Retinol cream is the one for you if you’re looking for an anti-aging skincare product to use on your skin for better improvements, as retinol is one of the star anti-aging ingredients in the skincare world.
A popular esthetician–Amanda von dem Hagen said that “Retinol is a star anti-aging ingredient in the skincare world because it triggers skin cells to produce more collagen and elastin fiber so that aged cells can perform in a more youthful manner.”
Using retinol cream on your skin will help to smoothen and revive your skin’s texture to enhance radiance and reduce aging signs.
This article answers all your questions concerning the benefits of using retinol cream on your skin as well as how to use it correctly for a beauty boost.
What Are the Benefits of Using Retinol Cream?
Retinol is popularly known as an anti-aging skin care ingredient that helps to tackle the formation of aging signs on the skin. However, this is not the only thing retinol does for the skin, it has other benefits that you can enjoy by simply using retinol cream on your skin.
Retinol does 5 major skin improvements to the body and they are:
1. Acne Treatment
According to Lindsey Bordone, M.D., a dermatologist at Columbian University Irving Medical Center, “retinol boosts skin cell turnover to improve the appearance of acne and acne scars.”
Acne forms on the skin as a result of the combination of dead skin cells and excess oil production in the hair follicles around the face.
“Retinol helps to regulate oil production in the skin cells and this will help to prevent excess natural skin oil from blocking your pores,” Dr. Bordone. “To get your desired result from using retinol as an acne treatment, you have to use it for about three months,” Bordone explains further.
Another board-certified dermatologist, Kaveri Karhade, M.D. says that “retinol creams can help to reduce acne when used correctly by reducing your pores.” So If you have acne-prone skin, you can use a retinol cream on your face to reduce breakout and treat acne.
2. Anti-Aging Treatment
Using retinol cream on your skin will help to tackle aging signs, such as wrinkles, and fine lines, as retinol is an active ingredient that works to prevent and reduce the appearance of aging signs on the skin.
Amanda Hagen-a licensed esthetician and beauty expert says that ” retinol is an important ingredient in anti-aging products because it helps to boost collagen production in the skin cells.”
Bordone says that “You should continue using your retinol product, as the goal to keep your skin ageless requires it. It will help you in your anti-aging regime to improve the appearance of your skin.”
It takes about 3 months of consistent use to see an improvement in the elimination of aging signs from your skin.
3. It Brightens Dull Skin
Environmental aggressors and other factors such as stress, sun damage, and pregnancy, can cause the skin to look dull and dry. Using retinol cream on your skin will help to brighten up your dull skin.
It does this by sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal a fresh and healthy ones. This, in turn, enhances skin cell turnover, making you look fresh and young.
4. It Promotes Even Skin Tone
Retinol also aids the regulation of the skin cell that produces melanin in the body. Excess production of melanin in the skin causes discoloration on the skin and dark pigmentation.
Using retinol on your skin will help to even out your skin tone. This is also encouraged by skin cell turnover, which allows you to slough off discolored skin cells, thereby, leaving you with glowing, even skin.
5. Treats Sun Damage and Hyperpigmentation
Retinol also works to treat sun damage such as photoaging and dark spots. When you use the cream on your body, it triggers your skin to produce more collagen. Collagen is a protein produced in the body to repair skin damage, to make our body look smooth and healthy.
Regular use of this cream will help to repair skin damage caused by the sun and other environmental aggressors.
How to Correctly Use Retinol Cream
Using retinol cream correctly will help you to achieve smooth, glowing skin and also limit the side effects of using retinol cream on your skin. Here is a guide on how to use retinol properly for improved skin.
The first step, which is the most important, is to purchase your retinol cream. When you are looking to choose a retinol cream, ensure that you pick it according to your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, picking high-concentration retinol is a bad choice.
If you haven’t been using retinol or any other vitamin A derivatives on your skin before, then it is wrong to select a prescription-strength retinol cream. Go for a gentle and low-concentration retinol cream as a first-timer.
The best time to use retinol cream is just before going to sleep. The best way to enjoy all the benefits of retinol on your skin is to apply it on your skin for a long time without any form of disturbance. Follow the steps below to apply retinol cream to your face.
How to do it:
- Cleanse your face before applying any skincare product to it, to avoid product buildup on your face.
- After washing and patting your face dry with a towel, wait for about 20 minutes for your face to be completely dry.
- Squeeze or take out a pinch of the cream, and massage it into your skin in a circular motion for a few minutes.
- Wait till your skin is completely dry after absorbing the cream, then finish the process with your moisturizer.
How Often Should You Use Retinol Cream?
The strength of your retinol cream and your skin type should determine how often to use retinol cream. Low-strength retinol can be used as often as twice daily.
If you are using a medium or prescription-strength retinol cream, ensure that you are careful enough to not use more than your body can tolerate. Only use it twice weekly till your body can tolerate using it more often.
You can build up daily usage after six months of using the cream. This will give your body time to adjust and get familiar with the product.
How Long Does It Take Retinol Cream to Work?
It takes at least three months for the cream to resolve skin issues and damages such as aging, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and acne.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, you will have to use the product for about three to six months to see an improvement in wrinkles or acne on your skin.
That is, you have to keep using retinol consistently for at least three months. Going on and off with the product will not be as effective as being consistent. To see major changes in your skin, you have to be patient, and not quit after a short time if using it.
What Happens When You Stop Using Retinol Cream?
Pregnancy and other situations that require you to stop using retinol products may occur, and then you’ll be left to wonder what will happen if you stop using retinol cream on your skin.
You may be worried that all the improvement that you have achieved for your skin while using the product will disappear. Let me be the one to tell you that nothing happens when you stop using the product on your skin.
When you stop using retinol cream for whatever reason, your skin will retain the benefits you have gained from using it. All you need to do is to continue caring for your skin in the best possible way and you will be fine.
Can You Use Retinol Cream Every Night?
You can use a low-strength retinol cream on your skin every night to smoothen and revive your skin’s texture to enhance radiance and reduce aging signs.
However, to be able to get to this level of usage, you must ensure that your skin is comfortable with regular usage of retinol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you continue using retinol cream while pregnant?
No, you shouldn’t. Pregnant and nursing women should stay away from using retinol cream or other retinol products on their skin.
If you have been using it before pregnancy or childbirth, stop using it till your baby is no longer a toddler. Talk to your dermatologist or esthetician for other options to use for skin improvements.
How long does it take retinol cream to eliminate wrinkles?
According to Harvard Health Publishing, you will have to use the product for about three to six months to see an improvement in wrinkles on your skin.
That is to say that you have to keep using retinol consistently for at least three months. Going on and off with the product will not be as effective as being consistent. To see major changes in your skin, you have to be patient, and not quit after a short time if using it.
Should you use retinol cream around your eyes?
Yes, you can. You can use retinol cream on your under-eye but only a low-concentration retinol cream.
The skin around the eyes is fragile and won’t be able to tolerate a high-concentration retinol cream. Using a low-concentration retinol cream around your eyes will help to eliminate dark circles, and reduce aging signs, such as wrinkles and fine lines.
Conclusion
Retinol cream is the one for you if you’re looking for an anti-aging skincare product to use on your skin for better improvements, as retinol is one of the star anti-aging ingredients in the skincare world.
Retinol is popularly known as an anti-aging skincare ingredient that helps to tackle the formation of aging signs on the skin. However, this is not the only thing retinol does for the skin, it has other benefits that you can enjoy by simply using retinol cream on your skin.
Using retinol cream on your skin will help to smoothen and revive your skin’s texture to enhance radiance and reduce aging signs.
Thanks for reading.
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