The significance of using retinol serum lies in its ability to address a myriad of skincare concerns effectively. From combating signs of aging to improving overall skin texture, the transformative powers of retinol are incomparable.
What is it? How to use it? This and other questions we will answer in this article. Let’s explore the benefits of retinol serum and discover how it can revolutionize your skincare routine.
In this article
What is retinol?
Retinol, an increasingly popular cosmetic ingredient, is known for its anti-aging properties. Vitamin A is the generic name for natural or synthetic retinoids in the body in different forms. In essence, retinol is vitamin A in cosmetic form. However, it is not the only active ingredient that is derived from this vitamin, which is why it is part of the retinoid family. It is effective in enhancing skin texture and appearance, retinol excels in stimulating collagen production and reducing melanin synthesis, resulting in a more even complexion.
Retinol is available in various formats to suit each person’s preferences and needs. Some of the most common forms that retinol is found in include serum, cream, gel, lotion, and oil. One of the most chosen formats is retinol serum due to its higher concentration of active ingredients, light texture quick absorption, and its versatility.
What is the difference between retinol and other components?
Retinol has demonstrated significant effectiveness in combating signs of aging, such as wrinkles and expression lines. However, it should not be confused with other compounds from the same family. For instance, within the retinoid family -also derived from vitamin A- there exist various types with differences in structure, concentration, and consequently, their efficacy in preventing or treating signs of aging. On the other hand, there is retinoic acid, which is an active retinoid and is the form that our skin cells directly recognize.
Thus, retinol and retinoic acid are two active ingredients that are part of the retinoid family. Retinoic acid is formed when vitamin A or retinol undergoes oxidation, appearing in a chemical form that our skin cells recognize more readily. However, retinoic acid may also have more pronounced adverse effects on the skin.
What are the benefits of retinol?
Retinol is a cosmetic active ingredient for topical application and a large number of medical and scientific studies support its benefits. So, what is the use of retinol? This component is known for its effectiveness in reducing the most common signs of the skin that become accentuated over time, or what is known as skin aging. In this sense, this ingredient can reduce wrinkles and expression lines. It also evens out skin tone and has a proven depigmenting effect that makes it capable of effectively eliminating skin spots due to melanin accumulation.
But how retinol works? It penetrates the deep layers of the skin thanks to its light molecular weight. What makes retinol unbeatable is that it improves the appearance of the outer layer of the skin while benefiting the cell renewal process, so dead skin is removed faster and new, brighter layers of skin appear.
How to apply a retinol serum?
Professionals do not advise the application of retinol freely, that is, without following qualified advice. For this reason, you should avoid using it randomly without knowing the appropriate dose for your skin. In addition, you must know what is the best time to include retinol serum in your skincare routine. If you start applying retinol and an uncomfortable sensation appears on the skin after the first few times, you must distribute the applications over different times until the skin gets used to it. It is also advisable to avoid contact with the eyes.
If you are wondering how to apply your retinol serum, it is very simple, you just have to keep certain tips in mind. Retinol should be applied gradually, starting with low concentrations and observing how the skin reacts.
Retinol serum tips for the application
Although it is usually a tedious process, it is proven that the constant use of retinol is one of the limited ways to soften the texture of the skin and slow the progression of the signs of aging.
Among its abilities to achieve skin improvement are:
● Increases cell renewal
● Stimulates the production of collagen and elastin
● Treats uneven complexion tone by attacking pigmentation
Although retinol serum can be used on any skin type, it is important to know some basic recommendations. Firstly, familiarize yourself with the specifics of the product, including the type of retinol derivative and concentration. During the initial application, it’s also advisable to apply a small amount to the skin to minimize the risk of redness and irritation. Since retinol can be irritating to sensitive or reactive skin, it’s advisable to apply it at night when the skin undergoes its natural repair and regeneration processes.
In addition, retinol needs time to begin to see results on the skin. That is why it is important to be consistent with your retinol serum and use the same product throughout a few months.
