Retinol offers a myriad of skincare benefits due to its powerful composition of vitamin A and antioxidants. It has a natural tendency to increase cell turnover on the surface of the face, improve skin elasticity, and helps in making fine lines disappear.
This magical form of vitamin A is one of the OTC (over-the-counter) versions of retinoids that are considered highly effective for mature skin. If you’re new to retinol, read on to discover the list of retinol benefits for skin, types of retinol, its uses and more.
What is Retinol?
Retinol is derived from vitamin A and it helps tighten enlarged pores, improves skin firmness, treats acne, and repairs fine lines and wrinkles. With these retinol for face benefits combined, it has been considered to be the gold standard for anti-ageing skincare routine. Retinol is the most powerful form of vitamin A derivatives in the entire retinoids family and hence it is widely used to make face creams, lotions, and serums.
Are Vitamin A and Retinol The Same?
Yes, retinol is part of the retinoids family that is derived from vitamin A: retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, and retinol. Long story short, the composition of retinol contains vitamin A and hence both are considered the same.
What are the Different Types of Retinoids for Skin?
Confused about which is the best retinoid for you? Let’s have a look at different types of retinoids for skin and their benefits:
Retinyl Palmitate
This is the mildest form of retinoid in the group that is suitable for extremely dry and sensitive skin types. It is a beginner-friendly formulation to tackle minimal lines and wrinkling.
Retinaldehyde
This is a stronger derivative of OTC retinoid compared to retinol. If you’re looking for something more effective than retinol, then it is the one of the ideal choices for you to attain best results.
Retinol
It is one of those excellent anti-ageing ingredients found in several OTC retinol-based skin care products for routine use.
Tretinoin
This is one of the strongest forms of the retinoid family. If you have tried using retinol and want to opt for something potent, it has effective anti-ageing benefits.
Tazarotene
It is the most powerful form of retinoid group. If you have used to using retinoid products for quite sometime and seeking for enhanced results, this is the best option. However, tazarotene is available by prescription only.
Adapalene
This is the form of topical retinoid that is mainly used to treat acne and minor skin conditions. It is as effective as other retinoids and is available without a prescription.
Benefits of Retinol for Face
Retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin that primarily helps as an anti-ageing and acne treatment. Here’s more about the various benefits of retinol for acne and more.
Clear Acne
The topical application of retinol is very effective to treat acne, and scars and reducing the severity of pimples without causing skin irritation. It helps unclog blocked pores preventing the chances of future breakouts or pimples.
Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Retinol helps stimulate the production of blood vessels and increase collagen levels to reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps improve skin elasticity and firmness leaving you with a smooth texture.
Gives Even Toned Skin
Retinol has rapid skin cell turnover capability to fade out dark spots, reduce pigmentation, and fix skin discoloration. It is an excellent ingredient to get rid of ageing spots and attain an even skin tone.
Lends Youthful Radiance
Applying retinol for the face helps in maintaining youthful-looking gorgeous skin. It helps boost elastic production, build collagen, and promotes skin regenerative process giving you a natural radiance.
Shrinks Enlarged Pores
If you wonder- how to reduce open pores on face? Retinol helps in tightening large pores and increases the purging of oily plugs. This means the less the oil-packed inside the pores, the smaller the size. It also helps stimulate cell turnover to increase the thickness of the epidermal layers and reduce pore size.
How to Use Retinol on Your Face?
Now that you know the many benefits of retinol for skin, are you ready to inculcate retinol for face in your skincare regimen? Here’s the step-by-step guide to use retinol in your PM routine:
- Wash your face thoroughly with a face cleanser.
- Pat-dry your face with a smooth fibrous towel.
- Apply a face toner to rejuvenate your skin.
- Wait for 15 minutes for your skin to soak it all in moisture.
- Use a pea-size amount of retinol face cream and apply it in small circular motions.
- Follow it with your regular skincare — eye cream, face serum, and night time face cream.
Organic Harvest Recommended Best Retinol Based Products
Organic Harvest brings you an exclusive range of retinol based products to reduce the effects of ageing and acne. Here’s the list vitamin A infused organic face care products you need to try:
Organic Vitamin A Face Toner
Organic Vitamin A Face Toner is made with Broccoli & Aloe Vera. It helps remove the last traces of dirt, grime, and impurities stuck in your pores. This organic face toner with the goodness of vitamin A helps minimise pores & tightening them.
Price: 495 INR
Buy Link: Click Here
Organic Vitamin A Sheet Mask
Organic Sheet Mask is enriched with the goodness of vitamin A extracted from Broccoli & Aloe Vera. These incredible benefits of sheet mask leaves a brightening face glow while giving an instant hydration boost.The anti-aging ingredients help reduce wrinkles & even out skin tone.
Price: 125 INR
Buy Link: Click Here
Organic Vitamin A Face Wash
Organic Vitamin A Face Wash is made with Broccoli & Aloe Vera that helps balance skin pH of while unclogging the blocked pores. It helps sweep away all the impurities from your skin while leaving the benefits of vitamin A. Vitamin A also smoothes wrinkles & evens skin tone while giving your skin the overall glow.
Price: 203 INR
Buy Link: Click Here
Organic Vitamin A Day Cream
Organic Vitamin A Day Cream contains the richness of Broccoli & Aloe Vera that helps keep the skin nourished and hydrated. The goodness of vitamin A for skin adds a protective layer to avert sun damage by interrupting the process of breaking collagen. It is the face cream to delay the process of ageing.
