retinol 101

You can start using topical retinol in your mid 20s. Retinol stimulates collagen and increases skin thickness and elasticity. Creating a good skin foundation early on will help your skin develop a strong foundation to resist wrinkling as you age. You can apply moisturizer first to keep the skin barrier hydrated and to reduce the risk of irritation.

For Retinol products, we carry Retinol from SkinMedica®. We recommend using it every other night at first before switching to every night.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is apart of the Vitamin A family called retinoids, which our body needs for healthy vision, bone growth and a strong immune system. However, our bodies do not naturally produce Vitamin A, so we need to consume different forms to help our body meet those requirements. Our skin however is the last organ to get the vitamins we consume so topical application is the best way to reap the benefits of anti-aging and healthy looking skin.

 

How Does Retinol work?

Retinol applied topically helps increase your skin’s natural cell turnover rate, remove dead skin cells that clog pores and increase collagen production. In other words it plumps skin cells up until they are ready to slough off and this helps with fine lines, wrinkles and the overall appearance of the skin.

 

Who is Retinol for?

The formulations today that are widely available without a prescription are a lower grade concentration that can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to refine their skin texture, battle breakouts and help with fine lines and wrinkles. We at Urban You- Beauty Bar in Grand Rapids recommend starting with our Retinol Complex by SkinMedica. If you are new to retinol you should start off with the 0.5 then work your way up to the 1.0 Retinol Complex.

 

Tips and Tricks:

  • Gradually introduce your skin to retinols by only using a small amount once or twice a week for 2 weeks. After the 2 weeks try adding a night until your skin can handle using retinol every night

  • Oily skin tends to have a higher tolerance to retinol

  • For dryer skin types you can mix your retinol with your moisturizer to help with any irritations

  • Retinol does increase your sensitivity to the sun so make sure you always wear your SPF  

  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you may not use retinol

skincareNicole Gregory