If there is one skincare ingredient that every expert in the skincare world raves about and that achieves Holy Grail status, this truly is the cult classic retinoid. The Vitamin A-derived ingredient is essential for skin health by preventing common signs of aging; However, despite all the press about using retinoid for better skin, there are still many unknowns; Yes, people still search on Google. “What is a retinoid? » and misinformation on the topic. Consider this your definitive guide to all things retinoid.
What are the different forms of retinoid?
Retinol, retinyl palmitate, and retinoic acid are all types of retinoids, but they are not all the same and differ in their effectiveness. Retinoic acid is the only one of the three acids that acts directly on the skin and is only available by prescription. Other types of retinoids used in over-the-counter beauty products are still effective, but the process is slower. The skin contains enzymes that naturally convert retinol and retinyl palmitate into retinoic acid.
What do retinoids do?
Retinoids, originally used to treat acne and remove blackheads, are still used today for this purpose. At one point, it was discovered that retinoids also had notable anti-aging effects. In addition to reversing the natural signs of aging, retinoids can also repair skin damage caused by the sun. Retinoids have been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth skin, and provide a more even skin tone. Retinoic acid, particularly tretinoin, also fights acne in adolescents, but is used to treat acne in people of all ages and genders.
What are the benefits of retinoids?
Regular use of a retinoid on your face has many benefits ranging from increasing collagen production to preventing acne and everything in between. Regardless of why you're using a retinoid for skin health and improvement, you have two main types to choose from: over-the-counter retinol and prescription retinoid, which you can get from your local dermatologist. Although both are effective, a retinoid is much more effective and offers more visible results in less time due to its higher concentration, since it is not necessary to cover the retinoic acid with a retinoid as is the case with retinol.
Retinoids for skin health come in many forms, including serums, creams, lotions, gels, and ointments. They help improve the skin's cell renewal rate, which naturally decreases with age. With less dead skin on the surface, pores are less clogged and skin appears fresh and glowing. Additionally, retinoids are prized for their ability to stimulate the production of new collagen, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leaves skin smoother and healthier.
The main benefits of regular use of retinoid include:
- Reduction of acne, blackheads and clogged pores
- Anti-aging benefits
- Less visible lines and wrinkles
- Reduction of skin inflammation
- Repairing effect on skin damaged by sun
- Smoothing effect on the skin
- More even complexion
- New collagen production
- Relief and treatment of symptoms associated with psoriasis, pigmentation disorders such as melasma and some types of skin cancer
How do retinoid work?
All this happens by helping the skin produces collagen, a substance that gives elasticity and a youthful appearance to the skin. What's special about retinoid is that they stimulate cell renewal in the deeper layers of the skin and actually communicate with living cells to produce new, healthier cells. Thanks to this constant renewal, retinoid can treat both sun damage and wrinkles.
Retinoids are photosensitive
Although retinol is a very effective anti-aging and anti-acne ingredient, it is a rather unstable molecule that breaks down easily when exposed to light and oxygen. If you see the word "microencapsulated" on a product label, it means the formula contains retinol encased in tiny invisible spheres that pop open when applied to the skin. These capsules protect the retinol from light, heat, and air so it doesn't break down as quickly when you open the product. They also control its release and distribution, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin. Because of its sensitivity to light, always wear sunscreen when using a retinoid.
Prescription or over-the-counter retinoid
Because over-the-counter retinol products do not contain retinoic acid, they work more slowly than prescription products. However, for some skin types, especially sensitive skin, it can be useful. Prescription retinoid is very potent and can cause skin irritation, including redness and peeling. Whether you need the most effective prescription formula or benefit from over-the-counter products depends on your goal. If you're in your 20s or 30s and want to prevent aging, all you probably need is an over-the-counter product. But if you're 40 or older, the prescription formula may be the best option for treating fine lines and wrinkles.
Using retinoid for skin
There are several ways to use a retinoid for your face and improve the skin. While some retinoid enthusiasts incorporate the ingredient into their nightly routine for its anti-aging effects, others consider it an option for its ability to clear stubborn acne. Consider these uses as the most common reasons to add a retinoid to your skin care routine.
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Acne
Mild to severe acne tends to respond well to retinoid. Especially if other treatments have not brought any improvement. The reason? Retinoid cleanse pores and allow other active ingredients to penetrate deep into the pores. Rashes usually disappear by removing dead skin cells from the pores. Additionally, retinoid help reduce skin inflammation that contributes to acne.
Acne Scars
The lingering effects of acne can cause inflammation, discoloration, and blemishes on the skin. Retinoid help smooth the skin and restore its natural tone.
Anti-aging and wrinkle reduction: Retinoic has received FDA approval for the treatment of wrinkles, but many forms of retinoid are now used to this purpose, such as stimulating new collagen and elastin and making the skin more elastic and flexible. In addition to increasing collagen production, retinoid are also responsible for the formation of new blood vessels in the skin, giving it a bright, healthy appearance and a more even tone.
Hyperpigmentation
Spotty brown hair is often the main result. Overexposure of the skin. Exposure to the sun, which causes an increase in melanin and causes skin discoloration. Regular use of a retinoid on the skin can help improve skin discoloration over time, including in some cases of melasma.
Psoriasis
Skin affected by psoriasis is often red, swollen, and itchy. However, using a retinoid on the skin can help slow the growth of skin cells, providing relief and improvement.
How to use retinoid in your skin care routine
Retinoid are beneficial for all skin types. However, to reap the benefits of a retinoid in your skincare routine, you must use it correctly and always follow the instructions on the bottle or tube. Using more than directed will not produce better or faster results.
About 30 minutes after washing your face overnight, apply a thin layer of cleansing product. Clean and dry. The skin and rub it. Usually a pea-sized amount is enough for the entire face. If you are new to using retinoid, start using them sparingly and only a few times a week for the first few weeks. Then slowly increase to overnight or every other day.
Next, apply a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer. Because retinoid can dry and irritate the skin, it's important to use a good moisturizer.
Always use sunscreen in the morning. Retinoid make the skin sensitive to the sun and can cause sunburn if the skin is not protected. Additionally, it is best to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun. And if your skin is sunburned, irritated, or broken, avoid using a retinoid until it's fully healed.
Even if you don't see an immediate improvement in your skin, you probably won't see any improvement at all. . . You won't notice it after the first few uses of a retinoid, but know that it is already starting to take effect. Most retinoid need to be used for a few weeks before the first signs of skin improvement are evident and visible. It's also normal for your skin to lighten and look worse before it gets better (so-called retinol ugliness), but it's important to keep going and let the retinoid do its job.