Should I Be Using Retinol?

Skin cell turnover naturally slows down as we age, which increases the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. We're all looking for skincare and beauty products that can help slow down the natural aging process because we want to feel good in our own skin, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Retinol works to help restore and rejuvenate your skin cells to increase cell turnover, and in turn, improve your skin's overall complexion.

Retinol also works to increase your collagen production, aiding in your skin's hydration, firmness, and elasticity. Retinol can help to unclog pores and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And it can even be used to help more specific skin concerns, like acne, acne scars, and dark spots.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that can be found in many different foods like liver, fish, eggs, and dairy, and  it can also be found in some of your skincare products.

Retinol is perhaps the most proven anti-aging ingredient that is available over the counter. It helps reduce signs of premature aging by neutralizing free radicals in the skin that can cause collagen damage and inflammation.

Is it safe?

Contrary to some beliefs, retinol is safe for you to use on your skin. In fact, we use it in our Ocean Caviar Face Cream. However, if you've never used it before or you don't use it properly, you could end up with some unwanted side effects.

Start slow.

You have to acclimate your skin to the retinol, so it's best to use it only two or three times a week when starting out. One of the most common mistakes I see people make is that when they start using retinol, they use it every night.

First-time retinol users have shown signs of irritation, redness, dryness, or peeling skin. If you find that you aren't experiencing any negative side effects, after a while you can try bumping up your usage to every other day.

If you have sensitive skin, use retinol with caution.

Apply it at night.

Retinol is especially sensitive to light which, in turn, makes your skin more sensitive to UV rays. In order to avoid sun damage, it's important to only apply retinol at night and ensure that you're using sunscreen during the day.

Use a very small amount.

A little bit goes a long way. You only need a pea-sized amount to cover your entire face.

Give it time.

As with many other skincare products, it can take a few months before you really start seeing results. Don't give up on it just because you aren't seeing results after a few days!

Have Suggestions?

Let us know what topics you're interested in, and we'll do our best to include them in future blogs! Email us at info@nocheskincare.com