Retinol Serum: How to Use, Benefits, Precaution & Side Effects

What Is Retinol? Retinol Serum Benefits And Side Effects

Retinol Serum is the newest member of the skincare superheroes, along with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Skincare specialists are vouching for this super-powerful ingredient that is supposed to overturn time – we mean to reverse the signs of aging, iron-out wrinkles, and reduce pigmentation.

Retinol serums come with so many buzzwords that we thought it was time we took a closer look at this wonder ingredient to see if it is the wonder-drug people claim it to be. So we had a sit-down with several dermatologists to make sure we got to the bottom of this highly-regarded ingredient.

So, we are going to cover these topics in this article –

What exactly is retinol?
What Does Science Say about Retinols? – Is it worth the hype?
Is there any difference between retinol and retinoid?
How does Retinol serum work?
What are the main benefits of Retinol serum?
What are the precautions and side effects of Retinol serum?

Let’s get started.

What is Retinol?

A Vitamin A derivative helps collagen production, cell regeneration, and cell turnover. It belongs to the fat-soluble vitamin group commonly found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and eggs.

Retinol is an entirely synthetic derivative of Vitamin A. When applied to the skin’s epidermis or outermost layer, it is slowly converted into retinoic acid by the enzymes present in the skin.

Retinol offers a slew of benefits to users. It helps smoothen out wrinkles and fine lines, prevents the new ones from forming, enhances skin’s natural glow, works best for treating acne by regulating water-oil production, and minimizes dark spots and scars. Sounds too good to be true? It might just be the truth. So let’s check what science has to say about retinol.

What Does Science Say about Retinols? – Is it worth the hype?

First, retinol, although touted as the latest magic formula for skin, has been around for more than a few decades. It is a tested formula that has delivered exceptional results for users worldwide. It was considered the ‘gold standard’ by dermatologists looking to treat acne and scars.

Tretinoin was the first retinoid, in 1971, to be used for the treatment of acne and other skin infections. It was also effective for fading out hyperpigmentation spots and irons out wrinkles.

To know how retinol face serum helps, you should know a little about your skin. Till we hit our 30s, our skin cells will regenerate and create a fresh layer of new, clean and untouched skin every 28 days. So, every month, we get a new layer of unblemished skin.

However, by the time we are in the mid-30s, our skin doesn’t regenerate just as quickly as earlier. Instead, the skin regeneration process slows down dramatically, taking anywhere between 50 to 70 days for the turnover to occur. It eventually makes our skin look dull, lifeless, and aged.

It is where retinol comes to the rescue. Science says that retinol has properties that allow it to go deep into the epidermal layer and marginally to the dermis layer. As a result, the topical application of retinol boosts cell turnover and improves cell-regrowth factors.

Is there any difference between retinol and retinoid?

Retinols and retinoids aren’t the same, nor are they completely different. Both are synthetic chemical derivatives of Vitamin A, and both help boost collagen production and cell-regeneration and treat acne.

The term retinoid is used more like a blanket term covering both prescription medicine and over-the-counter medication. Retinoids come in three types – Retinol, Retinyl palmitate, and Retinaldehyde. Retinoids are more powerful medications that usually require a prescription. Retinols, on the other hand, are considered weaker and given as a cosmeceutical solution.

Retinol has cell-regeneration properties, which allows it to boost cell production significantly. In addition, it comes loaded with exfoliating qualities that help it remove accumulated dead cells from clogged pores and encourage the growth of new cells. As a result, it helps in reducing wrinkles, age lines, and sagging.

Our skin loses elasticity and suppleness as we age. When the skin loses some of its elasticity, you’ll see an increase in fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. By encouraging collagen production, retinol serum irons out wrinkles and helps restructure the skin.

Retinols serums change the cell-regeneration speed and turnover rate. Since as we age, our skin cells start regenerating slowly. With regular retinol serums, the cell build-up on the top layer becomes more active. As a result, even the natural decline in collagen is stabilized, making our skin more supple, wrinkle-free, and youthful.

