Case study: all about Retinol

• May 17, 2020

As we well know by now, there is no magic solution to every skin problem. Or is there?

From skin concerns like acne and pigmentation, to wrinkles and fine lines, it seems that retinol is delivery quick and lasting results to all skin types, for everyone that’s using it. According to Dr. Costi, retinol is scientifically proven to change the way skin ages, improving and protecting it.

Let’s find out a bit more about this miracle skin care ingredient.

Retinol: what is it?

Retinoids, of which retinol, are compounds derived from vitamin A, and they have repeatedly been shown to improve skin cell turnover and reduce the breakdown of collagen. Retinol is therefore helpful in reducing fine lines, pigmentation as well acne scars.

Is it safe to use for all skin types?

While retinol can cause sensitivity and irritation, you can nevertheless gradually get used to it. Your skin will slowly adapt, and there is more than one way to incorporate it into your skincare routine.

To avoid redness and parched patches, start by applying retinol two or three times per week as per Dr. Costi. The other days, give your skin a break with a retinol-free moisturizer, so that your skin’s tolerance increases.

If you find that your skin immediately reacts well to it, then you can use retinol every night. Another trick is to apply retinol alongside your current moisturizer to dilute the compound a little.

Furthermore, especially if you know you have sensitive skin, then look for a product that uses a time-released retinol which is gentler on skin and therefore less likely to cause irritation. According to Dr. Costi there are many new products which feature a time-release retinol as well as other types of super gentle compounds that speed up cell turnover.

Extra tip: while retinol has a bit of a bad reputation for making skin red raw, you can now find many products with encapsulated retinol. This means it is delivered to the skin alongside a slew of other skin-perfecting ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides which act like a buffer to protect the skin, so that it becomes flawless not flaky.

How can we use it?

According to Dr. Costi, retinol is a must in every woman’s skincare. In fact, the continued retinol use has the ability to significantly minimize the appearance of the following skin problems: 

 1. Acne and acne scars

Retinol helps to reduce comedones (blackheads or whiteheads) and to improve pigmentation left behind by acne. By acting as an exfoliator to the top layers of skin, pores are much less likely to become clogged and will not be irritated by dead skin cells and dirty causing acne.

2. Lines and wrinkles

Retinol helps cell regeneration which decreases with age. As skin is boosted, new collagen is formed and therefore wrinkles are decreased and skin texture is improved.

Hello, soft, bright and plump skin. Good bye fine lines and old dead skin.

3. Pigmentation

Retinol helps the turnover of surface skin, right? That’s how it will erase such things as pigmentation from sun damage (caused mainly by UVA rays), and mainly it’s all thanks to its ability to increase cell turnover to a very high speed. 

When should we apply it?

Since cell turnover and regeneration tend to happen while you sleep, so it’s more efficient to apply retinol as part of your night skin care routine. 

Remember: when you’re using retinol, always wear a sunscreen with a high SPF during the day to protect your skin from UV rays.

If you need some help choosing, you can ask Dr. Costi for the best retinol products to buy right now, from a variety of eye creams, serums and moisturizers.