He Retinal is one of the most used active ingredients in cosmetics. Their results, backed by science, are indisputable and everything is due to their ability to reach the deepest layers of the skin and put into action the cells.
There are three types of retinoids: retinal, retinol and retinil and what differentiates them is their power, What leaves margin to experiment which of them feels better to you. For sensitive skin, Bakuchiol, an asset of plant origin, has become an ideal alternative, since it is less irritating and promises similar results.
Dr. Candy Hernández (@Dra.Candyht) It specializes in aesthetic medicine and anti -aging, she is also a founder and director of Candhé Clinic in Barcelona. In his book ‘Radiant skin in 8 steps’ (Editorial Orberon), da A practical guide to take care of this organ, and explains the benefits of this asset, giving us guidelines to integrate it correctly into our skincare. “Hundreds of studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in skin care and, if I had to stay with a cosmetic ingredient, in addition to sunscreen, it would undoubtedly retinol.”
However, he acknowledges that It is a very controversial asset and its use generates many doubts and questions in the cosmetic industry. In addition, all the information on the Internet and social networks end up complicating more, so it has been proposed to clarify everything about what in your opinion is the most effective cosmetic ingredient in history.
Retinol: The cosmetic anti -aging par excellence
For Dr. Candy Hernández, the most important thing about retinol is His ability to treat the passage of time on the skin, although it invites us to deepen what really means the anti -aging:
- Improves skin quality, increasing the synthesis and collagen production, achieving firmer and more elastic skin.
- Match the skin tone, decreasing melanin production, reducing the appearance of spots and brands.
- Improves skin texture, Accelerating the cell renewal process, achieving visibly regular skin.
- Help repair damage caused by sun exposure and UV rays, such as spots and hyperpigmentation.
- Reduces and controls acne formation, regulating the production of sebum and minimizing the accumulation of dead cells.
Although all these promises are true, they have a price, and that is that retinol It is not an easy cosmetic to use, since it can become highly irritating, although the doctor clarifies that it is part of the adaptation process. “when we start using any cosmetic with retinol, the skin reacts to this active substance almost violently.”
He explains that we wake up with reddened skin, with a strap feeling and many times with peeling symptoms, even some people, the first uses of retinol They even cause a kind of acne outbreak that manifests throughout the face.
How to incorporate retinol into my routine?
The key when using any type of retinol is Be persistent and apply appropriate guidelines in a controlled manner. In this way, you will not only minimize the symptoms, but also overcome the adaptation stage to benefit from your benefits and start seeing results. Dr. Hernández shares the basic advice with which you will be able to become a friend of retinol:
- Retinol alone and only It is used in the night routine.
- The amount you need is very small: if it is a serum with retinol, you will need 2 to 3 drops and, if it is cream, the amount of a pea.
- Your first retinol must be a cosmetic that contains low concentration, ideally below 0.1%.
- You must apply it on clean and totally dry skin, Never wet.
- during the first month, apply it only one night a week.
- From the second month, sees the frequency gradually increasing and watching how your skin responds. Start with two days a week and end a month using it alternate days.
- The nights in which you do not use retinol, take advantage to hydrate the skin very well with a good moisturizer and, at most, a very soft serum.
- After applying retinol, Always apply a very simple moisturizer. Choose a pharmacy that does not contain any active substance, acids or perfumes.
- Do not combine retinol with vitamin C. treatments You can use retinol at night and vitamin C in the morning.
- Do not exfolis your skin with physical exfoliants (granular products) or chemicals (such as lactic, gli-syllable, mandatory, salicylic acids, etc.) during this process of adaptation to retinol.
- When applying retinol, Avoid the corners of the mouth, neck and eye contour, since they are the areas with the greatest sensitivity.
- The retinol sensitizes the skin to the UV rays, so once you start using it, The sunscreen is mandatory every day of the year: It rains, it is cloudy or a winter day.
- If your skin is very sensitive, you can use the sandwich technique: apply a moisturizer layIf the notes especially strap and dry, do not use retinol that night. ”
“With these tips I do not promise that your adaptation to retinol is a path of roses, but you will do everything possible and You will be following all the steps for your skin to adapt progressively And don’t make any disaster along the way, ”says the expert.
When will I begin to see results with retinol?
Taking into account that the awareness period lasts several weeks, it is time to use patience. “Retinol is not one of those cosmetics that give an instant Glow effect, but You will need at least 3 months to see the first improvements in your skin ”, Although he points out that if you do not see results, several things may be happening:
- Your skin is still adapting. Each person is different and that your skin takes a little longer to adapt than the others.
- You are using it too often or a lot.
- You are using a retinol that does not work for you.
- You need some other cosmetic than your routine.
