Top 5 Ways Retinol Can Improve Your Skin
1.Retinol rejuvenates the skin. This vitamin A derivative helps skin produce collagen, a natural component of the dermis that gives skin its youthful, full appearance. According to a 2007 study, published in The Archives of Dermatology, 36 participants age 80 and older applied a formula with 0.4 percent retinol to one arm up to three times a week. After 24 weeks, these participants had dramatic improvements in their skin that were “clearly visible to the naked eye,” reports dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., on her Yahoo! blog, The Skin Guru. Also, “skin biopsies revealed that that arm had more of the building blocks that make skin smooth and resilient than the untreated arm,” Leesa Suzman writes about the study in Good Housekeeping.
2.Retinol gives skin an overall healthier appearance. Retinol can help reduce discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture. Plus, it can improve skin tone and color for generally younger-looking, even skin.
3. Retinol stimulates cell turnover. Exfoliating is essential for youthful-looking, healthy skin. By removing dead skin cells, new, healthier cells are able to come through. Your complexion also looks smoother and products are able to sink deep into the skin. This way, your skin can effectively absorb potent ingredients. With a pile of dead skin cells on your face, products have a tough time penetrating this top layer and can’t work.
4. Retinol addresses acne. While retinol works to reduce telltale signs of aging, it also treats “acne-ridden skin,” dermatologist Heidi A. Waldorf. M.D., tells Allure. Adult acne is common, affecting 50 percent of women. Dealing with both aging and acenic skin can be particularly distressing. Fortunately, because of retinol’s exfoliating benefits, it can help treat acne. That’s because dead skin cells can clog pores and contribute to acne. By getting rid of dead skin cells, retinol improves and prevents breakouts.
5. Retinol is less irritating than retinoids. Also a vitamin A derivative, retinoids are only available by prescription from your dermatologist. Though they’re more potent than their over-the-counter counterparts, retinoids are also more irritating to the skin with potential side effects like peeling and redness. Retinol is gentler because it gradually converts to retinoic acid, which is the active ingredient in prescription treatments. Some people simply can’t tolerate retinoids. So retinol is ideal for those individuals along with anyone with sensitive or easily irritated skin and those trying retinoids for the first time. Plus, retinol can pave the way to retinoids, because it helps your skin get used to retinoic acid.
2.Retinol gives skin an overall healthier appearance. Retinol can help reduce discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles and skin texture. Plus, it can improve skin tone and color for generally younger-looking, even skin.
3. Retinol stimulates cell turnover. Exfoliating is essential for youthful-looking, healthy skin. By removing dead skin cells, new, healthier cells are able to come through. Your complexion also looks smoother and products are able to sink deep into the skin. This way, your skin can effectively absorb potent ingredients. With a pile of dead skin cells on your face, products have a tough time penetrating this top layer and can’t work.
4. Retinol addresses acne. While retinol works to reduce telltale signs of aging, it also treats “acne-ridden skin,” dermatologist Heidi A. Waldorf. M.D., tells Allure. Adult acne is common, affecting 50 percent of women. Dealing with both aging and acenic skin can be particularly distressing. Fortunately, because of retinol’s exfoliating benefits, it can help treat acne. That’s because dead skin cells can clog pores and contribute to acne. By getting rid of dead skin cells, retinol improves and prevents breakouts.
5. Retinol is less irritating than retinoids. Also a vitamin A derivative, retinoids are only available by prescription from your dermatologist. Though they’re more potent than their over-the-counter counterparts, retinoids are also more irritating to the skin with potential side effects like peeling and redness. Retinol is gentler because it gradually converts to retinoic acid, which is the active ingredient in prescription treatments. Some people simply can’t tolerate retinoids. So retinol is ideal for those individuals along with anyone with sensitive or easily irritated skin and those trying retinoids for the first time. Plus, retinol can pave the way to retinoids, because it helps your skin get used to retinoic acid.
What Percentage Of Retinol Is The Best?
It depends on your skin. Retinol is proven to be very effective for anti-aging but it is not overnight solution. You need to build your skin tolerance for any retinol products and be very patient to see the results. Sometimes "less is more" and "slow is fast" for using retinol products. Do you know what percentage of retinol you are looking for? You need to do your research before making any purchase decisions.
