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Retinol is one of those skincare ingredients you might read about once you start researching about taking your regimen to the next level—a.k.a. incorporating actives in between your usual routine of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
However, with just how many caveats there seem to be when you do decide to add it to your routine—like only using it on certain days and having increased sun sensitivity—you might be put off by using it altogether. Today, though, we're here to shed some light on this seemingly intimidating skincare ingredient and give you the 411 on what exactly it can do for your skin. (Spoiler: A whole lot of good things...when used correctly, that is).
Ahead, we'll walk you through what TF is retinol exactly, its benefits for the skin, as well as its potential side effects. And of course, because we're Cosmo, we'll also be adding a shopping list at the end to help you get started on your clear skin journey. Keep on scrolling to learn more:
OK, but first, what is retinol?
You might find that skincare ingredients often have alternative names, like how niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 or how vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid. This is the case for retinol as well—don't be intimidated by the name, as it's just another name for vitamin A!
It's basically an MVP in the skincare world, known for its ability to boost cell turnover and collagen production—all the things you need for acne-free, plump, and healthy-looking skin.
What are the benefits of using retinol?
1. It banishes breakouts.
Retinol is one of the best skincare ingredients you can use if you have acne-prone skin, as it helps in regulating sebum production and soothing inflammation and redness.
2. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
One of retinol's main jobs is stimulating collagen production, which, in turn, helps with smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
3. It evens out your skin tone.
If you're dealing with dark spots or hyperpigmentation caused by acne breakouts, you can count on retinol to even out your skin tone by boosting your skin's cell turnover rate.
4. It minimizes the appearance of pores.
While pores aren't something we can really get rid of—in a perfect world, maybe—retinol can help with minimizing their appearance. By regulating sebum production, clogged pores will be a thing of the past, which will make your pores look less noticeable.
What are the potential side effects of using retinol?
While retinol can do a lot of amazing things for your skin—see list above—it also has some potential side effects worth taking note of. The first thing to remember is that it can definitely irritate your skin, especially if it's your first time using it. You might experience redness, irritation, and peeling, but don't worry—this will subside as your skin gradually gets used to the new ingredient.
Using retinol can also increase your skin's sun sensitivity, which is why dermatologists highly recommend loading up on sunscreen during the daytime and only using retinol in your nighttime skincare routine.
So, how do I incorporate retinol into my skincare routine?
We cannot stress this enough: Don't go straight for the strongest formula right away. Retinol comes in different concentrations, but dermatologists recommend starting out with 0.3% (or even 0.1% if you have v sensitive skin). Once you've decided on the right one for you, make sure to only apply it at night and load up on SPF in the morning, as it breaks down in the sunlight and makes you more prone to sun damage.
Pro tip: If you have a sensitive skin type, it also might be worth trying out the retinol sandwich method to lessen the chances of redness and irritation. (Read our guide about it here!)
READ MORE: OK, What The Heck Is A 'Retinol Sandwich' And Should You Really Try It?
SHOP: The best retinol serums to try
1. Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream
Formulated with 0.1% retinol, this cream from Good Molecules is a good starter product if you're interested in trying out the buzzy skincare ingredient without breaking the bank. It's also infused with soothing ingredients like glycerin, grapeseed oil, and sunflower seed oil to lessen irritation.
Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream, P520, Shopee and Lazada
2. COSRX The Retinol 0.1%
Aside from its anti-aging benefits, this retinol cream from cult-favorite K-beauty brand COSRX promises to smoothen dull and dry-looking skin and brighten dark marks left behind by breakouts.
COSRX The Retinol 0.1%, P989, Shopee and Lazada
3. Happy Skin Bakuchiol + Retinol Milky Serum
Retinol can be irritating AF to use, especially if you're a beginner, but Happy Skin's iteration of retinol contains eight (!) kinds of hyaluronic acid to help lessen the chances of irritation. Its potent formula also includes bakuchiol (which is retinol's gentle sister) and niacinamide which aids in tackling dark spots, refining skin texture, and improving your skin's radiance.
Happy Skin Bakuchiol + Retinol Milky Serum, P1,299, Shopee and Lazada
4. Olay Retinol 24 Anti Aging Serum
If anti-aging is one of your main concerns, we suggest picking up a bottle of Olay's retinol serum rn. It contains their proprietary blend of niacinamide + retinol complex that's able to penetrate deep into the skin's surface layers and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots in a month.
Olay Retinol 24 Anti Aging Serum, P1,428, Shopee and Lazada
5. Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule
This ampoule from Innisfree boasts a formula that's safe to use for people with sensitive skin, thanks to the inclusion of ceramide, Jeju hyaluronic acid, and centella asiatica. It's a win for Team Sensitive AF skin!
Innisfree Retinol Cica Repair Ampoule, P2,520, Shopee and Lazada
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