A prominent ingredient appearing in skincare is retinol, and using retinol seems to be more common than before

Using retinol was something I didn’t really know much about until now. As I looked more into skincare as I age, it seems that retinol is the key component to keep my skin looking youthful

Is it really the answer to eternal youth? Well, that is yet to be confirmed but it is the saviour at helping keep the skin ageing to a minimum.

Using retinol in skincare

The most important part of using retinol is that you use it on clean and dry skin. You would need to cleanse and tone first. Then apply your retinol before any moisturisers or creams which would make your skin hydrated. This is because moist skin increases the speed at which it is absorbed, and could cause irritation

Despite it is safe to use on pretty much any skin types it is best to do a patch test first. Especially if you have sensitive skin

You don’t ever want to overload your application. When you first start using it you want to only use it 2-3 times a week. When you are sure you aren’t getting any irritation or dryness you can slowly increase to 4 times and then 5 times. Remember it is not a race and you are not going to get results quicker by slathering your skin with it multiple times a day. If anything you are likely to cause irritation and redness

Something I would suggest is to start with nighttime only an application. As the retinol thins the top layer of your skin as it exfoliates it, you are more likely to feel the effects of the UVA. Using SPF daily is even more important when using retinol as part of your skincare routine

The Benefits Of Using Retinols

As we age our skin starts to lose collagen which shows signs of ageing on our skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are something we will all start to suffer from as a result of ageing

Cosmetic surgery for some is the answer to remove these lines or injectables such as botox. But you will find that if you introduce retinol early on in your skincare routine you will have far less to worry about

Retinol targets the skin dermis which is the inner layer of skin between the 2 main layers. If you imagine a sandwich this layer would be the filling. Retinol targets this area of the skin and boosts its efficiency, helping to accelerate the production of collagen. Collagen is what our bodies need to produce to slow down these signs of ageing

If you have particularly oily skin or suffer from acne, try introducing retinol to your skincare routine

It is advised to try any new skincare for at least 4 weeks to see the results. This is especially true with retinol, and you might get slight dryness as part of the process. Stick with it assuming it isn’t causing irritation and you should start to see the benefits

There are so many brands which have retinol so pick your favourite and try from there

I am currently using a very budget-friendly one by The Ordinary and I would suggest that if you don’t know what to choose

If you found this post helpful, you can pin it 📌