1. Low-Strength Retinol Treatments (0.01%-0.03%): Suitable for Most of People
Despite retinol's reputation as an anti-aging workhorse, not everyone's skin can tolerate it, or maybe can tolerate it only in low doses, especially if used daily.What Results You Can Expect: Don't think that low levels of retinol won't be beneficial, because they are! Research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology has shown that concentrations of 0.01% retinol and up are indeed effective for improving the health and appearance of the skin. The important thing to keep in mind is that this research does not include the additional benefits derived from combining retinol with antioxidants, skin-repairing ingredients, and cell-communicating ingredients.
Research has also shown that low amounts of retinol paired with other antioxidants helps protect the skin against UV damage when worn under a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day. (Don't forget about that daily SPF.)
2. Moderate-Strength Retinol Treatments: Suitable for Most of People, But Not For Eczema Skin ( 0.04% - 0.1%)
Research published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology demonstrated that retinol concentrations at 0.04% and up improve visible signs of photo aging (meaning sun damage), stimulate collagen production, and improve the strength of thinning skin. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology showed that over the course of 8 weeks, 0.1% retinol proved an impressive treatment for improving lines ("crow's feet"), wrinkles, discolorations, and skin firmness.
3. High-Strength Retinol: Not for Everyone-But it Can Deliver Prescription-Like Results! (0.5%-1%)
IMPORTANT: 1% retinol is the HIGHEST amount of retinol allowed by Health Canada for over-the-counter products! The FDA also allows up to 1% retinol in over-the-counter brands!
For some, moderate levels of retinol may not provide the results they had hoped for-whether their concerns are treating advanced sun damage, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, acne-prone skin, or all of the above. If your skin has tolerated moderate-strength retinol treatments, and you want to see if you can get even better results, it's time to consider something stronger.
High-strength retinol treatments are products that contain 0.5% retinol and up, with the sweet spot in terms of effectiveness versus reduced potential for side effects (redness, flaking) being around 1%.
What Results You Can Expect: A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed a significant increase in collagen synthesis with daily use of a 1% retinol formula-in just seven days. That means dramatic (and more rapid) results in addressing concerns that might not have responded to lower-strength formulas.
It's important to note that as you gradually increase the concentration of retinol, you might see your skin's tolerance level dropping-meaning you should stick with (and can absolutely benefit from) products with low to moderate concentrations of retinol.
Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment-A powerhouse dose of 1% retinol combined with antioxidants, and plant-based anti-irritants. This retinol serum formula tackles your toughest aging concerns. In fact, 1% retinol is essentially equivalent to a prescription retinoid product that contains 0.02% tretinoin. Tretinoin is the most potent form of retinoid. (Retinoid is the name for all forms of vitamin A.)
4. Extremely High Retinol: Not for Most of People, But Still OK for Some Long-time Retinol Users (>1%)
So far we can only find 2.5% products from some small online beauty sellers and have not found that well-known skin brands (e.g: well-known brand ROC is 0.01%) have such a high dose products, because strong 2.5% retinol is NOT following FDA regulation and not for everyone. Competing on higher 2%-2.5% percentage is meaningless. Higher does not mean better. Sometimes higher percentage means more side effects. That's why many well known companies do not even want to disclose their retinol percentage on labels because simply pursuing higher percentage is unnecessary and dangerous direction. Bio-active retinol is more important! We tested 2.5% retinol products for several months on a testing group of people and found that 2.5% is too strong and has side effects for 70% of our testing group. Some long-time retinol users might carefully consider to increase their level to 2.5% if their skin is tolerant with such a high retinol level and only if they do not care about any FDA and Health Canada's regulations regarding percentage of over the counter retinol.
For most of people, 1% retinol is the best high percentage to avoid side effects (redness, dryness, flaking, breakouts etc.) while remaining the most effectiveness. Joyal Beauty Retinol Correcting Serum (1%) is strictly following FDA regulation. It is skin-friendly and can be easier to build up the tolerance.On continuous usage, you will achieve the best results.
