Wrestling with Wrinkles? You’re Going to Need Retinol in Your Routine.
Those who are lucky enough to live a long life know there are things you just can’t stop—one of them being the visible changes we go through as we age.
Collagen production (the bouncy, cushiony softness under our skin that gives skin its plumpness) declines after the age of 25, lending to skin laxity, sagging, wrinkles, and hollowness in the face. Our skin also produces less Hyaluronic acid, which helps skin stay hydrated and supple. Our bone density starts to wear out, our hair greys...you get the picture.
Retinol in Anti-Aging Skincare
There are countless skincare products out there claiming to be the answer to anti-aging woes, but there is only one topical ingredient proven to help promote collagen production and give skin a more youthful appearance: retinol.
A year-long, double-blind study that was conducted on the effects of retinol on skin concluded:
“The retinol group showed significant photodamage improvement over vehicle at all timepoints during the study. After 52 weeks, retinol had improved crow's feet fine lines by 44%, and mottled pigmentation by 84%, with over 50% of subjects showing +2 grades of improvement in many parameters. Additionally, at week 52, histochemical data confirmed the clinical results, showing increased expression of type I procollagen, hyaluronan, and Ki67 as compared to vehicle.”
Beautiful, radiant skin is the result of a consistent, effective skin care routine. When it comes to achieving a youthful and healthy complexion, introducing a topical retinol product into your daily regimen can make a world of difference. Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is a potent ingredient that's commonly used in a topical treatment to deliver anti-aging benefits, improve skin texture, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, lighten age spots, prevent collagen breakdown, treat large facial pores, and even combat acne scars.
Time-Release Encapsulated Retinol
An even better form of Retinol would be encapsulated time-release Retinol, which comes wrapped in its own protective layer that has its own scheduled delivery system.
Dr. Scott Paviol, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Paviol Dermatology in Charlotte, North Carolina, told Huda Beauty:
“Encapsulated Retinol is a technology that allows the active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin layer before being activated. It can be thought of as a time-release technology because it prolongs the time between the product hitting your skin and when it starts working.”
By using a formula that contains advanced encapsulated time-release Retinol, the likelihood of adverse side effects like dryness, flaking, and irritation is reduced while the potency does not degrade, making it perfect for sensitive skin.
Building the Perfect Retinol-Based Skin Care Routine
Need to build a skincare regimen that helps with smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, boosting collagen, increasing your skin cell turnover rate, and gives your mature skin a youthful-looking radiance? We've got you covered with a full routine that uses our advanced encapsulated and time-release Retinol, for beautiful skin that you can look forward to, whether you're trying to prevent premature aging or treat visible signs of skin aging. Every great beauty regimen begins with the usual contenders (that happen to be retinol products!):
- A retinol facewash that gets off all the grime while infusing your complexion with nourishing ingredients
- A retinol serum that targets your skin with concentrated solution
- A retinol facial oil that further supports the serum in treating areas of concern
- A retinol cream that conditions and comforts dry skin
Step-By-Step Retinol Skincare Routine
Step 1: Start with a Clean Slate
The foundation of any skincare routine is a gentle and effective cleanser and weekly exfoliating scrub. For a retinol-based regimen, start by using a cleanser that contains a mild concentration of retinol. This ensures that your skin is prepared to receive the other products while minimizing potential irritation. Cleansing with a retinol-based formula helps remove dirt and debris from your skin.
To address enlarged pores, rough texture, and dead skin cells, a retinol-based exfoliating scrub is your go-to for softer, smoother skin that's clean and prepped for the next steps.
DERMA E recommends:
This gentle, non-drying facewash helps exfoliate the dead skin cells and remove impurities and makeup from your skin with ease, thanks to the Glycolic Acid and Papaya Fruit Extract. It's enriched with zinc- and magnesium-packed packed Sea Kelp to help soothe irritation, redness, and breakouts, plus Retinol and Bakuchiol, which help stimulate collagen production for a replenished and radiant complexion.
Step 2: Nourish with Retinol Serum
The next step is applying a retinol serum, which is the powerhouse of your regimen. Retinol serums penetrate deeper into the skin and deliver higher concentrations of retinol, promoting cell turnover and collagen synthesis while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Start by using the serum every other night to allow your skin to adjust. Gradually increase the frequency to nightly usage, if your skin tolerates it well. Remember to apply a pea-sized amount to dry skin and avoid the eye area.
DERMA E recommends:
This daily retinol serum is packed with restorative ingredients like antioxidant-rich Panthenol (Provitamin B5) and Green Tea to soothe skin while protecting it from oxidative stress, anti-aging powerhouses Bakuchiol and Vitamin A to replenish and plump your complexion, and Vitamin E to soften and hydrate skin. It's perfect for preventing premature signs of ageing and enhancing radiance.
