Can retinol damage your skin? If you use retinol, you'll sunburn more easily, which can damage your skin. Using high doses of retinol may also be associated with the development of skin cancer. Be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight (with clothing and hats) while you use retinol products.
It's a common misconception that retinol can thin or damage your skin. In reality, over time, retinol can help thicken the skin (which is one of the reasons it's such a great anti-aging ingredient). It can also help strengthen the skin's natural moisture barrier, which is essential for healthy-looking skin.
The EU is restricting retinol concentrations in products to 0.3% or below, primarily due to concerns that the combined intake from various sources could exceed recommended limits and pose health risks. This is essentially a ban on concentrations of retinol over 0.3%.
With repeated use, retinol products begin to thin out your skin and will eventually make you more susceptible to UVA rays. If you're not wearing adequate SPF all the time, with passing years you'll have more melasma, more discoloration... Plus, they can be way too harsh on the skin, even if you don't feel the redness.
Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side ...
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.
It may take a week or more for your skin to return to normal after discontinuing the use of retinol.
Bakuchiol extract comes from the Babchi plant, known for its purple blossoms and its use in Chinese and Indian medicine. The extract can be found in daily moisturizers, serums and creams. “Bakuchiol is often used as a gentler alternative to retinol.
Because retinoids can be very irritating to the skin if not used properly. The higher the strength, the more skin irritation (redness and peeling), the lower the strength, the less skin irritation.
SkinCeuticals' Triple Lipid Restore is our top pick because it absorbs well and promises deep hydration while providing skin a youthful glow. Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream is a close second because it can moisturize and plump skin intensely. Aging is a beautiful thing, but change isn't always easy.
One of the lesser known side effects of retinol is its ability to disrupt testosterone and progesterone levels, which can trigger a host of other problems beyond a compromised complexion.
But, retinol can actually be helpful for most people. “We can typically get most of our patients using a retinol, even those who are sensitive, but it takes time and patience to begin using retinols correctly—the exception here is patients with severe rosacea or extremely sensitive skin,” Bialas said.
Bakuchiol
With the rise and popularity of clean skincare, Bakuchiol has become a go to for many of my patients looking for a retinol alternative. It functions similarly to retinol by stimulating collagen production and promoting cell turnover but without the associated irritation.
Often called nature's retinol, bakuchiol is the most well-known of the natural retinol alternatives. Extracted from the seeds of the babchi plant, bakuchiol (pronounced 'back-oo-chiol' after the Sanskrit name for the babchi plant) is one of the hottest ingredients in the natural beauty industry today.
Best anti-aging serum overall
Medik8's Crystal Retinal Serum's hero ingredient is retinaldehyde, which fights wrinkles and fine lines quicker than other commonly used retinols, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick.
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.
This rapid cell turnover helps to treat acne, hyperpigmentation and aging, but it can also lead to flaking, since your skin is shedding dead cells faster than it is used to, causing some cells to build up or peel from the surface.
Wearing Retinol During the Summer Months
However, according to Rita Nandi of The Bloom Clinic, it's OK to use retinol year-round—with a couple of precautions, including the time of day it's applied, the concentration, and the amount of sun exposure.
Indeed, retinol is excellent for treating acne and imperfections, while hyaluronic acid is ideal for dehydrated skin. And it is also possible to combine them in your beauty routine to benefit from their full effectiveness. This moisturizing cream, to be used daily, has many advantages!
Choosing between peptides and retinol depends on your skincare goals, skin type, and tolerance. If you have sensitive skin or are looking for a more gradual approach, peptides might be the better choice. On the other hand, if you're seeking faster and more dramatic results, retinol could be your go-to option.