Vitamin A is one of the most powerful weapons in our arsenal of anti-ageing products. More commonly known by the name of Retinol, this elixir of youth will soon have you looking smoother and more youthful than ever.
Before you rush out and buy a bottle of this “miracle ingredient”, it’s important to know that introducing it into your skincare routine requires a little care and professional know-how.
In fact, there are some common mistakes most people make when they first start using retinol.
Important pointers before you start using retinol.
There’s no doubt the first mention of reducing wrinkles had you hooked, but before you start slathering on this age-defying wonder, there are a few things beauty industry expert Annie Millar wants you to know.
- Introducing it too quickly can cause irritation: slowly adding this step into your skincare routine is important. We recommend introducing a pea-sized drop of gentle retinol serum once a week before bed. If all is well, you can increase this to twice a week, then to every other night, and gradually move up in serum concentration.
- Be liberal with your daily SPF application. When introducing a strong retinol cream or serum into your skincare routine, it’s very important to keep your skin protected and sun safe, as the application of this product can make your skin more prone to sun damage.
- Don’t neglect your neck and décolletage! Maintain an even skin tone by continuing your skincare routine below your chin.
What will Vitamin A do for your skin?
Retinol has been present on beauty counters for years. Vitamin A’s time-tested ability to increase cell turnover allows it to effectively address skin concerns from your late teenage years through to adulthood. After at least three months of nightly use, you’ll start to notice those pesky pimples, dark spots and wrinkles simply fade away. A dream come true!
Is retinol the product for you?
If you have oily to combination, acne-prone, or sun-damaged skin, retinol is the skincare solution for you. Working wonders on non-sensitive skin, almost everyone can benefit from topical application of Vitamin A.
Our fave kick-starter retinol serums:
Both retinol creams and serums are available in different strengths, so you can choose and manage the level of vitamin A your skin is exposed to. Two perfect serums include:
- Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane by The Ordinary
- Retinol 3TR™ Advanced 0.3% Vitamin A Serum by Medik8. This retinol serum ranges from gentle to high concentration, so they’re great to both start and continue your Vitamin A journey.
If you want to start your journey back to youth with something a little gentler and moisturising (especially if you have dry skin), two great options are:
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