, there are also a few active ingredients that you should avoid when you are planning to add retinol to your skincare routine. The main enemies of retinol are all the ingredients that are categorized as harsh chemicals. For instance, you should avoid using glycolic acid and salicylic acid in the same skincare routine where you`ll be using retinol. What happens if you do?
You can over-exfoliate! retinol is an anti-ageing ingredient. Any products that contain retinol are known to speed cell turnover, leading to a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for an overall smoother and brighter complexion. You might think retinol and acidic ingredients might work well together since they make claims to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But do you think it is a good idea to have too much of a good thing? At their core, retinol and chemical exfoliants do just that: exfoliate the skin. Using two exfoliants together? No, go. This can lead to redness, irritation, sensitivity, and even dryness and flaking.
Despite the turnover of retinol, do not be afraid to use retinol because it is a Superstar ingredient! It helps everyone to achieve smoother skin, and the younger you are when you start to use retinol, the better off your skin will be. And as Dr Ingky, founder of SkynFyx which is Malaysia’s first Digital Skin Doctor, says “Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol”.
Skynfyx is run by a group of skin doctors and skincare experts who want everybody to achieve flawless skin at the cheapest possible cost. So, if you can’t get an appointment with your usual dermatologist, come and talk to the skin doctors at Skynfyx! Skin doctors like Dr Ingky have several years of experience in the skincare field and are happy to assist you and suggest the next steps for treatment via online chat.
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