Important Things to Know about Retinol
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What’s the difference between retinol and retinoids?
Simply put, retinol is part of the retinoid family of skincare ingredients. While most retinoids are drugs that require a doctor’s prescription, retinol serums are not. Retinol options include formulas tailored to help improve the appearance of age-related concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, as well as skin texture, radiance, pores and post-acne marks.
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How is retinol used?
Retinol is commonly found in skincare products. It is best to use a retinol serum in the evening, as this ingredient has been found to break down when exposed to sunlight, which reduces its effectiveness. If dryness or irritation occurs when starting to use retinol, reduce your application frequency until your skin adjusts.
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Who should use retinol?
Retinol helps prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells1 and is beneficial for anyone who would like to improve the appearance of their skin’s tone and texture, including visible changes due to the natural aging, acne blemishes process or post-acne marks. In terms of anti-aging, retinol’s exfoliating action makes it an effective ingredient for improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture and radiance.
Retinol can also help improve the look of post-acne marks that remain once have cleared and skin has healed. In addition, it’s been shown to help minimize the visibility of pores and refine the skin’s overall tone and texture.
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How does retinol work?
Retinol promotes your skin's natural exfoliation process and encourages the shedding of dead skin cells, which can help refine your skin’s surface.
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Does retinol help with wrinkles?
Retinol helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in several ways. First, its gentle exfoliation helps smooth and refine the skin’s surface. By reducing the build-up of dead cells, retinol also helps reveal more radiant and healthier-looking skin with less noticeable fine lines and wrinkles.
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Can retinol be used with other skincare ingredients?
Retinol can be safely used with a variety of other skincare ingredients, although it’s important to avoid using too many exfoliating ingredients to prevent irritation. Retinol can also complement skin-refining salicylic acid.
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Is extra sun protection necessary when using retinol?
Daily sunscreen use is an essential part of every skincare regimen. In addition to applying sunscreen every day, 365 days a year, it’s important to reapply it at least every two hours while spending extended periods of time in the sun. When using retinol, it’s important to be especially careful about sun protection.
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