What are the main benefits of Retinol serum?

1. Retinol serums help reverse signs of aging

Being a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A makes retinol serum an excellent elixir that reverses the signs – wrinkles, fine lines, and skin sagging – due to aging. By boosting the epidermal layer, preventing transepidermal water loss, and promoting collagen production, retinol helps tackle wrinkles and fine lines.

Retinol serums also stimulate the production of collagen fibers which help enhance skin’s elasticity and firmness. By enhancing cellular turnover and elastic production, retinol serum for face is undoubtedly the best anti-aging solution out there.

2. Retinol is a highly valued treatment for acne

Initially touted as the ‘best acne solution,’ retinol soon became a go-to product for various skin conditions. Retinol boosts cell proliferation and reduces oil production and clogging in pores. In addition, it reduces skin inflammation, thereby reducing acne and hair follicle infections.

3. Retinol helps even out pigmented skin

Retinol serums are highly celebrated potions among dermatologists as they help tackle hyperpigmented skin and dark spots. This serum helps in reducing skin discoloration, enhances even distribution of melanin, and reduces skin pigmentation by nearly 60%.

When applied topically, retinol serums influence the functioning of melanocytes, melanin transportation to the outer epidermal layers.

4. Retinol serum Neutralizes free radicals

Retinol serums are highly beneficial in reversing the damage caused by environmental stresses and sun exposure. Free radicals are unstable molecules that get stimulated due to UV exposure and environmental stresses.

Since retinol is a potent antioxidant, it prevents free radicals from binding and damaging healthy cells. Moreover, free radicals also break down the skin’s structural protein, causing wrinkles, uneven texture, and tone.

5. Retinol Serums are one of the best exfoliants out there

Retinol serum exfoliates the skin from the cellular level as it is one of the best exfoliants out there on the market. The topical application of retinol serum goes deep into the skin’s layers, clears it out of dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and removes accumulated dirt and grime.

It essentially clears the skin from the inside, making it shine brighter on the outside. It also thins out the epithelial skin layer, which helps improve and even out the skin tone.

By going deep into the cells, retinol serum improves the water-oil balance and water retention. By controlling the amount of sebum secretion, retinol helps reduce the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

What are the precautions and side effects of Retinol serum?

Sometimes, retinol, a highly potent ingredient, can damage your skin, especially if you are using it for the first time or incorporated too quickly into your skincare regime.

When you add retinol for the first time into your skincare process, you might notice new breakouts, acne, and flakiness. However, these side effects typically last a few days before easing out.

Retinol serums come in various strengths, and their potency depends on the type of retinol serum you purchase. The best way to deal with a skin flare-up after initial usage is to include low-potency retinol-based serums. Then, use it on alternate days and slowly increase the frequency.

Start by using the serum once a week, gradually work it a couple of times a week, etc. Moreover, using it with other hydrating serums such as Bodytales Hyaluronic Acid Serum helps mitigate the harsh effects of retinol quickly.

Remember that retinol interacts with the sun, and any exposure increases irritation and skin sensitivity. So always make sure to use sunscreen to protect yourself when using retinol serums – even in winters.

The downsides to using retinol serums don’t last very long – typically ranging from a couple of weeks to a month. And, it is not a magic drug that can completely turn back the effects of time on your skin. It does help massively, but it takes time. So, you must be patient and consistent while using any retinol serum.

Any serum is best applied to freshly cleansed skin. Make sure you apply the retinol serum as directed and allow it to be completely absorbed by your skin. We recommend using skin cell regeneration serums to be used preferably at night.

Some types of retinoids are strictly not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Selecting the right retinol serum is highly important when you want the best results. Although several retinol-based serums are flooding the market, caution must be taken when selecting the one for you. We suggest Bodytales Age-Defying Retinol Serum that works wonders for your skin. Try it, and with time, you can reverse the effects of time on your skin.

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