Hello, beautiful people, welcome and welcome back to the behind the silk podcast, where we have curated conversations to help you take care of your skin and yourself. I am your host, Ericka Nicole, the founder of silken skincare.
And in today's episode, we're going to be talking about retinol. I feel like this is an ingredient that became mainstream trending like overnight, even though it's actually been around for a while. And if you're anything like me, you don't really know what retinol is or what it does. So that's what we're going to get into today. And by the end of this episode, we'll have an understanding of what retinol is, its rise to popularity, how it benefits the skin, potential side effects, and the best way to incorporate it into your skincare routine.
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So I've had a little bit more texture than usual these past couple of weeks, and let me be clear, skin texture is very normal. I just had a little bit more than what I was used to. So I ended up going to Ulta to scope out some new products to try that would help, and the girl Retinol Renewal Serum. But I had never used retinol before, and I didn't really know what it did. Plus, I'm super picky about the things I put on my skin, especially my face, so I had to go home and do some due diligence, and that's what brings us here today.
To kick things off, let's begin with the basics. What exactly is retinol?
Well, retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and it belongs to a group of compounds known as retinoids. It's an incredible ingredient that has been extensively studied for its positive effects on the skin. So, how did retinol become such a skin care must have? The rise of retinol in the beauty industry can be attributed to its effectiveness in addressing a wide range of skin concerns. It really gained popularity because of its ability to combat signs of aging, reduce acne, and improve overall skin texture.
And of course, the internet and social media platforms played a huge role in spreading the word about this magical skin care ingredient. Some of the trending retinol products we see in the market today are from brands such as The Ordinary, Drunk Elephant, Summer Fridays, SkinCeuticals, and Medica.
Now, let's dive into the exciting part. The amazing benefits retinol can offer your skin. For starters, retinol is renowned for its ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promoting smoother, youthful looking skin. It really is an anti aging super ingredient because it is a fat soluble vitamin in that vitamin A family. Secondly, it's a game changer for those dealing with acne. Retinol helps unclog pores, reduce breakouts, and fade acne scars. Interestingly enough, there's a popular misconception that retinol is an exfoliant. Retinol is not an exfoliant because it cannot break the bonds that hold dense skin cells to the skin's surface.
Retinol is an antioxidant. and an important skin restoring agent that can impact how skin cells mature. Next, retinol can also help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, giving your skin a more even tone. And lastly, it stimulates collagen production, making your skin firmer and more elastic.
Collagen is a protein that serves as one of the main building blocks for your bones, skin, hair, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Collagen is basically what keeps your skin from sagging, giving you that plump and hydrated look. It's important to keep in mind that while retinol offers some remarkable benefits, It's essential to be aware of potential side effects. Retinol can cause drying and flakiness, especially when you first start using it.Some users may experience redness, itching, or irritation, especially if used too frequently or in too high of a concentration. And retinol makes your skin more susceptible to sunburn, so using sunscreen is a must. when using retinol.
Now that we know the pros and cons, let's talk about the recommended application method for retinol.
How do we safely apply it to our skin?
Here are five guidelines to keep in mind.
Number one, start slowly. Retinol comes in different percentages, aka concentrations. So you're going to want to start with a very low concentration, like a 0. 2 percent or a 0. 3 percent concentration. Test it on your skin and then slowly increase the strength after you see how it interacts with your skin. Also, begin using it only twice a week or every other day to see how your skin reacts to it.
Number two, nighttime application. Retinol is best applied at night because it can make your skin super sensitive to the sun. And before you apply, make sure your skin is dry first. I know typically with skincare, it's recommended to apply on damp skin for maximum absorption. However, with retinol, if you apply it on damp skin it will get absorbed more deeply than it should, which can in turn cause irritation. This is also why you should apply your eye creams before retinol, because that area under the eye is very delicate and can get irritated if retinol gets too close to it.So when applying, you want to use a pea sized amount. You don't need a lot and you're going to start from your neck and you're going to go up in an upward outward motion. Like kind of massaging your face in an upward outward motion. Now do not, I repeat, do not use any facial tools like massagers, rollers, or guashas when applying. And do not combine retinol with any acids like AHAs, BHAs, exfoliants, and scrubs. This will just make the absorption of retinol even stronger, resulting in irritated or sensitive skin.
This brings me to my next point, number three. Moisturize. Make sure to apply moisturizer after retinol because it will hydrate the skin and combat dryness, reducing the risk of irritation. Remember, we apply skincare from light to heavy. Your retinol serum will have a thinner consistency than your moisturizer, which determines the application order. We can definitely dive deeper into the application order of skincare products in another episode, so send me a DM a @behindthesilkpod and let me know if that's something you'd be interested in.
Alright, number four. Use sunscreen. As I mentioned before, retinol makes your skin very sensitive to the sun, so always wear sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from UV damage.
And lastly, number 5. Patience is key. It may take several weeks to see significant results with retinol, so just be patient.
But if you follow these guidelines, you should definitely see results in 2-3 months.
Before we wrap up, here are a few [00:08:00] additional tips and considerations. If you're new to retinol or have specific skin concerns, it's a great idea to consult a dermatologist. Product compatibility is also very important, so be mindful of using retinol alongside other active ingredients like we spoke about before, such as AHAs or BHAs, as it can increase your skin sensitivity.
And ladies, if you are nursing or pregnant, You should avoid retinol for the time being or consult with your health care provider prior to use.
So let's recap. Retinol. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and it belongs to a group of compounds known as retinoids. Its main benefits are anti aging, fighting acne, evening skin tone, and boosting collagen production.
Potential side effects, however, include dryness and peeling, redness and irritation, and sun sensitivity. And when applying, you want to start slowly with a low concentration, apply at night time, make sure to moisturize afterwards, protect your skin from UV damage by using sunscreen, and be patient. Retinol can truly be a game changer for your skin, especially when used wisely and correctly.
But that is a wrap for today's episode. I hope you found this information helpful and that you now have a better understanding of what retinol is and how to use it. And I want to know, do you use retinol? Have you started incorporating it into your routine? Do you have plans to include it in your routine?Let me know.
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