Nowadays, having a flawless and youthful looking skin is an advantage. And to achieve that, it usually takes a range of beauty and skin care products.
One essential derivative of skin care is retinoids. And through the years, it has earned the reputation as “The Holy Grail of Skin Care” because of the amazing wonders that it does to your skin.
Want to learn more about this skin care wonder?
Read on as we bring you a comprehensive discussion about the modern world’s ‘fountain of youth’, retinoids.
What are Retinoids?
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that offer a range of benefits for skin care. You may already have heard of it many times, but did you know that it should not be mistaken as a skin care ingredient because it is actually a term that refers to a group of derivatives with chemical relation to vitamin A, including both Retin-A and retinol?
And not to be missed are the huge benefits that retinoids offer to help you in maintaining a youthful and flawless complexion, including:
- Acne control;
- Reduced oil production;
- Decrease redness;
- Boost collagen production;
- Improve complexion;
- Slow down skin ageing;
- …many more!
RETINOL AND RETIN-A: WHAT ARE THEY?
As Retinol and Retin-A have been mentioned as among the Vitamin A derivatives that are classified under retinoids, let’s take a look at the differences between these two.
RETINOL
Retinol is a natural product of the body and is considered as the gentler substance as compared to retinaldehyde and retinoic acid; this means that their effects occur are at a slower rate, but also with fewer side effects. It is recommended to use retinol for a few months before results become apparent.
Best For:
People with moderate breakouts and those with sensitive skin.
RETIN-A
Retin-A is a form of retinoic acid in a prescription-only cream form, as a tretinoin (another name for retinoic acid), it can be used for the skin without requiring breakdown by the enzymes. In estimate, it is 100x more powerful than an average over-the-counter retinol cream. It offers speedy results, however, due to its strength, side effects may be experienced in the form of itching, scaling, burning, peeling, and severe redness, especially on initial use.
Best For:
People with severe acne; also prescribed by dermatologists for intensive reduction of lines and to improve skin firmness.
The Many Benefits of Retinoids for Skin Care
Decades of research have proved that retinoid can reverse skin ageing. This derivative can erase the signs of skin ageing, smooth fine lines, lighten dark spots, and minimise pores.
But apart from turning around the ageing signs, retinoids are also known as a cure-all derivatives that are suited for problem skin. Below, we have summed up the wonders that retinoids can do.
RETINOIDS FOR ACNE
Apply it to the skin to treat moderate to severe acne. It has the capacity to unclog pores, minimise acne outbreaks , and reduce the formation of acne scars.
TIP: Redness, skin peeling and worsening of the acne may appear on initial use. To avoid this, apply it minimally or every other day until your body becomes immune to it.
RETINOIDS FOR WRINKLES
Retinoids can enhance the production of collagen, which is why Tretinoin, became the 1st retinoid that got the approval of the FDA for the treatment of wrinkles. Furthermore, retinoids stimulate new blood vessels in the skin which help in diminishing age spots.
TIP: Regular use of retinoids will show improvements in 3-6 months, while the best results will become visible on the 6th up to the 12th month.
PSA MIDNIGHT COURAGE Rosehip & Bakuchiol Retinol Night Oil
RETINOIDS FOR PSORIASIS
People suffering from psoriasis can benefit from retinoids use as it helps slow the growth of skin cells, a common problem in patients dealing with the condition.
TIP: In treating psoriasis, it is best combined with steroid treatment. Dab a small amount to each sore daily, before bedtime.
RETINOIDS FOR WARTS
Just like the way it works in treating psoriasis, retinoids can also work well in people with warts, especially when other treatments have already failed. Retinoid can disrupt the cell growth of warts, thus controlling the condition.
TIP: Retinoids are best in treating flat warts that are found on the back of your hands.
Leahlani Aqua A Retinoid Renewing Serum 30ml
12 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RETINOIDS USE
- Beware of its side effects, including skin dryness, irritation, changes in skin colour, and sun sensitivity.
- While using retinoids, limit your hours under the sun, especially between 10 am and 2 pm. It is also best to apply it at night to reduce photosensitivity.
- Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, as well as sun protective clothing to avoid adverse effects caused by sun exposure.
- Aside from sunscreen, use of a natural moisturiser is also recommended as it can reduce skin dryness without really affecting the results of retinoids use.
- Retinoids are not suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Do not layer retinoids with benzoyl peroxide and alpha hydroxy acids, as they deactivate them.
- Waxing and retinoids don’t go well together. Refrain from using retinoids for several days before undergoing a treatment to avoid excessive redness.
- Apply retinoids, according to your doctor’s instruction or based on product labels. Doing so will ensure that side effects of the product will not be enhanced.
- Slowly build up retinoids application. Experts recommend starting every 3rd day for the 1st two weeks, then every other day for a couple more week, before using it for daily use. The process is longer for people with fair skin and light coloured eyes.
- Flaking, skin breakouts, or mild irritation are not a cause for concern within the first few weeks or even months of using retinoids.
- Over-the-counter versions of retinoids come in the form of serums and creams. They are worth the try, but not as potent as prescription retinoids.
- Skin care products that contain at least 0.1% of retinol and with aluminium tube packaging are the most recommended OTC retinoids.
Have you tried using retinoids? Is there any other information that you think we should include here? Let us know by leaving a comment below.