What is retinol?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A with many uses in skin care. It’s used to treat acne and has anti-aging effects. You can buy retinol over the counter (without a prescription) or visit your healthcare provider to discuss how retinol might best fit into your skincare routine. Your provider may prescribe medications that contain higher concentrations of retinoids than you can get over the counter.
What does retinol do for your skin?
Retinol increases skin cell production (proliferation). It helps unclog pores. Retinol also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance.
How long does it take retinol to work?
Several over-the-counter retinol products are marketed to improve the appearance of your skin. If these don’t work, you can consult a dermatologist about prescription-strength products that are more effective. Studies show that topical retinoids can help treat acne, acne scars and stretch marks. Retinol also has antiaging effects. Specifically, retinol is good for the following conditions:
Retinol for acne : acne is a common skin condition. When your pores become blocked with dead skin cells and/or oils, you can develop blackheads, whiteheads or other types of pimples. Retinol works for acne by preventing clogged pores . You may still see pimples for the first couple of months of treatment — your skin might even look worse (this is sometimes referred to as the retinol purge). But if you stick with it, you’ll see clearer skin.
Retinol for acne scars : acne scar develop as a result of injury and inflammation. These pink, red or dark spots on your skin can appear as your acne heals, and may last for several weeks. Additionally, picking or popping your pimples causes more injury to the skin and may leave permanent scars. Topical retinol treatments can help reduce the swelling and inflammation that come with breakouts and help prevent further breakouts. But topical retinol treatment doesn’t always work on severe acne scars that are sunken or raised.
Retinol for dark spots : Dark spots can develop as a result of sun damage to your skin. If you have light to dark brown spots on your face, hands, neck or arms, what you’re seeing is a buildup of melanin, which gives your skin color (pigment). Also called sun spots, age spots and liver spots .these spots are painless, but if you don’t like how they look, there are procedures and topical treatments that may help. Some people find that topical retinol lightens their skin spots, though it takes months and can be irritating to your skin. It’s a good idea to see a dermatologist (a medical doctor who specializes in conditions of the skin) if you’re concerned about dark spots.
Retinol for large pores : A pore is an opening at the surface of your skin that allows body hair and oils to pass through. When these pores become clogged with dead skin cells or oil, your pores become bigger and more noticeable. Topical retinol treats large pores by increasing skin cell turnover — which makes your skin thicker — and preventing the development of clogged pores.
Retinol for wrinkles : A number of factors can cause wrinkls in your skin. As you age, your skin cells divide more slowly. The middle layer (dermis) of your skin begins to thin, it becomes harder to retain moisture, and your skin has less elastin and collagen. Topical tretinoin and tazarotene can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by slowing the breakdown of collagen and making your skin more elastic. It usually takes several months of topical retinol use to notice a difference.
How do you use retinol?
Before you use a retinol product for the first time, try a little bit on a small area of skin (a patch test) to see if you have any negative reactions. If, after a couple of days, your skin patch isn’t very red or itchy, you can add retinol to your skincare routine at bedtime.
To use retinol, follow the instructions on the package or your provider’s recommendations for application. In general, here are the steps you take:
- Clean your skin with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. Don’t scrub your skin while using retinol products.
- Apply retinol in a thin layer to your entire face (be careful not to get it in your mouth, nose and eyes). You should use a dose that’s about the size of a pea. For the first couple weeks of treatment, apply retinol only every other day.
- Finish with a facial moisturizer that won’t clog your pores (noncomedogenic).
How often can you use retinol?
Since retinol can irritate your skin, it’s best to start slow. After a patch test, you might use a product once every few days, and then gradually ramp up to once or twice per day. At first, you might experience redness, itching or burning, but these symptoms go away as your skin gets used to the treatment.
What are the side effects of retinol?
Side effects from topical retinol treatment are usually temporary. They include:
- Dry, irritated skin.
- Itching or burning.
- Redness, peeling, flaky or scaly skin.
- Sunburn.
These side effects should gradually go away as your skin gets used to the new treatment.
How can you manage the side effects of retinol?
Making small adjustments to your skincare routine may help reduce the redness and irritation that can come with using retinol. It might help to:
- Use only one retinol product at a time.
- Use retinol every other day rather than every day.
- Wait 30 minutes after washing your face before applying your retinol product.
- Avoid retinol products if you have a sunburn, broken skin or other skin irritations.
- Use SPF 30 and wear sun protective clothing and hats to reduce your exposure to the sun.
- Ask your healthcare provider about the best time to apply moisturizer as part of your skincare routine.
