Moneycontrol News April 10, 2024

Skincare 101: Your guide to starting retinol

Retinol is one of the biggest buzzwords in skincare today – the holy grail for people who want blemish-free, youthful skin. 

A form of vitamin A, retinol is part of a group of compounds known as retinoid. It is known for stimulating collagen production, which combats signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines.

But incorporating retinol into your skincare routine can be tricky, thanks to retinol purge. A purge is the initial reaction of the skin to the introduction of retinol.

Retinol speeds up the rate at which your skin cells turnover, meaning it helps shed old, dead skin cells more rapidly. This may initially cause flakiness, dryness, and peeling.

To avoid this, start with a lower concentration of retinol and gradually increase the strength. Typically, your starting retinol strength should be between 0.25% to 1%.

Apply retinol at night, as it can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Make it a part of your night-time skincare routine.

Sunscreen is a must when you are using retinol. Apply sunscreen during the day as retinol can make your skin more susceptible to sunburn.

Make sure to apply your retinol serum on dry skin. retinol on damp skin may increase the likelihood of irritation.