WHY RETINOL IS A MUST-HAVE FOR BLEMISH PRONE SKIN

Retinol is the most well-known, well-loved and widely used skincare ingredient out there, especially in anti-ageing skincare products thanks to its cell renewing and collagen stimulating properties.

However, it’s also a must-have in any skincare routine to help both prevent breakouts and help treat any post-blemish marks or acne scarring.

WHAT IS RETINOL?

Retinol is a type of retinoid derived from Vitamin A. Retinoid is the umbrella term for both gentler at-home grades as well as the more potent types only available with prescription. The strongest Retinoids, like isotretinoin and tretinoin, are pure retinoic acid, which means you’ll start seeing results straight away. However, this can come with significant side effects which is why these types of retinoids can be prescription only.

Retinol Esters, Retinol and Retinaldehyde (retinal) are gentler versions found in many skincare products you can purchase without prescription.

Retinol is more stable, cheaper and suitable for most skin types, which is why it tends to be the most popular form of retinoid.

Retinaldehyde (Retinal) is said to work 11 times fasters, but with this fast action, there is the possibility of more side effects which makes it less tolerable across all skin types. For that reason, retinol tends to be the one most commonly found in your skincare products.

With retinol, because its formulated to be suitable for more skin types, its important use consistently. Just remember that if you don’t think its working for you, keep preserving as it can take about 12 weeks to start seeing results.  

HOW WILL RETINOL HELP MY SKIN?

Most skin types will benefit from incorporating some form of Vitamin A into their skincare routine because it helps to address a whole host of skin concerns! The main benefits to your skin will be:

Retinol increases cell turnover and stimulates collagen production, which helps to plump skin and minimise fine lines and wrinkles
Retinol brightens skin and helps fade pigmentation and uneven skin tone, including dark spots and post blemish marks / acne scarring
Retinol exfoliates to help clear pores clear and prevent breakouts making it a great choice for acne prone skin.

HOW TO USE RETINOL IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

When first incorporating into your regime Retinol can cause dryness and irritation so here are our top tips for avoid discomfort:

Start low and go slow
Use a lower concentration of retinol 1-2 times per week and increase use if your skin is dealing OK with the level used
Use in the evening and follow with SPF in the AM
If also using acids in your skincare routine then use on alternative nights to AHA/BHAs, with Vitamin C application in the morning. This way you’ll maximise effectiveness and minimise irritation
The right level for you will depend on your skin needs and tolerability. For retinol, anything above 0.0015% is effective, up to a max level of 0.3% as allowed by UK/ EU. Any formula higher than this would need to have additional studies to prove their safety.

WHY CLEAR SKIN DAYS RETINOL SERUM IS PERFECT FOR ACNE AND BLEMISHES

Our serum was created for brighter, smoother, clearer and more even skin whilst minimising any skin irritation.

We’ve included a 5% Retinol complex, which contains 0.05% pure retinol which is effective and tolerable for most skin types
We’ve used a Cyclosystem Complex in which the retinol is micro-capsuled, controlling its release to prolong its action time
We’ve included 5% Niacinamide. Like retinol, Niacinamide has a whole heap of skin benefits for any skin type, which is why we love it. It’s a great partner to retinol as it helps to balance oil production, even pigmentation, smooth skin and reduce pore appearance
Finally we’ve also added 5% Morus Alba extract (White Mulberry) - this is a tried and tested ingredient to help fade discolouration and uneven skin tone, whilst helping to calm skin for a brighter, more radiant complexion.

So whether you’re wanting to target blemishes & pigmentation, or if refreshed and brighter skin is your goal, we recommending trying out a retinol into your skincare routine if you haven't already.

GET IN TOUCH

We hope that you've found this blog helpful - if you have any questions or would like to share your skincare journey with us, we'd love to hear from you. You can get in touch via the form below or by DM on IG.