Retinol Anti-Aging, Vitamin Enriched Night Cream & Day Cream - Your 24 HOUR skincare duo that works day and night to give you younger-looking skin

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When it comes to retinol, slow and steady truly wins the race. Zaborowski recommends starting with a retinol product one to two times per week, then working your way up to three to four times a week, and applying it at night. "When you apply it at night this allows your skin to repair itself overnight and avoids direct sun exposure which can cause increased irritation," she explains. Most importantly, don't skip out on SPF during the day. "Always wear SPF during the day and don't forget to reapply," Zaborowski warns. "Retinol, especially at the beginning, can make your skin more sensitive and likely to burn." Because retinol can be irritating for certain skin types, it’s best to consult a dermatologist about whether it’s the right treatment for you. You can also speak with them about what strength to start with and how often you should apply it prior to purchasing any retinol products. Since topical retinoids increase the skin cell turnover of the skin, they increase the glow and smoothness of the skin,” she says. “Moreover, topical retinoids can also help penetration of other active ingredients like topical lightening creams.”

Retinol remains very effective for its original purpose of acne treatment and, since it boosts skin renewal, it’s also good for healing acne-related scars. The Mayo Clinic also notes that retinol can be effective for the treatment of other kinds of skin damage, including sun damage. In what forms is retinol available? That may be because retinol works best when you use it sparingly, according to Dr. Chang. "Applying more at one time to your skin won’t give you faster results, it will just cause more irritation," she tells Allure. There are a few different ways to determine your skin type. To monitor how your skin performs during the day (whether it feels oily, looks shiny, flakes or feels tight, itchy, or irritated), do a wash test with a mild cleanser and see how your skin feels after 30 minutes. Or you can visit a dermatologist for an examination and consultation.

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, et al. (2017). Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) — final version of the opinion on vitamin A (retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate) in cosmetic products. Vitamin B3 and retinol work well together to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and the gentle formula is suitable for more sensitive skins or those new to retinol. Skin feels fresh and hydrated immediately after using and well into the next day, and the wrinkle-reducing effects are visible within 4-5 weeks. But this happens less frequently as you age, which can lead to a duller complexion. You might also begin to notice fine lines and wrinkles — these can appear at any age. Although it might sound like a stronger formula with a higher percentage of retinol would be more efficacious, that’s not always the case. “With retinol, we’re always balancing strength, efficacy, with the potential of retinol to irritate the skin,” explains Dr. Mikailov, “In terms of drugstore retinol, we find that retinol can be effective at multiple concentrations.” He says that “while retinol creams with higher concentrations (0.2 percent or more) worked faster, at the end of 6 months, retinol creams at various concentrations, including below 0.2 percent, also had great benefits.” Look for keywords like "gentle" and "non-irritating" on the label.

Zasada M, et al. (2019). Retinoids: Active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments.Those who have sensitive skin, or conditions such as eczema or rosacea, would be wise to do a patch test first, or speak to a dermatologist before adding retinol to your skincare routine. Retinol comes in strengths ranging from 0.0015% to 1% or higher. Many creams fall in the middle of this range, at around 0.1% to 0.3%. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety suggests that 0.3% is the maximum safe concentration for face or hand creams. A buildup of dead skin cells can leave your skin drier than you’d like. Removing those dead cells, with the help of retinol, can lead to more hydrated skin. Retinol can even strengthen the skin, helping protect it against further environmental damage. (Just keep in mind it can leave the top layer of skin thinner and more sensitive to sunlight, so you’ll want to apply sunscreen with extra vigilance.) The extras

When applying, first cleanse, tone, and exfoliate your face. (Only do all three of these steps if they’re included in your current skin care routine.)

What is retinol and what does it do for your skin?

Retinol is great ingredient to incorporate into your night-time skincare routine. A form of Vitamin A, Retinol helps to treat a number of skin issues, from pigmentation and brown spots to acne and fine lines. Restore radiance to your complexion with the range of Retinol skincare at LOOKFANTASTIC. So why is it so mystifying? Some people say retinol is the best thing that ever happened to them; others complain that it leaves their skin red and dry. Then there's the question of how to incorporate it into your skincare routine—you can't just slather it on willy-nilly or you could get burned, maybe even literally. Plus, with the hundreds of products on the market, how do you know which formula is right for you?