Get Real About Retinol
It’s easy to give up all hope in the skincare department. There are cream cleansers, oil cleansers, exfoliators, vitamin-c serums, essential oils (like rosehip), AHA’s, glycolic peels (you get the point) – many of which promise the world, but leave you hanging.
But if there’s one thing that absolutely delivers the goods, it’s retinol. Some of these serums completely changed our skin overnight (but more on that in a minute).
There are a lot of misconceptions about retinol, and after writing this, we know why. First things first, there are ‘Retin-A’ products, and ‘retinol’ products… and both are ‘retinoids’. It’s all vitamin A, but the first kind are heavy duty (i.e. need a prescription) and the second type you can buy over the counter.
Unlike standard exfoliators, retinoids work at the cellular level (ok, we’ve maxed-out our geek quota for today) to increase collagen, smooth-out annoying fine lines and even-out the tone. We’re talking a mini miracle, here. If you’re a first-timer, believe us when we say, it’s unlike anything else you’ve ever tried.
So the question isn’t really if you should be using retinol, but when, which one and how much?
Before we give you the lowdown, a word of warning: if you’re considering retinol, make sure you play by the rules. Do wear sunscreen, and don’t use during pregnancy.
By Carmen Hamilton.
This is the perfect entry-level retinoid. It’s super effective, without the side-effects of other potent products (like redness, peeling and dryness) thanks to a secret ingredient called Lanablue (a type of blue algae).
It literally made our skin look even, tighter and radiant after our first try. After a week or so we could pretty much go foundation-free with a bit of concealer here and there.
A high-strength retinol serum super-charged with StriVectin-AR’s patented formula to minimise irritation. Go for this one if you’ve got ‘normal’ skin because it’s thicker than the others and leaves a subtle sheen.
We noticed brighter, tighter skin and smaller pores after a couple of uses.
Pip Edwards swears by this brand (it’s all through her shelves), and if it’s good for her, it’s good for us.
It’s an extremely powerful retinol complex that also uses amino acids and hydrators to boost collagen production and repair the skin.
It’s a good option if you’re ready to get serious about winding back the clock.
This super lightweight serum is a great option for those with oilier skin.
It’s also packed with peptides and antioxidants to help your skin defend against free-radical damage.
PCA Skin’s Retinol Renewal Complex is a powerful anti-ageing treatment that drastically improves skin clarity.
A great one for sensitive skin, this formula is also fragrance-free and isn’t drying like some other retinol products.
If your skin’s really on the sensitive side, start here.
REN’s Bio-Retinoid cream hydrates the skin while using naturally derived ingredients to deliver gentle results of retinol, without sending the skin into shock mode.
It’s a good one to try in your 20’s.
Ok, this stuff is heavy duty. Read: POTENT. It’s the strongest you’re going to get over the counter. But it’s also packed with other superstar ingredients to give your skin a huge antioxidant boost and kickstart the repairing process.
We’d recommend this one if you’re 30+.
