What is retinol?
«Retinol is a form of vitamin A which is added into skin care serums and moisturisers to boost the amount of fibrin and collagen your body makes. By adding retinol to your daily skin care routine you can help to reduce skin pigmentation, improve your skin's texture and reduce fine lines & wrinkles as it has really great smoothing effects.
These are the most common forms of retinol:
Retinyl palmitate - the least potent retinoid that can be found in over-the-counter products
Retinaldehyde - a slightly stronger retinoid found in over-the-counter products
Retinol - the strongeest of the retinoids found in over-the-counter products
Tretinoin - prescription only and helpful for people with acne and light acne scarring
Tazarotene - prescription only retinoid commonly sold in two concentrations (0.05% and 0.1%) and helpful for acne, psoriasis, sun-damaged skin.
How much retinol is right for my skin?
«Some dermatologists will also prescribe a strong form of retinol - tretinoin - to help clear acne as it can regulate sebum (oil production), while also reducing the appearance of acne scars.
However, there are numerous scientific studies that suggest retinol in over-the-counter products can also make a difference to your skin.
At our Coventry salon, we use and recommend the Dermalogica Age Smart Overnight Retinol Repair which contains 0.5% retinol. This is a powerful treatment cream designed to accelerate skin renewal and reduce the appearance of skin aging overnight.
Another fantastic product is the Dermalogica Age Bright Clearing Serum - a two-in-one brightening and clearing serum that helps prevent breakouts while reducing visible skin ageing. This is an active, highly concentred serum containing Salicylic Acid (rather than retinol), which accelerates cell turn-over helping to clear breakouts and reduce the signs of ageing. AGE Bright Clearing Serum is great for adults who regularly experience both breakouts and uneven skin tone.
Will my face peel when I use retinol?
«Your first step if considering using a retinol-based product is to talk to one of our skin specialists. We can assess your skin and give advice regarding any skin concerns you may have, before recommending the appropriate product or treatment.
It's important to make sure you know the strength of the solution you’re using, as well as finding out what’s right for your skin. If you’re not used to retinol products or you use a concentration that is too high for your skin type, you may find that they cause your skin to become red, dry and flaky. The last thing you want is to damage your skin - so please book in for a consultation at Suzanne's Beauty Salon in Coventry today so we can help you.
If you buy an over-the-counter product, please make sure it comes in an airtight container.
When should I start using retinol?
«It's difficult to say when you should consider using retinol skin creams. It really does depend on the state of your skin. For example if you suffer from acne then your skin may benefit from skin-renewing ingredients like retinol. Equally, your skin can become sun-damaged at any stage in your life so if your skin is showing the signs of ageing or pigmentation, now might be the time to start using retinol-based products.
Should I use retinol at day or night?
«If you are using a 1% or 1%+ retinol, this is best used at night time when your skin will not be exposed to the sun. Retinol is very effective for skin renewal so fresh skin may be more sensitive to the sun. If your product is less than 1%, you may use it during the daytime but please apply a high SPF sun cream.
Should I protect my skin from the sun after using retinol?
«Yes. Always use sun protection and particularly if you are using products containing retinol.
What are AHAs?
«You've probably also heard of AHAs - also known as Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Retinol works really well when it is teamed with AHAs. In effect, AHAs clear the debris from the surface of your skin so the retinol can penetrate the layers below.
However, if your have sensitive skin or skin that tends to become irritated, be aware that you may experience redness, irritation or flaky skin when using retinol or a combination product containing retinol and AHAs or BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) such as Glycolic or Salicylic Acids.
No doubt, most of us have heard of retinol - but do we really understand what it is and how it can be used to improve our skin? The skin specialists at Coventry salon look into retinol to explain how this 'miracle product' can help fight the signs of ageing when used in the correct form and strength. 