1. Low-Strength Retinol Treatments (0.01%-0.03%): Suitable for Most of People
Despite retinol's reputation as an anti-aging workhorse, not everyone's skin can tolerate it, or maybe can tolerate it only in low doses, especially if used daily.What Results You Can Expect: Don't think that low levels of retinol won't be beneficial, because they are! Research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology has shown that concentrations of 0.01% retinol and up are indeed effective for improving the health and appearance of the skin. The important thing to keep in mind is that this research does not include the additional benefits derived from combining retinol with antioxidants, skin-repairing ingredients, and cell-communicating ingredients.
Research has also shown that low amounts of retinol paired with other antioxidants helps protect the skin against UV damage when worn under a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day. (Don't forget about that daily SPF.)
2. Moderate-Strength Retinol Treatments: Suitable for Most of People, But Not For Eczema Skin ( 0.04% - 0.1%)
Research published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology demonstrated that retinol concentrations at 0.04% and up improve visible signs of photo aging (meaning sun damage), stimulate collagen production, and improve the strength of thinning skin. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology showed that over the course of 8 weeks, 0.1% retinol proved an impressive treatment for improving lines ("crow's feet"), wrinkles, discolorations, and skin firmness.
3. High-Strength Retinol: Not for Everyone-But it Can Deliver Prescription-Like Results! (0.5%-1%)
IMPORTANT: 1% retinol is the HIGHEST amount of retinol allowed by Health Canada for over-the-counter products! The FDA also allows up to 1% retinol in over-the-counter brands!
For some, moderate levels of retinol may not provide the results they had hoped for-whether their concerns are treating advanced sun damage, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, wrinkles, acne-prone skin, or all of the above. If your skin has tolerated moderate-strength retinol treatments, and you want to see if you can get even better results, it's time to consider something stronger.
High-strength retinol treatments are products that contain 0.5% retinol and up, with the sweet spot in terms of effectiveness versus reduced potential for side effects (redness, flaking) being around 1%.
What Results You Can Expect: A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed a significant increase in collagen synthesis with daily use of a 1% retinol formula-in just seven days. That means dramatic (and more rapid) results in addressing concerns that might not have responded to lower-strength formulas.
It's important to note that as you gradually increase the concentration of retinol, you might see your skin's tolerance level dropping-meaning you should stick with (and can absolutely benefit from) products with low to moderate concentrations of retinol.
Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment-A powerhouse dose of 1% retinol combined with antioxidants, and plant-based anti-irritants. This retinol serum formula tackles your toughest aging concerns. In fact, 1% retinol is essentially equivalent to a prescription retinoid product that contains 0.02% tretinoin. Tretinoin is the most potent form of retinoid. (Retinoid is the name for all forms of vitamin A.)
4. Extremely High Retinol: Not for Most of People, But Still OK for Some Long-time Retinol Users (>1%)
So far we can only find 2.5% products from some small online beauty sellers and have not found that well-known skin brands (e.g: well-known brand ROC is 0.01%) have such a high dose products, because strong 2.5% retinol is NOT following FDA regulation and not for everyone. Competing on higher 2%-2.5% percentage is meaningless. Higher does not mean better. Sometimes higher percentage means more side effects. That's why many well known companies do not even want to disclose their retinol percentage on labels because simply pursuing higher percentage is unnecessary and dangerous direction. Bio-active retinol is more important! We tested 2.5% retinol products for several months on a testing group of people and found that 2.5% is too strong and has side effects for 70% of our testing group. Some long-time retinol users might carefully consider to increase their level to 2.5% if their skin is tolerant with such a high retinol level and only if they do not care about any FDA and Health Canada's regulations regarding percentage of over the counter retinol.
For most of people, 1% retinol is the best high percentage to avoid side effects (redness, dryness, flaking, breakouts etc.) while remaining the most effectiveness. Joyal Beauty Retinol Correcting Serum (1%) is strictly following FDA regulation. It is skin-friendly and can be easier to build up the tolerance.On continuous usage, you will achieve the best results.
