Is Encapsulated Retinol Better Than Traditional Retinol? Encapsulated retinol isn't necessarily any more potent than retinol that's not encapsulated; however, since it has higher stability and penetration potential, both Koestline and Dr. Hartman say it's the best option.
Retinol is a very effective skincare ingredient for reducing signs of aging (like fine lines), evening out tone, brightening dark spots and post-acne marks, and reforming texture. The benefits of encapsulated retinol are no different; you'll get the same results, sans the typical side effects.
Those with stubborn skin concerns, like deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone may want to consider a high percentage retinol cream, serum or treatment. But what percentage of retinol is effective? Look for formulations with a percentage between 0.3% and 1%, with retinol 1% being the strongest option.
Retinoic Acid. As mentioned earlier, retinoic acid is the most potent form of retinoids. “This is the end point molecule that is biologically active on skin, and is therefore the strongest,” says Dr. Rabach.
Encapsulated delivery systems promotes cell turnover – which reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin complexion, enhances radiance and provides an overall healthier appearance to skin. Also, by drip-feeding retinol into the skin, you minimise the risk of irritation and inflammation.
Some products claim to be retinol 2.5% or retinol 1% or retinol 3%, however most of these products are not formulated correctly and therefore are actually not very potent. We recommend sticking with 0.025%- 0.1% retinol products and avoiding retinal or retinyl palmitate containing products.
Tretinoin is considered to be the most widely used prescription retinoid treatment for wrinkles. It comes in the form of a gel. During use, you must wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin from sunburn and photoaging.
Our top choice, CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol, comes recommended by dermatologists thanks to its blend of powerful retinol and skin-soothing ingredients. We also liked Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+, a high-strength retinol with a smooth, fast-absorbing application.
A 0.5-percent concentration is a good baseline.
For beginners, most dermatologists recommend a retinol with a concentration of 0.25 percent to one percent to see results. If your skin is not sensitive, you can usually tolerate something right in the middle; Dr.
If you're using retinol to reduce wrinkles, the process can be lengthy. A review of retinoids indicates that most individuals see a significant decrease in wrinkles after about three months of use.
He recommends starting with no more than every other day for the first 2 weeks. If, after the first 2 weeks, you don't see any side effects, he says you may want to move up to “2 nights on, and 1 night off.” After a month or so with no side effects, you can likely use it every day if you want.
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Houshmand recommends RoC's Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, which is one of the highest-strength retinol you can get over the counter, meaning you may see its resurfacing effects sooner than with other products.
RETINOIC ACID (TRETINOIN)
Remember: Retinoic acid is the purest form of retinol. Since it doesn't need to be converted, it gets to work right away. That also means it can be harsh, drying, and irritating for most skin types. Because of this, it requires a prescription known as Retin-A or Retirides for the UK.
There's no problem with using both retinol and vitamin C as part of your skincare routine, dermatologists say. In fact, Shirazi calls this combo a "power couple" when it comes to aging well.
The Ordinary's Granactive Retinoid* 2% Emulsion ($9.80) is a retinoid active, part of the family of age-defiers that helps reduce wrinkles. While retinoids (a.k.a. a vitamin A derivatives) often get a bad rep for being irritating, The Ordinary's formula is designed to make the serum gentle while still being effective.
You can typically buy medical-grade retinols at a dermatologist's office or online, but they don't require a prescription. They contain the same active ingredients as drugstore products, but may be higher in concentration and have clinical studies to back up their effectiveness.
The good news is that it is never too late to start incorporating retinol into your skin care routine. People in the 60s and beyond have begun using retinol and still experienced results.
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.
As for the claim that a cream or lotion can lift sagging skin, dermatologists say that's not possible. A cream or lotion cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to do this. Still, you may see a small change if a product contains a retinoid, such as retinol, which can help your body make more collagen.
Retinol can be very irritating if used too frequently or in a strongly concentrated formula. The Ordinary suggest starting your retinol regimen with their 0,2% concentration and gradually move onto 0,5% and 1% to give your skin the chance to build tolerance.
“Encapsulated retinol is a technology that allows the active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin layer before being activated. It can be thought of as a time-release technology because it prolongs the time between the product hitting your skin and when it starts working,” explains Dr. Paviol.
1. SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream. Formulated with the highest concentration of 1.0% pure retinol and botanical extracts, this cream is enhanced with the latest stabilization and delivery technologies to preserve retinol potency and ensure maximum efficacy and stability.