Retinoids minimize the appearance of wrinkles, bolster skin's thickness and elasticity, slow the breakdown of collagen (which helps keep skin firm), and lighten brown spots caused by sun exposure.
Retinol benefits the skin in many ways – by stimulating cell turnover, renewing the skin, reducing sebum production and has even been proven to lighten some forms of pigmentation over time. This has resulted in retinol being increasingly touted as a solution for many skin conditions including hyperpigmentation.
This is because retinol increases skin cell turnover causing dryness, peeling, and irritation of the skin. These effects may have a layering or texturizing impact that causes the skin to appear fine-lined and wrinkled, creepy, or aged in appearance temporarily. Why Does This Happen?
Retinoids work at a cellular level to normalize skin turnover, bringing all the impurities clogging your pores to the surface. This combination of increased cell turnover and pore unclogging can lead to temporary breakouts as everything surfaces at once.
Using a retinol (or retinoid) increases your skin's susceptibility to sun damage: wrinkles, age spots, broken capillaries, etc. If you start using this type of product, and your sun protection game is not on point, you will only accelerate your skin's ageing.
Retinol Can Have Side Effects
Among the most common are dryness, peeling, redness, and discomfort. Usually, these retinol side effects are temporary and resolve once your skin gets used to the retinol product you're using (this phenomenon even has its own name: the retinization period).
If you have subterranean skin clogs, retinol is going to push all those blockages toward the exits, seemingly all at once. As a result, some first-time retinol users feel their complexions are actually getting worse once they begin applying retinol. However, once pores are flushed out, these flare-ups go away.
“Skin purging,” or the “retinol uglies” as it's also known, are terms used to describe an initial flare of sensitive skin and acne breakouts at the start of a retinoid treatment. Skin purging is common, but doesn't necessarily happen to everyone. In fact some people don't experience it at all.
If you want to target wrinkles, uneven texture, or acne, retinol is your best bet. If you're looking for brighter skin and protection from environmental damage, vitamin C is the way to go.
Overdose of retinol is a common phenomenon that is known to cause symptoms like dryness and flakiness, skin irritation and redness or increased sun sensitivity.
The retinol uglies can last anywhere from 4–8 weeks. The exact length of a retinoid purge depends very much on your skin type and sensitivity. The amount and strength of your retinoid product can also play a part. Some people experience a purge flare-up for only a few days, and others don't get it at all.
However, because the skin around the eyes is particularly thin and sensitive, tretinoin can cause irritation and dryness and these effects can make existing wrinkles appear more pronounced.
New skin can become exposed and may appear red and irritated as it adjusts to this turnover. Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules may also appear in clusters and hard bumps. All of these combined may cause your skin to appear rough with an uneven skin texture.
Retinol might not be a fit for those with overly sensitive or hypersensitive skin, those who have food intolerances or high allergic reactions, and young skin, she says. “Caution is necessary when using any vitamin A derivatives and should only be used after advice from your derm or skin care specialist,” Joss says.
Those with darker skin tones should never go beyond a 0.5-percent concentration. For those with melanated skin, in particular, a 0.5-percent retinol strength should be the ceiling—and always pair the active with a lipid-containing moisturizer.
Retinoids minimize the appearance of wrinkles, bolster skin's thickness and elasticity, slow the breakdown of collagen (which helps keep skin firm), and lighten brown spots caused by sun exposure.
Retinol is well known for worsening the condition of the skin before improving it. Most people who introduce retinol to their skin, experience severe breakouts, dryness, itchiness, and redness. The immediate side effects of retinol treatment can take the form of a surge in acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and rashes.
For some people, stopping retinol abruptly may not lead to serious changes, but it's always best to consult a dermatology provider to determine the most suitable approach based on your specific circumstances. However, there is a chance your more obvious signs of aging may return after discontinuing retinol.
Most commonly, retinol can sometimes make your skin look worse before it gets better. This phenomenon is known as “skin purging.” Bialas explained that skin purging occurs because retinols increase the speed of skin cell turnover, so any oil and debris trapped in your pores is brought to the surface.
You will be able to tell that Retinol is working if you start to see improvements in the texture and general appearance of your skin. Some people might be able to spot changes in their skin quite quickly, while others will have to be more patient.
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).
This was driven by concerns over skin irritation and systemic absorption. These could pose health risks, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. The ban reflects a broader precautionary approach by the EU.
Retinol is often hailed as a miracle ingredient for its numerous benefits on the skin, but this popularity has also given rise to many myths. Notably, there is a belief that retinol accelerates skin ageing. But what is the truth? Practically no.
Typically, patients looking to treat skin issues aggressively will opt for tretinoin as it usually gives faster and better results. Retinol, on the other hand, may be best suited for those looking for a relatively mild solution without the considerations of tretinoin.