What do we actually need to know about using retinol?

Do I need to apply Vitamin C or start applying eye cream in the morning? Am I using the right SPF, or should I try the new one trending on TikTok?

It's hard to stick with a simple skincare routine when we're met with never-ending ads for new products, but there is one skincare product I've been eager to try, and that is retinol.

I feel like anyone who has recently turned 30 has introduced retinol into their skincare routine, but I know absolutely nothing about it.

Do I need to add it to my routine? What will it actually do to my skin? And how often should I use it?

Before going in blind and lathering my face in the product, I reached out to skincare educator Lauren Rafferty to find out more about the latest skincare craze.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is also known as Vitamin A. When applied to the skin, it goes through a conversion process and converts into retinoic acid.

Our body is very smart and knows how to use retinoic acid, as we naturally have it in our skin. This retinoic acid attaches to retinol receptors in our skin and stimulates the lower levels of the skin.  

What are the benefits of Retinol?

There are a plethora of benefits to using this skincare product, but the main one is how it speeds up cell turnover.

It will help to exfoliate dead skin cells, helping you achieve glowing skin.

It also stimulates collagen production, which is the main structural protein in our skin, which unfortunately, after the age of 21, this protein starts to break down.

This is why retinol is not recommended until after the age of 21, we simply don’t need it.

Retinol will also regulate oil secretions in the skin making it amazing for  treating acne as it helps the sebaceous gland regulate oil production.  

One thing to note before adding it to your routine

Lauren stressed that overusing retinol can cause more harm than good because it can cause a retinoid response. 

When adding retinol into your routine, you need your skin to acclimatise to it. This means over-use of Vitamin A or using a dosage that’s too high will lead to a retinoid response. 

Retinol response is a skin response that happens when we overuse retinol. It’s a histamine response that signals because your skin can’t break down the retinol that’s been applied. This consists of redness, irritation, sensitivity, and even dryness. 

When we have this response, it’s important to recognise it, reduce usage of the retinol.

You should only add it back into your routine when the skin is balanced.

"We can also start on a dosage that’s too high for our skin, if this is the case reduce the percentage of the retinol by dropping to a lower dose. "

"The best dosage for your skin is one that you can use nightly. If you don’t know, start low!" Lauren stressed.

Lauren and the team recommend starting retinol once or twice a week and building up slowly. After two weeks, increase usage and use that for another two weeks.

Once your skin acclimatises to the lower percentage retinol, you can increase the percentage. 

"My personal favourite retinol is the Image Skincare Ageless+ Pure Liquid 0.3%. This formula is clinically proven to reduce redness, increase hydration and reduce the retinoid response we can see with Vitamin A  products."