If you’ve ever so much as dabbled in the skin care community, you’ve probably heard about retinol and how it seems to be the magic ingredient to all our skin woes.
While that statement isn’t completely realistic, retinol is a powerful ingredient that does a lot of good for the skin! It is a Vitamin A derivative that is used to treat a variety of skin types and conditions by promoting cellular turnover and collagen production.
If you’re new to retinol or just looking for more information, you’re in the right place. Here’s GlyMed’s guide to all things about retinol.
Retinol is best known for its anti-aging benefits, especially in reducing the development and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is a powerful collagen-encouraging ingredient that allows the skin to heal and regenerate from the inside out! As new collagen is produced, the skin will appear plump with softened wrinkles and fine lines for a more youthful look.
While retinol is an excellent age-management ingredient, the benefits don’t end there. Retinol has the power to remove dead skin cells, oil, dirt and other impurities that get stuck in your pores and cause acne. It is also capable of reducing scarring from within, due to its ability to penetrate into the second layer of skin, the dermis, to stimulate collagen and elastin: two proteins that are crucial for healing.
If there’s anything to note about hyperpigmentation, it’s that it can linger under the skin before making an appearance. Therefore, it is essential to use a product that can stimulate cell turnover to eliminate excess pigment that results in uneven skin tone.
Retinol encourages and increases cell turnover to speed up results and even the skin's overall tone. Furthermore, it can increase the effectiveness of other ingredients, so pairing retinol with a tyrosinase inhibitor will reduce excess pigment for better results.
That’s also what makes retinol so wonderful for sun-damaged skin. Since sun damage doesn’t surface on the skin right away, retinol can treat the damage, such as pigmentation, before it appears.
While our skin cells naturally turn over to bring healthier cells to the surface, this process slows down as you age. The slowing of cell turnover can lead to dull, lackluster skin that often comes with aging. Then enters retinol. As a restorative antioxidant, retinol does not physically exfoliate the skin, but instead regulates the natural exfoliation process by increasing cellular renewal, leading to brighter, even-toned skin.
Have you ever put on makeup to find that it did not sit well on your face? It may not be the makeup or the application technique but uneven skin texture. Textured skin is often the result of dead skin cell buildup, acne scarring, enlarged pores, aging and environmental factors. Thankfully, retinol can help! As it increases cell turnover, it refines and resurfaces the skin without thickening the outermost layer. The result? A smooth and improved surface that’s easy for applying makeup.
Retinol is typically seen as an anti-aging product and therefore reserved for those who are starting their aging-management routine. However, since it’s an effective treatment for acne and skin texture, adolescents can use retinol to treat teenage acne if they are over the age of twelve. If you have questions about retinol and when you can add it to your skin care routine, talk to your skin care professional to make an informed decision.
While you can easily find retinol in drugstores and cosmeceutical-grade skin care, effective retinol is best found in professional formulations sold through estheticians and other skin care professionals. GlyMed’s Retinol Rejuvenation Serum is a suitable place to start as our retinol is micro-encapsulated, which means it is slowly released over time, rather than as soon as it’s applied.
Micro-encapsulation allows the product to penetrate deeper into the skin before activating so it can promote skin wellness from the inside. It is also proven to be less aggressive on the skin, making it suitable for first-time retinol users and those with sensitive skin.
Retinol breaks down when exposed to the sun’s UV rays, so it’s essential that SPF is used to maintain the efficacy of the ingredients. Additionally, retinol can cause photosensitivity, even if you’re only using it at night, so make sure you’re protecting your beautiful skin during the day!
Retinol can be extremely drying for someone who is using it for the first time. If you’re brand new to retinol, you may want to use a buffer product (such as our Ultra Hydro Gel) or start by using it only a few nights a week and increasing usage as your skin gets used to the new ingredient.
When you’re pregnant or nursing, everything that your body absorbs is also fed to the child. While the use of topical Vitamin A (retinol) is safe for adult skin, it has proven harmful to unborn and newborn children, so you must discontinue your retinol use if you are actively trying to conceive, are pregnant or nursing.
During this stage, you may be searching for a safe alternative that can continue to improve the skin the way your retinol does. We highly recommend the Bio Renewal Serum as a pregnancy-safe alternative as it will stimulate cell detoxification and delay cellular aging similar to how retinol would.
Your GlyMed professional is the best person to guide you through your skin care journey, and therefore, the best person to talk to about adding retinol to your nightly routine! Contact your esthetician to learn if retinol is right for you and to purchase through their REGEN® Retail store!
If you’re new to GlyMed Plus and looking for a skin care professional to consult and buy through, you can search for a GlyMed Professional and retailer on our website!