Redness, Irritation and Peeling, Oh My!
Whenever the word ‘Retinol’ comes up, everyone seems to think they know all there is about this wonder product that causes fine lines and wrinkles to effortlessly vanish. Others say the side effects outweigh the benefits making it not worth the hassle. With all the conversation surrounding this transformative product, it’s time to set the record straight with some cold hard facts. So, let’s dive in. Here are 5 myths about Retinol that you need to stop believing to give this product a fair chance.
5 Myths about Retinol to Stop Believing
All Retinol Products are the Same
Actually, Retinol is only one form of retinoid (the umbrella term used for retinol products). There are multiple variations of both over the counter (OTC) and prescription only retinoids that vary in both strength and ingredients.
The biggest difference between OTC and prescription formulas is that prescription formulas contain retinoic acid, while nonprescription formulas need to be converted into retinoic acid by the skin at the cellular level. To make it plain: The only ingredient worth looking for is the classic vitamin A derivative known as Retinol. But know that not all formulas are made the same.
Retinol Work by Exfoliating the Skin
Contrary to popular belief, retinol is not an exfoliant. It’s an antioxidant. Also known as Vitamin A, Retinol is an anti-aging molecule that accelerates skin renewal making it look healthier, smoother and more vibrant.
Unlike traditional exfoliants, like AHAs and BHA, that react with the skin to visibly cause the shedding of dead skin cells from the surface, you don’t see or feel healthy, normal exfoliation that occurs from the use of Retinol.
Retinol Makes You More Sensitive to the Sun
This is one of the biggest myths about retinol. In reality, retinoids break down in the sun, making it unstable and less effective. Studies have shown that they in fact do not increase the risk of sunburn. Being that they do breakdown in sunlight, it is more effective to use retinol based products at night.
Equally important to note here is that sun damage is still the number one cause of aging and sunscreen (SPF) is still the most effective defense in helping protect against the numerous signs of aging.
Retinol Will Make Your Skin Peel
Retinol is traditionally known for causing redness and irritation which can lead to peeling. To understand why this may happen, let’s take a look at how retinol reacts when applied to the skin. When you use retinol, the skin’s outermost protective layer is weakened through water loss. This can cause a diminished effect in the skin’s ability to naturally shed itself of dead skin, thus causing what we perceive to be dry, flaky skin.
If your skin tends to lean towards the dry side of the scale, you may be avoiding the use of retinol altogether because of this potential side-effect. DMK has recently released a new retinol formula that is designed with a special delivery system that doesn’t cause much irritation, if any. This is not your average retinol, but you’ll have to become a BBT client to give it a try (keep reading to learn how).
Retinol Thins the Skin
Another common misconception about the effect of retinol on the skin but in reality retinol is a powerful multi-tasker that works to strengthen the skin rather than thin it. In fact, one of the natural signs of aging is thinning skin, so retinol is not the cause but the cure. Two of the largest benefits of retinol are that it increases cell turnover and enhances collagen production which help improve the skin’s elasticity and improve skin texture.
Become the Queen of Anti-Aging
Let’s face it, we all want to be young forever and while you may not remember your first wrinkle or your first grey hair, you do know that you’ll do whatever it takes to look anything other than your actual age. While there are some aspects of anti-aging that apply to all, fighting the signs of aging on the skin is not a one treatment fits all solution.
So, what’s the key to unlocking timeless beauty? Targeted clinical treatments and a customized in-home routine that produces lasting results. The best part: It’s never too early to start. Book a Virtual Skin Consultation with Beauty by Tifini today and receive a $25 credit towards your customized skincare regimen.