Our highly potent concentrated retinol serum features advanced time-release encapsulated retinol with an innovative delivery system that minimizes the adverse effects of traditional topical retinols such as irritation, dryness, itchiness, and flaky skin. Combined with retinol-boosting, plant-derived Bakuchiol, to help maximize skin benefits like increased cell turnover rate, longer shelf life, higher retinol potency, and greater anti-aging efficacy.
Step 3: Hydrate with Retinol Moisturizer
After the serum has been fully absorbed, apply a high-quality retinol moisturizer. This step is crucial to keep your skin hydrated and prevent dryness. Choose a non-comedogenic moisturizer to prevent clogged pores and potential breakouts. Nighttime is the best time to use retinol-based moisturizers as your skin's regenerative abilities are most active during sleep.
DERMA E Recommends:
Anti-Wrinkle Renewal Cream
This highly potent, wrinkle-reducing moisturizer helps to smooth away fine lines and wrinkles, deeply moisturize and give visibly aging skin a brighter, more youthful appearance with a blend of Vitamin A, non-irritating anti-aging super-ingredient Bakuchiol, dark-spot-diminishing allantoin, and deeply nourishing Provitamin B5. It's the perfect day-time retinol cream that leaves skin looking and feeling replenished and restored.
Anti-Aging Regenerative Night Cream
This overnight sensation takes beauty sleep to another level. It's packed with rejuvenating antioxidants like Astaxanthin (BioAstin®) and Pycnogenol® to protect skin from harmful UV exposure while neutralizing the free radicals that can damage skin and lead to visible signs of aging, as well as vitamins A (retinol) and E to reduce visible signs of ageing like age spots, wrinkles, and skin laxity. Mature complexions are left looking more vibrant, bouncy, firm, and youthful in the morning.
Step 4: See the Difference with a Retinol Eye Cream
Using a retinol eye cream can help your eyes achieve a smoother, tighter, and brighter appearance right before your eyes! The orbital area is more delicate due to the thinner skin that surrounds your eyes. It's important to avoid tugging and pulling in order to prevent more wrinkles from forming when treating your eye area. A retinol-based eye cream must be intense but non-irritating for it to be worth using in your skincare regimen.
DERMA E RECOMMENDS:
Aloe Vera soothes the eye area, hydrating the skin without feeling heavy, while Grape Seed Extract helps provide protection with free-radical-fighting antioxidants, as well as increases moisture and bounce-back in skin. Retinol delivers collagen-stimulating properties that helps smooth the appearance of laugh lines and crow's feet, while Mushroom Extract reduces puffiness and under-eye circles.
Step 5: Seal the Deal with Retinol-infused Oil
Lock in the benefits by applying a retinol-infused facial oil. This is the final layer that keeps all the previous products in place while providing an extra dose of hydration. Look for oils with added nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, or rosehip oil to soothe and moisturize your skin. By using an oil, you're also helping to create a protective barrier that seals in the nourishing ingredients from all the retinol products you just applied, while preventing moisture loss.
DERMA E RECOMMENDS:
This radiance-capturing glow oil is the perfect way to give your skin that dewy, youthful vibrancy to dry, flaky, and dull skin. It's brimming with skin-nourishing oils like Safflower, Grapeseed, Seabuckthorn, and Rosehip Oils to plump up deep creases, moisturize deeply, and give your complexion a glassy, juicy sheen without feeling heavy on the skin.
Additional Tips:
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Gradual Introduction: When incorporating retinol into your skincare routine, start slowly and build up frequency over time. This helps minimize any potential irritation or dryness.
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Sunscreen is a Must: Retinol can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, making it essential to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 during the day. This protects your skin from harmful UV rays and prevents further skin damage.
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Avoid Mixing with Certain Products: Retinol should not be used in conjunction with other potent ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) as it may cause irritation.
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Patch Test: Before applying any new product, do a patch test on a small area of your skin to check for any adverse reactions.
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Consistency is Key: For best results, stick to your retinol-based skincare regimen consistently. It may take several weeks to notice significant improvements in your skin's texture and appearance.
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Conclusion:
A skincare regimen with retinol-based cleanser, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, and retinol oil yield a powerful combination on your quest for a radiant and youthful complexion. Not everyone can afford a visit to the dermatologist for a prescription retinoid like topical tretinoin, so an over-the-counter retinol will work just fine in delivering the skin benefits. The cleansing step prepares your skin, while the serum promotes cell turnover and helps stimulate collagen production. The facial oil and moisturizer provide hydration and seal in the benefits of the previous steps. Remember to introduce retinol gradually, use sunscreen diligently, and be patient with the results. With consistent use and proper care, your skin will be on its way to a brighter, healthier future!