Price: 795 INR
Buy Link: Click Here
Organic Vitamin A Face Serum
Organic Vitamin A Face Serum with Broccoli & Aloe Vera is applied before the face cream to pamper your skin with vitamin A for anti-ageing benefits. It targets specific skin care concerns, like creases and fine lines on the face.
Price: 795 INR
Buy Link: Click Here
Organic Vitamin A Face Cleanser
Organic Vitamin A Face Cleanser is prepared from Broccoli & Aloe Vera to wash off the impurities from your skin, remove dead skin cells and unclogs pores. Enriched with benefits of vitamin A for the face, it helps smoothen out fine lines and wrinkles while giving your skin a natural radiance.
Price: 495 INR
Buy Link: Click Here
Organic Vitamin A Gifting Kit
Organic Harvest’s Vitamin A Gifting Kit contains vitamin A face cleanser, face wash, face toner, day cream, serum, and sheet mask. Enriched with retinol, broccoli, and aloe vera, this kit helps fight fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes giving you an even toned youthful-looking skin. It also helps avert early signs of ageing by improving skin firmness and elasticity.
Price: 2930 INR
Buy Link: Click Here
Organic Vitamin A Facial Kit
Organic Harvest Vitamin A Facial Kit is a combination of facial cleanser, face scrub, massage gel, massage cream, and face serum. This is a perfect facial kit to get a salon-like face makeover at home. All of these products are 100% organic and free from chemicals making them safe for all skin types. Consistent usage of this kit helps increase skin elasticity, cell turnover, fight acne, and tighten enlarged pores.
Price: 295 INR
Buy Link: Click Here
Vitamin C vs. Retinol vs Hyaluronic acid – Which is Better for the Face?
Vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid are considered to be the superstars of the skincare world. As we know, if retinol is a potent anti-ageing ingredient, vitamin c is a superb skin-healer and hyaluronic acid, a wonderful moisturiser! All of the three have something special to offer. Given below is the tabular representation to understand retinol vs vitamin c and retinol vs hyaluronic acid:
| Vitamin C | Retinol (Vitamin A) | Hyaluronic Acid |
| Vitamin C gives an even toned glowing complexion. | Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that fights wrinkles and improve skin firmness | Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet that fortifies the natural moisture barrier of the skin. |
| Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is suitable for topical use. | Retinol is part of retinoids family with different derivative and effectivity of vitamin A | Unlike vitamin A and vitamin C, hyaluronic acid is produced by our body to retain moisture and keep the skin hydrated. |
| Treats hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and free radical damage. | Promote collagen production, fights acne, prevents premature ageing, tightens pores. | Increases skin moisture levels, refine skin texture, and |
All of the three ingredients are important to the skin in their own ways. The only catch is to use them at different times as all powerful ingredients cannot work together at the same time. You can top-up your skin with vitamin c and hyaluronic acid in your daytime skincare, while retinol in the nighttime routine to ensure your skin receives a bit of all the benefits.
Side Effects of Retinol on Face
If you’re new to the retinoids family, you might experience tingling sensation, redness (healthy erythema), or dryness on the skin. With continuous usage your skin might adapt to it showing positive results. However, if the irritation persists, do check with your dermatologist. Here are the pointers to keep in mind while using retinol for face:
- Retinol is a potent ingredient and its best not combine it with any other active ingredients, viz., vitamin C, AHA/BHA acids, benzoyl peroxide.
- Always prefer to use retinol in your nighttime skincare routine to avoid sun sensitivity.
- If you have applied retinol in the daytime, always wear sunscreen (SPF 30) on top to avoid sun exposure.
- If you have a deeper skin tone, skin irritation due to retinol can lead to hyperpigmentation.
- Remember to start slow and observe how your skin reacts within 1-2 weeks of application.
- A concentration of 0.5-1% retinol is safe to start for beginners.
- There are countless benefits of retinol for the face, but its overuse can lead to peeling, irritation and skin dryness.
FAQs
What does retinol do to your face?
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that has several anti-ageing benefits, reduces acne, hyperpigmentation and protects against sun damage.
Should you use retinol on your face?
Yes, you can apply retinol on the face in your nighttime skin care routine as it is sensitive to sun rays.
Can you use retinol on your face everyday?
You can apply retinol on your face everyday in your PM routine for effective results. If you see any symptoms of irritation or allergic reactions consult your dermatologist.
What happens when I stop using retinol?
Retinol is a great anti-ageing ingredient to combat early signs of ageing and fight acne. If you stop using it, you will not see effective results.
At what age should I use retinol?
Dermatologists recommend to start applying retinol in your skincare routine during your mid 20’s, precisely after 24.
How do you know if retinol is working?
Retinol might take up to 6-12 weeks of continued usage to show results of reduced acne, wrinkle-depth and improve skin elasticity.
Who should not use retinol?
Retinol is ideally suitable for all skin types. But if you’re sensitive skin type with ongoing medications or conditions like rosacea, you can avoid retinol until prescribed.
How often can you use retinol?
You can start by using retinol twice a week. If your skin starts showing desired results, you can gradually add it in your PM skincare routine.
Conclusion
Retinol can be subjective to different skin types and conditions. However, dermatologists have always vouched for its impeccable anti-ageing benefits.
The final results depend on the form of OTC retinoid treatments with different concentration levels.
Do not miss out to try our exclusive collection of organic vitamin A skincare products available at Organic Harvest.
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