This powerful derivative of vitamin A has been hailed as a game-changer in the world of skincare. With numerous skin benefits from reducing fine lines and wrinkles to improving skin texture and tone, we’ll walk you through all the reasons why retinol has become a staple in every skincare routine.
But first, what is retinol?
Retinol is a superhero ingredient that can work wonders to your skin! It's a form of vitamin A that can help reduce the signs of aging, acne, and hyperpigmentation. Just a little bit of this powerhouse ingredient can go a long way in helping you achieve your skin goals.
How do you use retinol?
Retinol comes in many formulations such as gel, cream, or serums. You may even find different variations such as retinals and retinoids.
Work your way up
When it comes to using retinol, less is more. Retinol is very potent so you have to work your way up. If you’re just starting with this ingredient, start with a pea-sized drop and apply it to your face before bed. Begin using retinol once or twice a week and gradually increase to every other day or nightly as your skin tolerates it.
Keep your skin protected
While using retinol, it's important to use a thick layer of moisturizer to prevent dryness and irritation. For those with sensitive skin, it’s advised to sandwich the retinol in between two layers of moisturizer to prevent irritation. Remember to also wear sunscreen during the day as retinol can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. With consistency and patience, you'll be on your way to glowing skin in no time!
Take caution
Be careful not to use retinol with other active ingredients like AHAs or BHAs as this can aggravate your skin and cause even more irritation. And if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid using retinol altogether and opt for natural alternatives like bakuchiol. Remember, retinol can work wonders for your skin, but it's important to use it safely and with caution.
Benefits of Retinol
1. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
This vitamin A derivative is known to boost collagen production, which helps to plump up the skin and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It also helps to increase cell turnover, which means that dull, dead skin cells are shed more quickly, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath.
2. Improves skin texture and tone
Retinol binds to retinoic acid receptors in the skin and stimulates collagen and elastin production. It also promotes the growth of new, healthy cells reducing the appearance of lines, large pores, and other imperfections.
3. Increases collagen production
Collagen is the protein responsible for keeping our skin looking youthful and healthy, and unfortunately, it decreases with age. By using retinol regularly, you can stimulate collagen production and keep your skin looking younger and more vibrant. So if you want to keep those pesky signs of aging at bay, incorporating retinol into your skincare routine is definitely worth considering!
4. Helps to reduce the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation
Retinol can help reduce the appearance of age spots and hyperpigmentation by accelerating skin cell turnover. By shedding dead skin cells faster, it can help to fade the appearance of dark spots and even out skin tone. It also inhibits the production of melanin, which can contribute to hyperpigmentation.
5. Helps to prevent and treat acne
Retinol isn't just a super ingredient for fighting wrinkles, it's also a secret weapon against pesky pimples. Retinol prevents and treats acne in three ways. First, it helps to reduce the production of sebum, the oily substance that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Second, it increases skin cell turnover, which helps to unclog pores and prevent the formation of pimples. Lastly retinol has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne.
A note from Italic
You can easily achieve your skincare goals with the potent power of retinol. Now, we hope you have a better idea of what retinol can do and how you can incorporate it in your skincare routine.
At Italic, we have formulated and developed our retinal products to help achieve your skincare goals. These active ingredients are suitable for most skin types. Our Future Perfect Retinal Skincare Set features a serum and rich cream formula to address all your skin concerns.
Future Perfect Retinal Serum
We supercharged this nourishing serum with the age-defying properties of retinal (a hyper-efficient alternative to retinol) to plump and revive the skin while balancing your complexion.
Future Perfect 0.1% Retinal Night Cream
Infused with 0.1% retinal and peach fruit extract, this nourishing cream targets dark spots and fine lines, while niacinamide and shea butter help tone and hydrate for a dewy, and youthful glow.
Achieve younger-looking, smoother, and more renewed skin without breaking the bank with expertly-formulated products from Italic. Learn more about this product here.
