Retinol has been considered the “holy grail of anti-aging” and the gold standard treatment in not only preventing wrinkles but smoothing the lines that are already there. If you are concerned about facial aging, adding a retinol product to your skin care regime is highly recommended.
There’s a lot to learn about retinol, such as how it works on aging skin, how it should be applied, which retinoid is best for your skin type and more. Before investing in a retinol cream or serum, here’s some insight to help you get the most out of this coveted anti-aging product.
Retinols boosts cellular regeneration
One of the driving factors to dull, wrinkled and aged skin is slow cell regeneration. The turnover in skin cells starts to slow down in your mid-30’s. Retinol, however, helps your skin speed up cell turnover. Quicker cell turnover means more elastin and collagen production and fresher, smoother and younger-looking skin!
Retinoids can irritate the skin, but there are ways to mitigate this
While retinol is powerful in preserving a youthful complexion, it can also be harsh on the skin. Retinoids cause skin to shed cells faster than normal, so it is common to experience flakiness, dryness, irritation, and/or breakouts at the beginning of your treatment. Your skin will eventually adjust to the treatment.
In the meantime, you can also choose a retinoid product that is gentler and/or less concentrated. Studies show that you’ll get the same long-term anti-aging benefits over time with a low-strength retinoid as you would with a moderate-strength retinoid. Additionally, it is wise to gradually build up your usage of retinoids and only use a pea-sized amount on dry skin.
Retinols can also fight acne and brighten your complexion
The benefits of applying a retinoid to your skin don’t stop at anti-aging. Retinol products are also known for their ability to reduce acne blemishes, plump your skin and shrink pores. They can also fade dark spots and brighten your overall complexion.
While we’ve given you some solid reasons to add retinol to your nightly skin care regime, it is important to enlist the help of a dermatologist in choosing the right retinoid product for your skin. A dermatologist can help you avoid any unsightly or uncomfortable irritation so that you can focus on the powerful anti-aging benefits of retinol. Call Olanksy Dermatology today – we can develop an effective skin care plan for all stages of life.
