Retinol: The Only Anti-Aging Skincare Ingredient You Need
While few basic skincare ingredients have become household names, one is constantly part of the conversation: retinol. By now, it's no secret that as we age, retinol becomes a woman's best friend and greatest weapon against wrinkles and the ravages of time.
We've all heard of it, but even after years of it being on the market, it's clear that many of us still aren't exactly sure how it works or whether it's right for our skin. To learn as much as possible, (and of course, live our best wrinkles-free lives), we listened to two top dermatologists for a full breakdown on retinol.
They helped us learn everything we wanted to know about using retinol in our skincare routines, including why, how, and when to use it, and any precautions worth following. Continue reading below to learn more about this ingredient and how to decide if Retinol is right for you.
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles: Retinol has been shown to boost collagen production and prevent the loss of collagen and elastin we already have in the skin. This helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity.
Improves the texture of your skin: By boosting collagen production, your skin cells have more structure, strength, and nourishment. Additionally, cells on the surface of the skin will be replaced faster, helping smooth your skin and reduce the dullness and dryness of dead skin cells.
Decrease dark spots: Aside from the texture, retinol also works to decrease hyperpigmentation (brown spots and patches).
Helps prevent sagging skin: Because Retinol boosts collagen and elastin production, this helps to maintain your skin's natural firmness and preserve its structural integrity. This makes it a must-have especially for those looking to prevent or treat the appearance of sagging skin, such as jowls or cheeks.
As with everything, there are some minor side effects to consider with Retinol before using it.
The most common side effects are that it can cause dryness, peeling, and irritation to the skin.
On top of that, it can also make the skin more sensitive to other products and procedures. As such, people with sensitive skin, or underlying skin conditions like eczema, may experience some inflammation from using Retinol.
As always, if you do have an underlying skin condition, it's best to consult your dermatologist and/or gradually incorporate retinol into your routine slowly over time.
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