How To Use Retinol – Skincare's Hero Ingredient For Radiant Skin

Of all the skincare ingredients available to us, retinol is perhaps the most transformative - and yet a little misunderstood.

An ingredient once restricted to the dermatologist's office, this powerful active ingredient is now widely available, in many different formulations. But, with so many nuances in formulation, finding the right retinol for you isn't always easy. So here are the basic retinol rules - from how it works to the best ways to use it - and the most innovative, efficacious retinol products on the shelves now.

What Does Retinol Do?
Simply put, retinol works by accelerating the rate of cell turnover in the skin, meaning new, fresh skin cells make their way to your skin surface faster than they would naturally. This action has a host of aesthetic benefits. This action can translate to countless improvements, like normalised cell turnover for clear, glowing skin; balanced pigment production for fewer dark spots; revved-up collagen production for smoother skin and tighter pores.


What Are Retinol Side Effects?
Retinol may cause some degree of irritation - like dryness, peeling, redness, and burning - which is totally normal and should subside by the fourth week. You can also buffer your retinoids with some anti-inflammatory actives - think formulas with niacinamide, polyphenols, lipids, and ceramides. These side effects are becoming less prevalent as innovation progresses.


BEST RETINOL FOR DRY SKIN

Drunk Elephant A-Gloei Maretinol Oil
Fans of Drunk Elephant's moisture-locking oils will love this amped-up retinol twist. With an unusually short ingredients list, it simply contains the brand's signature omega-rich marula extract alongside a dose of retinol and barrier-strengthening ceramides.



BEST RETINOL FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND AGES

Obagi SUZANOBAGIMD Retivance Skin Rejuvenating Complex
This is a gentle yet very effective retinol. Why you ask? This lightweight product is formulated with retinaldehyde, a stable and less potent form of vitamin A that is better suited for more sensitive skin but still packs a punch in terms of improving elasticity and curbing the appearance of wrinkles. 


BEST RETINOL FOR FINE LINES

CosMedix Serum 16 Rapid Renewal Complex
This serum is the closest formulation to prescription strength age defiance without a prescription. Containing LG-Retinex - a proprietary encapsulation of retinol and retinaldehyde - that helps carry the active ingredients to where they need to be, for the best possible action. Great for normal to dry skin, this serum is ideal for imbalanced ageing skin.


BEST RETINOL FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

DermaQuest Sensitized Retinaldehyde Renewal Cream
This lightweight formulation balances an effective Retinol formulation without the undesirable irritation. Retinaldehyde is ideal for delicate skin, paired with Sepicalm, Sytenol A, and botanicals to impart a luminous glow. This rejuvenating cream is specifically formulated to refine, exfoliate, and illuminate sensitive skin.