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Retinol – Skin Care’s Most Hyped Ingredient


Aesthetic Centre Olympia - Retinol
Aesthetic Centre Olympia - Retinol

At some point in your life, someone has or probably will tell you to include Retinol into your skin care routine. Next to sunscreen, it is the most hyped over skin care ingredient to include in your weekly regime. And yes, if used correctly and introduced slowly, Retinol is a super multitasker proven to help with skin concerns such as signs of ageing, pigmentation and even in some cases acne.


How does it work and what does it do?

The real question is: What doesn’t retinol do? Retinol is a formulation of Vitamin A that is applied topically to the skin to improve a number of skin care concerns. Retinol exfoliates the skin, increases skin cell turnover, and stimulates collagen production to soften fine lines and wrinkles.


Types of Retinol

Given the long list of benefits, it’s not surprising to find retinol as the star ingredient in so many skin care products on the market today. A wide range of ingredients fall under the retinoid umbrella, but work in slightly different ways.

Examples of these ingredients are:

- Retinyl Palmitate: boosts collagen in the skin, minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, and smoothes the texture of the skin

- Tretinoin: helps your skin to regulate its natural oil production, which can prevent future breakouts. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which clear up active acne pustules


There are many different types of retinol on the market and it is often challenging to find the correct one that suits your skin care needs. At Aesthetic Centre Olympia, we have multiple choices when it comes to retinol. Let us guide and assist you to choose the one suitable for your skin care needs. SkinCeuticals™ and ZO™ have a variety from low percentages to higher dosages of Retinol.


One can also find other formulations of vitamin A in medication.


A commonly prescribed oral drug known as Oratane or Roaccutane is often prescribed by doctors to treat acne. The active ingredient called ‘Isotretinoin’ and belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids. These are a derivative of vitamin A. They target different factors in the skin that cause acne. By lowering the oil production in the oil glands, the skin is left clearer and less congested.


When, why and how to use Retinol


If introduced correctly into your skin care routine, Retinol can:

- Reverse some of the effects of ageing

- Minimize pore size

- Improve the appearance of hyperpigmented skin

- Hydrate and plump fine lines

- Combat mild acne

- Reduce the appearance of scarring

- Accelerate cell turnover, boost collagen production and smooth out skin tone.


With the guidance of your trained aestheticians’ recommendations, retinol can be introduced slowly into skin care routine. Start off with a very low percentage and apply it every second or third night to a clean face, neck and décolleté. Retinol should only be applied at night to prevent sun exposure directly after application. You can then apply your evening moisturizer as usual before going to bed.


Retinol can make your skin very sensitive to sunlight, as the ingredients are very exfoliating and cell renewal is stimulated to produce new skin cells. The new skin that develops is more delicate and thinner and therefore should not be exposed directly to sunlight. By applying a high quality facial sunscreen of at least SPF 50, your skin will be protected and this will prevent any risk of unnecessary UV damage.


If it is your first time using a retinol, your skin might become slightly dry and flaky. Slight redness is also possible until your skin has grown accustomed to these active ingredients. In this case, be sure to hydrate your skin sufficiently and reduce or discontinue retinol for a couple of days.


For any further questions, or information regarding Retinol use in your skin care routine, book a consultation with one of the experienced aestheticians at Aesthetic Centre Olympia.


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