What is Retinol?
Made from vitamin A, retinol is added to creams that go on your skin. It boosts the amount of collagen your body makes and plumps out skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also improves skin tone and color and reduces mottled patches.
How does it work?
Retinol is a very active ingredient so it may cause your skin to react, especially if your skin is already prone to irritation and sensitivity. Using a retinol-based product may make the top layer of your skin dry and flaky, so it’s best to apply it at night and wear moisturizer and sunscreen the next morning. If previous experiences with retinol have left your skin looking red and feeling dry, you’re gonna need to pick your retinol with care.
Why should I use it?
Retinol is one of the key ingredients of the skin care community, from removing breakouts to preventing signs of aging and alleviating skin tone and texture issues.
Don't forget to checkout Siddharth Mukherjee's "Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety" for more in-depth analysis and we have used them as references.
Threebs' Beauty Spellbook Pick
THE ORDINARY GRANACTIVE RETINOID 2% SQUALANE
Choose a retinoid over a retinol if your skin is really as sensitive and reactive. It provides the same outcomes and advantages, minus the discomfort – thus it is ideal for all types of skin. The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid 2% Squalane is an entry-level formula sees the retinoid suspended in squalane oil (a powerful hydrator), making it ideal if you have dry skin.
THE ORDINARY GRANACTIVE RETINOID 2% EMULSION
Just like the above, The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion utilises retinol’s kinder-to-skin (but just as effective) counterpart, retinoid. However, this particular blend is oil-free so is more suited to oily or combination skin types. The light, creamy emulsion balances moisture levels while working hard to restore skin tone, and as compared to the above, this product is totally safe for even the most sensitive skin.
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