Want to add a little pep to your skin care routine?
Look no further! Adding retinol can be very effective in reaching your skin care goals, but where to start? It can be daunting standing there looking at a shelf full of products all claiming to reduce wrinkles, dark spots, and acne. Believe me we’ve all been there! But, if your current routine isn’t accomplishing the results you’re looking for, it may be time to start adding in a retinol to achieve clear and youthful looking skin.

Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A that stimulates cell repair and the production of collagen. It helps generate new cells by aiding the damaged cells to mature and encourage cell proliferation (that sloughing or peeling that maybe you’ve heard of) leaving smoother brighter looking skin. It’s important to note that using retinol takes commitment. In order to reap the benefits of achieving your skin care goals it will take up to six months to a year of consistent product use. Don’t let that deter you though. Much like going to the gym won’t produce results overnight, the same thing applies with using retinol.

Let’s talk about what to expect while using this ingredient. If you’ve never used a retinol product before expect to experience dryness, irritation, itchiness, redness, and peeling/flaky/scaly skin. This period can last anywhere between a few weeks to two months depending on how well your skin reacts to the ingredient. Remember this period of “retinol uglies” will have an end. Here are some things to do to help alleviate some of those symptoms; only use one product with retinol in it, start slow by using it every other day, wait a few minutes up to a half hour after washing your face before applying the retinol, never use the product on sunburns/broken skin/or other skin irritations, use hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to help with irritation/dryness, and finally use a SPF 30+ when going outdoors.

Photosensitivity is common while using retinol. It is strongly encouraged to apply the product at night before bed and to wear sunscreen during the day. The sun is great for boosting your mood and gaining that precious vitamin D; but it is also the number one cause for signs of aging! When coupling with a retinol exposure to UV light from the sun can result in sunburns, wrinkles, dark spots, and puts you at a higher risk to developing skin cancer. So please take care and use that sunscreen!

Once you’ve reached the other side of the “uglies” and your skin has adjusted you can start adding in other ingredients to boost your results. Continually using a form of hyaluronic acid is going to keep your skin looking & feeling hydrated. Niacinamide can help clear acne, it is anti-aging, and it can counteract irritations. Using products with vitamin C or AHA’s (such as lactic acid or glycolic acid) during the day then using retinol at night is a great combo for targeting wrinkles and dark spots. Of course, always consult with your esthetician or dermatologist about what ingredients are best for your skin.

Don’t do this alone! It’s easy to give up without proper support. In order to achieve that clear youthful looking skin takes time and commitment. Work with your esthetician who can help monitor your skin, answer any questions, and make adjustments/suggestions as you go. The Esti team at Apsara is here to help.

Together we can reach those skin care goals!

This article’s information and facts were sourced from:
HavardHealth.org
CleavlandClinic.org
Milady Standard Foundations with Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals: Chapter 6, pages 218 & 221