Retinol In depth
Today, let’s learn all about this magical ingredient named retinol that you NEED in your skincare routine. It’s available over the counter too!
What is Retinol and What does it do?
Retinol is an over-the-counter form of Vitamin A known to smooth fine lines and wrinkles as well as help unclog your pores. It is under the family name of retinoids and is usually the most common ingredient found in over -the- counter skin care products, promising results. It contains exfoliating properties which help remove the darker cells (hyperpigmentation from sun damage) to allow the lighter skin underneath to be seen. By doing this, retinol encourages skin cell renewal, increases collagen and thickens skins which helps to deliver a fresher, plumper appearance!
How long does retinol take to work?
The good news is that it begins working immediately. However, it will probably take 3 weeks for you to notice a small difference in your skin/texture, and really it will take 3 to 6 to 12 months of regular use before you notice a difference in elasticity, wrinkles and collagen production.
Why does it take so long?
Because it’s not a super strong retinoid like a prescription strength. It is gentler on your skin because your skin’s enzymes need to convert retinol into retinoic acid. This can take some time, depending on how your individual skin processes this.
The bad news is that your skin may look worse before it gets better. Basically, think of your skin as purging all of the yucky stuff. So, you might see more breakouts in the beginning. But hang in there, your skin is just adjusting to the ingredient as it is unclogging those pores.
How to use:
Cleanse your face with your cleanser (we suggest a gel cleanser if you have oily skin and a cream cleanser if you have dry skin). Please do not scrub your skin when washing your face. Be gentle.
Pat your skin completely dry.
When applying retinol, please avoid your eyes, mouth, and corners of nose and apply a pea sized, thin layer to your completely dry face.
Our Favorite Gel Cleansers
Our Favorite Cream Cleanser
Our Favorite Cleansing Balms
Alternate nights when using acids and LED devices
Separate Vitamin C – meaning use Vitamin C in morning and Retinol at night
Retinol Mixture: If your skin is sensitive and dry, you can add a moisturizer to help buffer the effects. Apply the moisturizer first. Then apply your retinol on top of the moisturizer. This will help to prevent the itchy, red skin, peeling side effects.
Remember to go slow, everyone’s skin is different. If your skin is more sensitive, then begin applying it once or twice a week, then, build up as your skin will allow. Take your time.
Build up to be able to apply every other night for 3 weeks or until skin adjusts. Then you can begin to apply every night.
If you are tired of doing your skincare and not seeing results, then welcome to lapree beauty skincare! As a licensed esthetician and spa owner, I transform women’s skin through my daily skincare routines. Using proper application, skincare techniques, and tools CAN CHANGE YOUR SKIN!
My thousands upon thousands of skincare clients are the ones who inspired me to create my lapree beauty skincare – so every person, near or far, can have access to my skincare protocols, day or night (or before an important meeting, special event, business lunch, girls night out, or date or even just because it’s Wednesday!)
If you join now, you get:
💗 The membership for $9.99: START your FREE TRIAL HERE
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Join other women who love skincare and get access to this library of information too! I continuously add more and more content to help support your skincare needs each and every week!
Want to learn more about retinol? I have a RETINOL AND SKIN SCRUBBER video that I personally created, along with an in-depth skin school article all about retinoids and all their types! I invite you to check out my lapree beauty membership Free trial here!
xxx~ Lindsey
3 Surprising Ingredients you didn’t Know
When deciding what retinol products to use, notice where the ingredient retinol is on the list.
Important note * If you don’t see the word “retinol” in the ingredient list you may see one of these names instead. This is where clever marketing comes into play! They will claim the product as a retinol treatment but really this is not the same thing. These names are a very light form of retinoids*
Basically, these are the cheaper versions and will not be as effective as retinol or the prescription strengths.
Retinyl palmitate –
Retinyl Acetate –
Retinyl Linoleate –
The above retinoids tend to offer more long-term stability in skincare products, don’t break down as fast in light, and are easier to formulate than retinol. Which is why companies like to use the above cheaper versions in their products versus the ingredient retinol.
If the ingredient is listed at the beginning of the ingredient list then there is more of it in the product. If it’s listed last, well then forget it – you aren’t going to see any real results in our opinion.
Bottom line – make sure you see the word “retinol” in the ingredient list if you want results. If you want even more results due to deep lines and wrinkles, then use a prescription strength explained in the article, Types of Retinoids inside my lapree beauty skincare.
Our Favorite Retinol Products – linked here
Sunscreen is a MUST
This powerful ingredient makes your skin very sensitive to sunlight so if you can’t avoid the sun make sure you are wearing sunscreen with at least spf 30 and reapply every 2 hours if out in the sun. Also, when outdoors we recommend also wearing a hat as that can provide even more protection. You can look in our online skincare store for our favorite sunscreen products.
Avoid Retinol if
You are Pregnant
Breastfeeding
Trying to Conceive
~ Lindsey
With over 13 years of experience as both a licensed esthetician and owner of my own spa