Pro-retinol—sometimes known as retinyl palmitate—is a fat-soluble compound derived from retinol. It has several of the same characteristics of retinol, and as such, it is typically used for the same purposes in skincare (specifically, to help address age-related concerns like fine lines and wrinkles).
Strength and Timeframe
In general, retinoids are stronger than retinol. They contain a higher concentration of the product, and the molecular structure of vitamin A in this form allows it to turn over skin cells at a faster rate than retinol.
The gold standard for anti-aging, our corrective retinol serum boosts the skin's elasticity and encourages healthy cellular renewal to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and dullness.
Why it's special: It's formulated with 0.5% pro-retinol in the form of Retinyl Sunflowerate—an innovative hybrid of pure retinol and sunflower seed fatty acids that gives you the benefits of a retinoid with fewer of the usual downsides (irritation, dryness, peeling, etc…)
Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.
It's best to apply Vitamin C before Retinol, as Vitamin C has a lower pH than Retinol. Once your skin absorbs the Vitamin C serum, your skin will return to its regular pH levels after 30 minutes or so. (You want your skin to return to its normal pH levels so vitamin C doesn't lower the pH of retinol.)
More to love, it's easy to apply and absorbs quickly, leaving no residual tackiness. As advertised, this contains retinol. CeraVe doesn't reveal the amount included, but based on its positioning in the ingredient list, it's likely around 0.01%.
Also avoid retinol if you're going to be spending a lot of time in direct sunlight without proper sun protection. Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it's important to use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day — even when it looks cloudy.
Pro-Retinol Eye Treatment
Olay Pro-Retinol Eye Cream is our best anti-wrinkle eye cream technology with Pro-Retinol and Pentapeptides to smooth the look of even deep wrinkles. Its concentrated formula helps increase surface cell turnover, combating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Our anti-aging eye cream with Pro-Retinol, Vitamin C and Grape Seed Extract instantly smoothes and brightens. This formula helps reduce the appearance of under-eye lines and dark circles over time.
Generally, it takes a few weeks to see results, but some OTC options may require months of regular use. Most dermatologists said you'll need to use retinol for a few weeks before you see results, but you should see improvements by 12 weeks with most products.
It's no coincidence that you can use both retinol and retinoid products against aging. They're proven to promote cell turnover and stimulate collagen synthesis.
Norwalk, CT, dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, stresses these ingredients are great when they hit your skin solo, but a definite no-no when applied together. “A mixture of retinoids/retinols with alphahydroxy acids, like glycol, can lead to extreme irritation and redness.”
“The new generation of products release retinol slowly into the skin to minimize irritating effects, giving flexibility of use whenever it fits into your daily routine,” Zeichner said.
Use alone or under makeup once or twice per day. It may take your skin some time to get used to retinol, so plan to slowly work your way up to daily use.
Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.
Though it's perfectly fine to use vitamin C and retinol or retinoids in your skincare routine, each is better suited to a different time of day. Vitamin C is best used in the morning, while retinoids are better for your nighttime skincare routine.
It's perfectly safe and okay to use hyaluronic acid and retinol together. Using skin care products that contain these ingredients together shouldn't cause any interactions or side effects. Hyaluronic acid and retinol are one of the most popular skin care combinations.
No, it's not. It's just an adjustment process. For the record, no study proved that there's been any skin damage or signs of 'faster aging' caused solely by retinol.
Peeling, redness, and irritation are common onset reactions for some people when they first start to use retinol. Some reactions get so bad that the common term used to describe the list of effects has been dubbed the “retinol uglies”. Note from a skincare expert: Many things in life get worse before they get better.
Retinoids work best if you use them daily. Specifically, they should be used at night because some types are deactivated by light and air. It's important to start slowly and allow your skin time to adjust. Using too much too quickly can cause redness, dryness, and irritation.