Retinol: The Low Down

Retinol is a powerful addition to your nightly skincare routine.

From your late 20's onwards, this is a key item to add to your routine to help keep your skin youthful and refreshed.

It is a derivative of Vitamin A. In skincare, retinol is known for its ability to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promote collagen production. It works by penetrating the skin and interacting with specific receptors, ultimately promoting cell turnover and stimulating the production of new skin cells.

It can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and overall skin texture. However,  it is important to use it properly to avoid irritation and maximise the benefits. 

Here are a few tips on how to use retinol:

1. Start Slowly: If you're new to retinol, start by using it only a few times a week to allow your skin to adjust. Over time, you can increase the frequency as tolerated.

2. Apply at Night: Retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so only use it at night. Apply it after cleansing your face and before applying moisturiser.

3. Use a Pea-Sized Amount: A little goes a long way with retinol. Start with a pea-sized amount for your entire face to avoid overdoing it. Also dont forget your neck and decolletage - apply a similar pea sized amount.

4. Avoid the Eye Area: The skin surrounding our eyes is very sensitive and delicate. Retinol can be too harsh for the delicate skin around the eyes. Instead, use a separate eye cream formulated for that area.

5. Moisturise: Follow up with a hydrating moisturiser to help counteract any dryness or irritation caused by the retinol. pHFormula POST recovery moisturiser is a fantastic cream to use in the evenings after applying your retinol.

6. Wear SPF50 daily: At risk of being a broken record, the single most important item you can add to your daily skin routine is SPF 50 to face, neck, and any areas exposed to the light. Also retinol can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, it's crucial to wear sunscreen daily.

7. Be Patient: It can take several weeks to start seeing noticeable results from retinol, so be patient and consistent with your usage.

8. Discuss further with Dr Cei: If you have any concerns or questions about using retinol, it's always a good idea to discuss it through with someone who understands the skin care products, your skin and how to ensure we avoid skin irritation.

9. Start with caution: Whilst some mild irritation, such as mild peeling and redness, can be normal at the start, excessive irritation, discomfort or peeling may indicate that the product is too strong for your skin. In that case, you need to switch to a lower concentration or decrease the frequency of use.  We often hear about skin 'purging', which can occur when new active skin products are started. It seems to be an accepted side effect for some - however this is not the case. It indicates the skin is being overstimulated and becoming inflamed /irritated. Please stop the products and discuss further with Dr Cei, or step down your retinol use to only 1-2 weekly and build up your usage gradually.

Remember that everyone's skin is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. It's essential to listen to your skin and adjust your retinol usage accordingly.

 Would you like to know how retinol can be safely added into your skincare routine?

Are you unsure which products will be effective for you and reduce risk of side effects?

Book your consultation with Dr Cei today, to discuss further and find out more about the pHformula products available on prescription following a discussion with Dr Cei.

Synergy MD Serum, Vita A 24 hour cream and Vita A rejuvenating mask prescription only