How Does Retinol Affect Our Skin? Know Its Uses, Benefits, Tips, and Side Effects
When it comes to following the best skincare routine, one of the key products that comes to mind is retinol. Also known as Vitamin A, retinol is one of the most active ingredients that are incorporated into various skincare products for getting rid of acne breakouts, aging signs, and enhancing the overall skin texture.
You often find multiple skincare products with various formulations and ingredients offering solutions to various skin-related issues. But whether you are a teenager or an adult, using retinol cream or any other product with the same ingredient can provide more benefits to your skin than you can imagine.
So, if you are considering using any kind of retinol-based products to enhance your skin tone, there are a few things you need to know to avoid any possible negative effects. In this blog, we will explore retinol’s benefits, its uses, tips, and most importantly, probable side effects.
What Is Retinol?
Retinol, also known as vitamin A, is one of the ingredients that can be naturally found in the human body and the food we consume. However, it needs to be converted into its active form, retinoic acid, to exert its positive effects on our skin.
Retinol affects the skin in various ways, such as exfoliating the skin by unclogging the clogged pores, and generating new cells by replacing the old and dead ones. By boosting collagen production, it can also contribute a lot to reducing acne scars, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Benefits of Using Retinol-based Products
Retinol products are used to improve the overall skin appearance. It starts to work on the skin immediately after application, but you may notice the improvement after a few weeks. Now the question is, what skin problems can retinol help to address, and what are the benefits of using retinol-based products on the skin? Find that out below!
1. One of the Best Solutions to Treat Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin problems we face. The dead skin cells, excessive sebum production, blackheads, and whiteheads often block the pores, resulting in the formation of acne. However, incorporating the best retinol serum or any other retinol-based product into a regular skincare routine can help to get rid of the acne or prevent further breakouts.
Although you may see pimples after starting to use retinol-based products, it is advisable to continue your regular skincare routine to get the desired result.
2. Helps to Prevent Dark Spots
Dark spots or hyperpigmentation are another common problem people face. Regardless of age, dark spots or pigmentation remain a persistent skin concern for many individuals. It refers to the dark brown spots on the face, skin, neck, and arms that develop due to sun damage. As a result, people often feel insecure or underconfident while talking to others, which can further damage various areas of their lives. So, getting rid of such spots is essential for a constructive life, and proper skincare with a retinol-based product can help you with that.
According to some people, although it takes several months to show a positive result, topical retinol lightens the skin spots. All you need to do is incorporate any retinol-based product suitable for your skin type into your daily skincare routine and use it properly.
3. Slows down the Kaposi sarcoma Cells’ Growth
Kaposi sarcoma refers to a rare type of cancer affecting people with a weak immune system. Individuals suffering from Kaposi sarcoma often develop various dark-colored patches, such as black, pink, purple, and red, which might look flat or a little bumpy. However, Alitretinoin, a type of retinoid, is responsible for slowing down the Kaposi sarcoma cells’ growth.
4. Helps to Cure Acne Scars
Apart from preventing acne formation on the skin, retinol can also work wonders on the acne scars resulting from inflammation or injury. Acne scars are one of the common factors responsible for making people question their appearance, which further instigates their insecurity. These stubborn scars take time (sometimes several weeks) to heal. But you can reduce the inflammation or swelling that causes acne breakouts by incorporating a retinol-based product into your regular skincare routine. Nonetheless, it is advisable to take a certified dermatologist’s advice before applying any retinol serum or cream for reducing acne.
5. Works As Magic for Those Suffering from Melasma
Melasma is a common skin condition that refers to the blue or gray patches on the human body. This common yet harmless skin condition happens because of the overproduction of the cells responsible for making the skin color. Another reason for melasma is extreme sun exposure. The heat or sun ray often increases the melanin production in the body, resulting in the formation of patches similar to freckles. While there are various products that you can use to get rid of melasma, the topical use of retinol can also help you solve the problem. However, if you are pregnant, consult with a certified dermatologist before using any retinol-based products, as they can affect your skin negatively.
Side Effects of Applying Retinol to Your Skin
Retinol, even though approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), is not free from side effects. Apart from experiencing skin redness and itchiness, you may have dry and irritated skin even after using the best retinol serum. While these are some of the most common and harmless side effects, some individuals can also experience blistering, swelling, acne flare-ups, eczema, and skin discoloration.
You can consider applying any retinol-based product every third night or consult a certified dermatologist to have a clear idea about its usage.
Precautions You Need to Take While Using Any Retinol-based Product
Following some precautionary methods while applying any retinol-based products, such as creams and serums, is very important. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sun exposure may exacerbate the skin-irritating effect of retinol. So, it is advisable to apply a suitable sunscreen before going out with a retinol-based product on the skin.
Individuals suffering from eczema and rosacea can also become easy targets of the possible side effects resulting from the use of any retinol-based products. You can talk to your doctor in case you have suffered from any of these problems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Using a Retinol-based Cream
Retinol is often considered an amazing ingredient in the skincare world because of its ability to cure various skin problems, such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles, and improve the overall skin texture. However, you can experience several side effects if you do not use it properly. So, here are some of the common mistakes you need to avoid while using retinol-based products.
1. Overapplication of Retinol-based Products
One of the biggest mistakes individuals make while starting to use any retinol-based product is overapplication. Retinol’s benefits are only visible when you use it properly, which means using too much too quickly can harm the skin, resulting in redness, skin peeling, and irritation.
So, start with a lower concentration, and use it twice or thrice in a week for the best result. But if you experience any skin problems, consult a certified dermatologist and get yourself checked once.
2. Avoid Skipping Sunscreen
Retinol can have multiple benefits on the skin, but it does not provide sun protection. On the contrary, the application of retinol-based products can make the skin sensitive by thinning the top layer of the skin, which makes it more prone to sunburn. So, you should consider applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen when you go outside, and reapply the same every two hours.
3. Expecting Instant Results
People often conceive the unrealistic notion that they would be able to see the instant results immediately after applying any skincare product. As a result, they often stop using the product on their skin when they do not see an immediate effect. The same thing happens with retinol as well.
So, it is advisable to be patient. You can see improvements on your skin between 4 and 6 weeks of using retinol-based products. However, if you want to get rid of wrinkles, it may take 2 to 3 months.
Retinol, being one of the star ingredients of the skincare world, has huge popularity because of its multiple benefits. Nevertheless, you need to be smart enough before choosing the right product containing this ingredient. Once you have a clear idea about this, you can go ahead and start using it.