Hi Doll, welcome back, I can assume now you are reading this that you're looking for that piece of magic to fulfil your skin needs.
So take my hand and let me guide you through the Wonderful Wizarding World that is RETINOLS.
Now it sounds scary, and believe me when I first looked into them I was completely overwhelmed and I had no idea what I was looking for. There are so many products out there and so much information that it becomes a minefield.
So sit back, and let me simplify them for you, because the truth is, there is no BEST retinol, there is only the BEST retinol for YOUR skin.
So firstly, WHAT THE HELL IS IT?
Term: RETINOL
Retinol is also known as Vitamin A - now we are looking at the derivative that helps skin conditions, not the supplement that is used to treat eye conditions (that's not what we do here).
Retinol is the strongest form of retinoid without having a prescription and when applied to the skin our enzymes convert it into a stronger form of retinoic acid, pretty cool right?!
There are different strengths of Retinol and this is really important because that cool enzyme conversion can actually cause irritation also known as RETINOL PURGE. Yep, sounds scary right?! HOWEVER, do NOT panic as this is completely normal. I went through this myself and came out the other side, so sit tight and I'll explain in just a little bit about the dreaded purge and the products I used.
So what types are there? I know, insert confused looking faces here. This question is absolutely the question that I had when I was looking for my first product, and man was it confusing. So now I feel I should try and pass this wisdom on to you, and I will try and make this as clear as possible….
Retinyl Palmitate - This is the lowest form of retinol, and it takes the skin three attempts to convert it into retinoic acid, making it super gentle for your skin. This is perfect if you are a new comer to Retinol, as it will ease you in to using it, and is perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Retinol - This is the standard retinol you can buy over the counter (or internet, if you so desire). It's your bog standard vitamin A derivative. This comes in various strengths and solutions to suit your skins requirements.
Retinaldehyde - This is a step up from Retinol (also known as Retinal for short) and is Retinols bigger better more effective sister! Your skin only needs one opportunity to convert this bad boy as it is much closer to the active molecule. It is not quite prescription level but definitely stronger that your over the counter products.
Then we hit the big time!
The prescription with the highest strength of natural retinoids, Tretinoin/Retin A - There are also synthetic forms of Retinoids. To use these you'll need to speak to your doctor and dermatologist, but these come in the form of Adapalene, Tazarotene, and the strongest of them all, Isotretinoin, which I had the pleasure of experiencing for myself twice.
So what does it do?
Retinol is a raved about product in the world of skincare, yet so many people are too scared to involve it into their daily life. I hope that by the time you’ve read to the end of this, you’re newly converted and any qualms or queries you have would have melted away…….
Retinol can improve all of the following;
· Skin cell turnover, which in turn helps collagen production.
· Busting away all those fine lines and wrinkles.
· Plumping skin,
· Reduces pore size.
· Reduces uneven skin tone.
· Reduces hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
· Improves texture.
· Reduces sun damage and even helps with acne and scarring!
Sounds like a dream right?! Think of it as your very own fountain of youth!
Retinol is recommended for use to men and women over the age of 25, as this is when our body stops producing so much collagen, and to put it nicely, starts to let us down (sad but true!!). Retinol can be a massive game changer in helping us to continue to look and feel our beautiful, youthful selves and I wish I’d learnt about it sooner!
Retinol does not make your skin sensitive to the sun, HOWEVER UV rays have been known to break down retinols and make it less effective so it is best used as part of your evening skin care routine, and I highly recommend wearing some sort of SPF during the day ( which I hope you're doing anyway for so many skin care reasons!)
(If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should stop the use of Retinols and discuss this with your Doctor)
So how has it worked for me?
So now I will regale you with the story of how I brought Retinol into my life….. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it brief 😊
So after frying my brain with loads of information, I took the plunge and bought my first bottle.
I would recommend that if you are a new starter or have sensitive skin to always start on the lowest and build your skin up. I started with Retinol from The Inkey list, and I used it every single night followed by a moisturiser. I find my skin is a lot more resilient and can handle this, however I would advise easing in two/three times a week and work up to every day. Within the first few weeks, I experienced, that's right....THE PURGE. The dreaded retinol purge. The purge will vary from person to person, and for a lucky few there won’t be any signs at all. However, for the majority of us unfortunate souls, the common signs of the dreaded purge are; redness, flaking and dryness. However, NEVER FEAR, if added to your routine gradually your chance of these side effects should be minimised. Remember, your skin is your guide.
Fortunately, I didn't get any of these signs, but what I did fall victim to were excessive breakouts where I normally wouldn't. Regardless of this, I would say don't let this put you off. These effects are always daunting at first but consistency is key. It takes roughly 28 days for your skin to renew and it is likely that when your skin is being treated it will try and expel all the rubbish, creating breakouts. I stuck with it, I continued to use this every single night and after approximately 8 weeks - the magic happened! Everything about my skin has changed for the better and I will never look back.
Consistent. Perseverance. Success
And now I hear you eagerly ask; HOW AND WHERE DO I GET STARTED?
To ease confusion of where you should start, I'd recommend The Inkey list, I think this is a really great all rounder for all skin types, it has a cream like texture, follow with moisturiser and you're done! I found this one worked quickly and was very effective.
The Ordinary also do a fab range of different strengths of retinol in squalene - which is fab if you suffer with dry or sensitive skin as it also minimises any reaction! Personally I find my skin doesn't take to the oil very well and blocks my pores, so if you are an oily skin type, I'd stick to the creamy or serum textures!
If you're a Retinol professional then Paula's Choice do a great range of stronger Retinols (please only use this once you've broken your skin in - baby steps remember).
The fab thing about these products are they are highly effective and don't break the bank, in fact they are pretty fool proof and have a full guide on where to start.
So don't get stressed when picking a product, you're pretty set just using an over the counter plain old retinol rather than its fancier counterparts. The truth is after endless amounts of research I found that the stronger siblings of Retinol (Retinal or Retinaldehyde) work faster but long term will deliver the same results. By all means you can spend excessive amounts of money on the top Retinal skin solutions for a quick fix (and it will still take 4 weeks to see results regardless) but really there is no need to do this. Skin care is all about the marathon and not the sprint, So find a product that works for you and your skin type, stay consistent and you WILL see results. When I was put on Isotretinoin it still took 9 months for my skin to clear, and we're talking THE strongest Retinol of them all! So do not panic, stronger is not always better. Remember, there is no BEST retinol, there is only the BEST retinol for YOUR skin. So let your skin be your guide, be patient and consistent. Now head over to https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/the-inkey-list-retinol-serum.html and add some Retinol into your skin care routine, sit back and let the magic happen!
Remember I am not a doctor or dermatologist, I will only recommend products I have used that work for me!
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