Is retinol actually good for your skin?
Retinol is widely accepted as one of the most effective anti-ageing products to use in your skin care routine, but many are still hesitant to use it.
Retinol beginners or those with sensitive skin are often warned that using the potent active overzealously could result in less than desired effects.
Naturally, being the lovers of skin care that we are, we wanted to understand why the discourse around retinol is oftentimes confusing and why more people aren't using the ingredient, when it could be benefiting their skin.
BEAUTYcrew spoke to skin expert and Cosmetic Doctor, Dr Yalda Jamali, to clarify how to reap the most benefits from retinol for our skin, without compromising it and causing irritation.
Plus, we delve into a handful of best-selling retinol products that come highly recommended (read: glowing reviews).
What does retinol do to your face?
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative and it's a great ingredient that is backed up by a lot of evidence, Dr Yalda tells BEAUTYcrew.
But what does it actually do for the skin on our face you ask? Great question. According to Dr Yalda, retinol helps with a wide range of skin issues including premature ageing, pigmentation and blemishes.
"It accelerates collagen production, enhances cell turnover, and reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation," she explains.
"Its exfoliating effect improves skin texture and reduces pore size, while its ability to fade dark spots and even out skin tone makes it effective for addressing hyperpigmentation,' she went on to say. "Retinol also helps regulate oil production, making it beneficial for managing acne-prone skin."
Is it okay to use retinol every day?
The long and the short of it is no, you can't use retinol every day.
"Despite its effectiveness, it can initially cause skin dryness and sensitivity, so I advise to start with a lower concentration, a few times a week and gradually increase use," advises Dr Yalda, who also recommends rigorous daily sunscreen application to combat photosensitivity as a result of using the ingredient.
What to avoid when using retinol?
On the days you're using retinol in the evenings, it's best to keep the rest of your PM routine relatively simple and hydrating. A basic moisturiser that's free from fragrance and a hyaluronic acid serum should suffice.
If you do want to use other potent active ingredients such as vitamin C, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide, simply make sure you're using them on alternating days to retinol to avoid overloading your skin or causing irritation. Vitamin C is traditionally recommended for use during the day anyway, so try sticking to vitamin C in the AM and retinol in the PM if you're confused.
2024's top 3 best retinol products
1. La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol B3 Serum, $52, Amazon Australia
With over 9,264 five-star reviews on Amazon, this retinol serum is the gold standard of over the counter retinol products. Reviewers commend the formula's lightweight feel, it's ability to minimise blemishes and to maintain a healthy and bright complexion — without causing peeling or irritating sensitive skin.
2. The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane Treatment, $14.80, Adore Beauty
Beloved for its affordable price point and moisturising infusion of squalane, this pick is one to try to diminish the first signs of ageing. It smooths fine lines and wrinkles and promotes firmer skin, and some reviewers have even noted it can be used on the body to minimise bumps on the arms and legs, stretch marks and pigmentation.
3. A313 Vitamin A Pommade, $35, Amazon Australia
A French pharmacy favourite, the A313 retinol cream is a cult beauty buy that Francophiles the world over can't stop using. The unique balmy texture means you can use this as the final step in your skin care routine or apply it like a face mask and wash it off after five minutes if you're trying to build your tolerance to retinol.
Main image credit: @rosiehw
Want to educate yourself on the skin care ingredients you're using? These are the benefits of hyaluronic acid.
Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).
