I may be biased but I really believe that retinol NS The holy grail of all skin care products. For me, the fountain of youth (besides botox) exists in the form of vitamin A. Let me reiterate a bit and tell you why I think everyone needs a retinol serum in their life. surname. Whether you use an over-the-counter serum or a prescription cream, the benefits are multifaceted. Do you have acne scars, rough skin, wrinkles, large pores or sun damage? Retinol can fix that! One caveat, finding the best retinol serums for your skin takes time and patience.
I really don’t know of any other potent skin care ingredients that can do all. I was first introduced to retinol in my mid-20s when I was trying to fight acne while improving texture and preventing wrinkles. In recent years, I have begun experimenting with professional chemical peels combined with prescription retinoids to really penetrate the nitrogen layer of the dermis. And for the first time in my life, my skin feels really good. While it takes some time to find the best retinol serum, it is well worth the wait.
To learn more, I asked Dr. Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, who told me the magic of retinol lies in its ability to speed up skin cell turnover and keep collagen from breaking down while acting as a Antioxidants. Have a plot? The same, similar. Read on to learn more about this game-changing ingredient and discover the best retinol serums to incorporate into your skincare routine.
What is retinol and what does it do?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A, and the other most common topical vitamin A derivatives are retinoic acid (also known as the prescription retinoid “tretinoin” or the brand-name version “Retin-A”), retinyl palmitate, tazarotene and adapalene.
Retinol and Retinoids?
Retinoid refers to all forms of vitamin A. Retinol is a gentler type of retinoid found in over-the-counter preparations.
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Over-The-Counter vs Prescription-Strength
Dr. Geddes-Bruce shares that retinoic acid (also known as prescription tretinoin) is the only formulation proven to reduce wrinkles because retinol can be converted to (very) small amounts of retinoic acid. in the skin. She adds: “We suspect you might also see an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, albeit to a lesser extent. Retinyl palmitate is the weakest form with poor skin penetration.”
If you’re thinking of upgrading your over-the-counter retinol to a prescription, Dr. Geddes-Bruce says she only offers prescription retinoids to patients who have expressed interest or for acne treatment. Positive and reverse acne scars. She recommends starting with an over-the-counter product that contains retinol first, especially if you’re just starting your skincare journey. Start with an over-the-counter retinol that will cause the least irritation or side effects. Once you’ve consistently used and tolerated the best retinol serum for your skin, you can move on to the prescription version.
Incorporate retinol into your routine
If you’re new to retinol or have extremely sensitive/dry skin, Dr. Geddes-Bruce recommends starting with the lowest amount – for retinol, this is usually less than 1%. “Make sure you use it for at least a month before moving on to the next level,” she advises. “The goal has always been to try and use a retinoid nightly; However, this is difficult for most people. I think a minimum of three nights a week is a great goal. ”
Once you find the best retinol serum for you, you should use a pea-sized amount. Apply it to the entire face by placing a pea-sized amount on the back of your non-dominant hand and using the finger pads of your other hand to dab a small amount onto key areas of the mold. face (forehead, cheeks and chin). Remember to rub it in and apply moisturizer. Geddes-Bruce warns that your skin can often become irritated, pink, tight, dry or flaky during the adjustment period which can take two to four weeks.
Before that, Dr. Bruce shared the best over-the-counter retinol serums:
Dr. Geddes-Bruce Doctor’s Only Prescription Retinol Serum:
- Arazlo (tazarotene): “I am INTERESTED with this prescription retinoid. These are the most powerful retinoids (tazarotene) but are easy to use with minimal irritation. After years of trying, this is the first retinoid I’ve been able to consistently use. And as a dermatologist, I try a lot.”
- Retin-A (tretinoin) – “An old but good cream and probably works best – ie for wrinkles. Can be frustrating so start slow and work your way up.
- Aklief (trifarotene) – “The new kid on the prescription block with good tolerability and good data for external (eg, body) use.”
- Differin (adapalene) – “Previously it was only a prescription drug, now it is sold over the counter. Researched primarily for use on acne, this retinoid also helps keep skin fresh and collagen tight. “
