What Is Retinol? How To Use It? | SKINCARE AT HOME

Retinol is one of the most widely studied ingredients for anti-aging, acne treatment, and wrinkle reduction. Therefore, this type of vitamin A derivative is often referred to as a gold standard in skincare villages. So what is retinol? How to choose a suitable retinol and how to use it properly?

Although retinol (the substance group of retinoid) is widely sold in the market as over-the-counter, before you choose to buy a product containing retinol, you need to understand what retinol is? Which retinoid group derivatives will suit your needs?

What Is Retinol? How Do They Work Well On The Skin?

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A. They work by neutralizing free radicals in the skin, which can damage collagen cells.
Collagen is a special form of protein, accounting for 25% of total protein in the human body, which is responsible for preserving connective tissues such as skin. So collagen is essential for a healthy, youthful skin.
As you age, your body begins to produce less of collagen and elastin naturally. At the same time, external agents inside the body also begin to break down the skin's protective barrier: collagen, elastin, fat. This can contribute to signs of melasma, sagging, and wrinkles on the skin.
So what is retinol? How do they relate to collagen and elastin? In addition to protecting, preserving, retinol also helps stimulate the body to produce more new collagen. Therefore, if you consistently use this active ingredient, you will see wrinkles, fine lines, crow's feet reduced, as well as prevent new wrinkles from forming.
Using retinol, you will feel a positive change from your skin:

• Leather texture
• Humidity level
• Brown dot
• Skin pigmentation

To retinol promote good performance, you need to use them constantly, often. This ingredient is ideal for treating acne, hidden acne, acne, superficial or new skin wrinkles. If you need to deal with deeper wrinkles, you need to see your doctor for a better method.

Which Retinoids Derivative Is Right For Your Skin?

There are 5 main types of retinoids in treating wrinkles:

• Retinyl palmitate: This is the most gentle non-prescription retinoid for the skin. You can refer to them if you have sensitive skin or are too dry and have fewer wrinkles.
• Retinaldehyd: This form is stronger than retinyl palmitate.
• Retinol: This is the strongest ingredient found in products that contain over-the-counter retinoids.
• Tretinoin: A strong form of retinoid and needs to be prescribed from a doctor.
• Tazarotene: This type is most powerful, used to treat many aging problems, requires dose intervention from the doctor.

Besides the question of what retinol is, the reason for choosing retinol over other vitamin A derivatives is also of great interest. Typically, retinol will be the best and least irritating topical option. For the remaining types of retinoids, you need to consult your doctor before use.
The texture of a retinol-containing product also influences their use. If you use an alcohol-based retinol gel, which is considered to be the most effective of all formulas because the skin is easily absorbed, it will be suitable for acne-prone or sensitive skin. In case of dry tanning, retinol in cream form will work better and be more effective on your skin.

How To Take Daily Skin Care With Retinol

Check Your Skin's Sensitivity To Retinol

Before you add any new product to your daily routine, you need to make sure that the product or ingredient doesn't irritate your skin. You can apply this small way to check if retinol products are right for your skin.
You apply the product to the skin of the forearm, cover, avoid exposure to the skin with the retinol applied to the sun for 24 hours If you do not experience any unusual symptoms, you absolutely can safely use a product containing retinol on your face.

Frequency Of Using Retinol

Fragile skin always takes time to adapt and get used to new products and active ingredients. If the first time your skin is exposed to retinol, you should only use it once a week, flexibly increasing the frequency of use. After one month, when the skin is fully accustomed to the activity of this vitamin A derivative, you can use them every night.

What Is The Order Of Retinol In The Evening Skincare Routine?

Retinol is not a chemical exfoliant, so it's not necessary to use it after toner (rose water). You can use retinol in the following 3 ways:

• Step 1: Makeup remover ⇒ Facial cleanser ⇒ Toner ⇒ Serum ⇒ Retinol ⇒ Emulsion (balms, hydrating gels) ⇒ Cream.
• Step 2: Makeup remover ⇒ Facial cleanser ⇒ Toner ⇒ Serum ⇒ Emulsion (balms, hydrating gels) ⇒ Cream ⇒ Retinol.
• Step 3: Makeup remover ⇒ Facial cleanser ⇒ Toner ⇒ AHA / BHA (after 30 minutes) ⇒ Serum ⇒ Retinol ⇒ Emulsion ⇒ Cream.

For this method, if you use products that contain acid (acid) products such as chemical scrubs, vitamin C serum in the same session with retinol, you have to wait 30 minutes or more. Because retinol requires the skin's pH balance to convert to retinoic acid. However, this method should only be applied if your skin type healthy skin, not sensitive.
Ideally, you should use retinol every other day with AHA, BHA, vitamin C.

What Are The Precautions When Using Products Containing Retinol?

Because retinol makes the skin sensitive to light, sunlight, using this active ingredient in the evening is most appropriate and effective.

• If you are using retinol products for the first time, you should use them at the lowest percentage, then increase over time and your skin needs.
• Always use physical or chemical broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day, because during the use of retinol, the skin is very susceptible to sunburn, hyperpigmentation if not protected from UV rays.
• Do not use retinol or retinoid group when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Retinol is a promising ingredient in the anti-aging cosmetic acne treatment industry. Patience to use them is the key to repel signs of damage, age, keep skin youthful, smooth, full of vitality. Always be young and beautiful and healthy!