When Should You Start Using Retinol?

It’s Time to Try This Ingredient!

Retinol is one of those skincare ingredients that seems to be so mysterious and scary. We don't know why! Once you figure out the right retinol routine for your skin, this magical ingredient can totally transform your skin for the better. But without exactly knowing how and why retinol can improve your skin, chances are you have no idea when to start introducing it into your skincare routine. While there is no one answer that works for every person, there are a few general rules you can use as a guide. Because after all, everyone’s skin is different!

So we're here to shed some light on exactly when you should start using retinol in your skincare regimen.

What is Retinol?

It is a derivative of Vitamin A, and is known for its ability to reduce wrinkles and fine lines by increasing the production of collagen. As well as this, retinol can help fade dark spots, smooth the skin and heal breakouts. Is there anything it can't do? Because of all these amazing properties, retinol is mostly discussed as an amazing preventative skincare ingredient for those concerned with the signs of ageing. And because it's preventative, it totally makes sense that we should start using it before any major wrinkles start to pop up.

Which Should I Choose?

General advice from skincare experts and dermatologists says that your 20s are a great time to start building a preventative skincare routine, including using retinol. Starting out with gentler retinol such as the Alpha-H Vitamin A Serum is a great way to slowly build up your skin's tolerance and means you can work towards using more high-strength retinol in the future. To start building up your anti-ageing regimen, the Aspect Retinol Brulee and the Murad Retinol Youth Serum are a great place to start. So when you think you're ready to take the leap into the world of retinol, make sure your skin is prepped and ready. If your skin barrier is already damaged, definitely avoid using it until you've repaired your skin first. Trust us, your skin will thank you later.

Watch out Acne!

But it isn't just for those wanting to turn back the clock, your acne can benefit from it too! Teenage acne (and adult acne) can be super frustrating to deal with. So if benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid just aren't cutting it on their own, retinol could be the product you've been searching for. For teens wanting to start using retinol to calm their acne, the Dermalogica Retinol Clearing Oil contains retinol and salicylic acid to say bye-bye to future breakouts. But be sure to check with your doctor if you've been given any prescription acne treatments, as they may not mix great with over the counter retinol.

It doesn't matter why you've started to use a retinol, wearing sunscreen every single day is a must! Your skin will become extra sensitive to sunlight when using any product with retinol, increasing the chance of sun damage. To protect your skin from UV rays, by using a mineral sunscreen such as Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Mineral Matt Antiaging Fluid SPF50+ or a physical sunscreen like the Medik8 Physical Sunscreen SPF50+, depending on your skin's needs. The irony is, using this ingredient without sunscreen can actually make your skin worse and not better in the long run.

While retinol can seem kind of intimidating, there's no reason why you shouldn't start using one when you and your skin are ready! Start off by deciding exactly what you want to achieve from using retinol and find the right product. Once you've slowly introduced your new vitamin A superstar, you'll be using it like a pro in no time.