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Dermatological Anti-Aging: What is Retinol? How to Use Vitamin A Skincare?
Rising to skincare staple status as a globally popular anti-aging ingredient, retinol is well known for its excellent resurfacing and anti-wrinkle abilities. But what exactly is retinol? How does it provide anti-aging benefits to the skin? How should I choose my retinol skincare? Don't worry; this article is here to answer all your questions on the antioxidant holy grail!
Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is a top-tier anti-aging ingredient and one of the key nutrients that help promote cell renewal in the human body. Effective in stimulating cell metabolism and collagen proliferation, retinol is commonly used in skincare and is the core ingredient in a range of anti-aging creams, eye creams and serums.
Retinol: Skincare Benefits
① Anti-aging
Retinol increases skin cell turnover and stimulates collagen production. It does this deep within the skin's dermis layer, fortifying the foundation of your skin to lift, boost elasticity and improve sagging skin while also smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
② Brightening and Anti-Blemish
Retinol helps inhibit melanin production and promotes skin cell metabolism. This helps to reduce blemishes and improve skin dullness, leaving your complexion radiant and more even.
③ Reduce Sebum Secretion
Retinol works to control sebum secretion, unclog pores and inhibit inflammatory-inducing substances. This can reduce clogged pores and hence closed comedones and acne, which is good news not only for mature skin types but also oily and acne-prone skin.
How to Use Retinol Safely?
① Begin with low concentrations
If you're new to the anti-aging agent, it's usually recommended to start with small concentrations of retinol and gradually build tolerance. For instance, start by using 2-3 times a week and slowly increase the frequency as your skin slowly adapts.
Struggling with sensitive skin? You might want to start with a patch test – apply a small amount of the product to the inside of your elbow or wrist and observe any changes to skin condition. Ensure no allergic reactions have ensued before using the product on your face.
② Don't forget sunscreen!
As a resurfacing agent, using retinol can slightly thin your stratum corneum – the outermost layer of your skin – temporarily weakening skin defences. Always remember to follow with sun protection of SPF30 or above and fully protect compromised skin against UV rays.
③ Pause exfoliation and aesthetics treatments
As a highly potent ingredient, retinol shouldn't be used in conjunction with other potentially harsh products like AHAs, BHAs and exfoliant face scrubs, as this may aggravate irritation to the skin. If you're receiving energy-based aesthetics treatments regularly, like laser resurfacing, microneedling or chemical peeling, it's also a good idea to stop for now.
Retinol Serum Recommendations
Retinol Serum Recommendation｜SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Retinol 0.2 Boosting Shot Ampoule
SKIN1004's latest drop is a spicule treatment that delivers high concentrations of retinol and other actives deep into skin with microneedle ingredients smaller in size than pores. It regulates sebum secretion to reduce acne and tackles dullness and roughness, leaving you with skin that is smooth, healthy, and fine as porcelain. Centella asiatica in the formula also helps reduce irritation and strengthen the skin barrier.
Retinol Serum Recommendation｜Anua Retinol 0.3% + Niacin Renewing Serum
Engineered with retinol capsule technology to maximise absorption rate and improve retinol stability, this all-round retinol serum from Anua combats aging by boosting skin elasticity and luminosity. Its unique skin-friendly formula is gentle yet effective for retinol beginners to safely incorporate this holy grail into their daily skincare routine.
Retinol Serum Recommendation｜Bonajour Retichinol Power Boosting Serum
This potent Bonajour serum fuses pure retinol with bakuchiol, a milder, plant-based version of retinol, targeting wrinkles with a golden blend of double the anti-aging ingredients. Ensuring mildness without compromising on efficacy, this formula leaves skin bouncy and rejuvenated. Its addition of calming botanicals aids in relieving dryness-induced discomfort and redness, ensuring a more pleasant and comfortable experience for sensitive skin.
Retinol Serum Recommendation｜Trilogy Rosapene Bakuchiol Oil
The ultimate gentle anti-aging formula for dry, sensitive skin, safe even for pregnant women. It's concocted with 2% bakuchiol, which helps improve bounce and reduce fine lines, while nourishing with macadamia and tamanu oils to intensely hydrate skin, lock moisture in, and repair your natural barrier. Find your skin restored to a smooth, bouncy and youthful state after use.
Retinol Serum Recommendation｜COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil
Formulated with 0.5% high purity retinol and "super vitamin E" Tocotrienol, COSRX's retinol oil offers powerful repairing effects through the synergy between the two anti-aging agents. Reach for a bottle, turn back time and marvel at smoothed lines and visibly rejuvenated skin. Squalane in the formula also moisturises and adds hydrated plumpness to skin.
Retinol Serum Recommendation｜TIA'M Vita A Bakuchiol Youth Serum
The core ingredient of this youth serum, Bakuchiol, is a plant-based antioxidant and a milder A alcohol substitute if you're reluctant to put sensitive skin through retinol. It offers equally powerful benefits against signs of aging, helping to even out skin tone and skin texture and fading spots, so that your skin can glow with youthful radiance. The highly spreadable essence texture glides smoothly on skin.
Retinol Serum Recommendation｜CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
This dermatologist-developed serum is a resurfacing solution designed to reduce post-acne marks and improve skin texture. Ceramides, an excellent skin moisturiser, helps to keep skin hydrated and keep dryness-induced discomfort at bay, but the serum's light refreshing texture sinks into skin effortlessly as soon as it's applied, leaving no heavy or greasy feel.
Retinol Serum Recommendation｜The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
This high-concentration 1% pure retinol formula provides pinpoint care for signs of aging, from wrinkles, widened pores to loss of elasticity, and nourishes with the highly moisturising ingredient squalane to prevent dryness and redness. It's an ideal advanced solution for those who have built up a good level of retinol tolerance and want to step up their anti-aging game.
Retinol Cream Recommendations
Retinol Moisturiser Recommendation｜COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream
If you're new to retinol, or have sensitive skin, reach for COSRX's retinol 0.1 cream. The mildly concentrated 0.1% retinol formulation improves fine lines and firms without risks of irritation and discomfort. It's also infused with hyaluronic acids and shea butter to nourish and keep your natural barrier hydrated, leaving skin softer and smoother.
Retinol Moisturiser Recommendation｜TIA'M Vita A Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer
This moisturiser lifts, reduces wrinkles and plumps with the anti-aging dream team of vitamin A and collagen. The skin-loving formula is free from artificial fragrances and uses the gentlest form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, to minimise irritation for vitamin A beginners and those with sensitive skin.
Retinol Eye Cream Recommendation
Retinol Eye Cream Recommendations｜Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal
Enjoy top-notch eye-area care with this K-beauty cult favourite! With a potent formula of retinal, a vitamin A derivative more effective than retinol, Beauty of Joseon's Revive Eye Serum effectively targets wrinkles and eye-area dullness. Take a pearl-sized amount on your fingertips and gently apply to wrinkled areas such as around your eyes and lips for quick and easy anti-aging treatment.
Retinol Mask Recommendation
Retinol Mask Recommendation｜VT Cica Reti-A Mask
This retinol and bakuchiol formula from VT dives deep into skin to replenish elasticity, firm, and minimise pores, completing your daily essential anti-aging care in just 5 minutes. It keeps discomfort to a minimum with centella asiatica, triple hyaluronic acid, and a variety of moisturising and soothing ingredients.