How To Use Retinol Serum for The Best Results

Are fine lines bothering you? Are you looking for plumper, more supple skin? If these questions resonate with you, retinol serum may be the answer you have been searching for. 

What Is Retinol?

Retinol is a natural form of vitamin A and a type of retinoid. Sourced from both plants and animals, retinol serum can be manufactured from beef, chicken or fish liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, and other sources. Although retinol is a natural substance, commercial retinol serum is typically derived in a laboratory setting. This ensures consistent quality and stability of the synthetic molecule that mimics the natural molecular structure of retinol.

Retinol Serum Benefits

Retinol is great for skin brightening, pH balancing, and anti-aging benefits. It is also used for a number of skin conditions, including:

• Fine lines
• Wrinkles
• Uneven skin texture
• Mild acne
• Sunspots
• Dark spots

Retinol serum is effective for a variety of skin conditions because of its ability to neutralize free radicals in the dermal (or middle) layer of the skin. Consequently, collagen is boosted, and elastin production is increased while damage from the sun is decreased.

Helping to regulate skin cell turnover, retinol improves the appearance of skin tone and texture. By resurfacing the skin and encouraging new skin cells to come to the surface, retinol helps sweep away dead skin cells, dull skin, and clogged pores.

The skin-boosting effects of retinol give the skin an overall improved appearance. A carefully crafted stabilized retinol formula enriched with hyaluronic acid complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and jojoba oil for unparalleled hydration, anti-aging, and comprehensive skin care is ideal for optimal skin brightening results.

Retinol Creams vs. Retinol Serums

Retinol cream is, in fact, different from retinol serum. Retinol creams may be more ideal for dry, sensitive skin, offering a gentle, moisturizing option. Retinol serums are ideal for targeting more advanced skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation and deeper wrinkles. By providing higher concentrations of the active ingredient, serums deliver a more powerful punch. However, they may be more irritating to the skin.

Look for these key ingredients in your retinol product for the best results:

• Stabilized Retinol
• Hyaluronic Acid Complex
• Vitamin C
• Natural form of Vitamin E
• Jojoba
• Esters
• Sodium Ascorbate

Make sure the product is free from:

• Any common allergens
• Fragrances
• Oils
• Parabens
• Silicones
• Sulfates

Tips For Using A Retinol Serum

If you have decided that retinol is a good solution for your skin concerns, here are a few tips that can help you get the best results from your retinol routine.

Daily Use

It is best to use retinol serum daily, and more specifically, at night. Exposure to light and air can deactivate some retinol types. For the best results, use the serum daily. However, if you experience unwanted side effects such as dryness or redness, you can reduce your use to every other day.

Start Young

Prevention is better than cure. Start using retinol serum in your mid-20s to mid-30s for optimal results. However, it's never too late to start implementing a retinol serum into your skincare routine. Some may even want to start earlier than mid-20s if teen acne is a concern. Starting a retinol routine in your 20s and 30s can help prevent fine lines and sunspots. To address wrinkles, sunspots, and other signs of skin aging in your 40s and beyond, you can start using serum as well.

Don't Overdo It

If used too frequently or if the formulation is too strong for your skin, retinol serum can be irritating, causing redness, dryness, peeling, or flaking. Start low and go slow. Begin with a pea-sized amount of a low dose (0.01-0.03 percent) twice a week. Then, increase your usage slowly to give your skin time to acclimate.

Avoid applying retinol serum the day before you exfoliate your skin. Retinol use in conjunction with exfoliation can cause more irritation and skin sensitivity. Other treatments to avoid retinol application include microneedling, laser treatment, and microdermabrasion.

Other instances where retinol should be avoided include vacations in the sun or any periods where extended time in the sun is to be expected.

Retinol could be too potent for those with acne rosacea, eczema, or very sensitive skin. Plant-based alternatives could be a better option.

Try Skin Cycling

Skin cycling is a technique that cycles your skincare routine between exfoliating agents. The purpose of cycling is to reduce the risk of your skin becoming red, dry, and over-exfoliated.

To start your skin cycling routine, follow these steps.

• Night 1: Use an exfoliator.
• Night 2: Apply a retinol serum or cream.
• Nights 3 and 4: Use only hydrating, calming, and strengthening skin products for a restoration and recovery period.

Whole Body Care

Other parts of your body may benefit from retinol products. You can apply retinol serum to your neck area, which commonly shows signs of aging. If your neck seems too sensitive for your face serum, try a product specifically made for the decolletage area or one with a lower retinol percentage with additional soothing agents.

There are some internal retinoids such as Isotretinoin (Accutane) used to treat severe cases of acne. There is also retinoic acid (Tretinoin), the most prescribed retinoid that targets both acne and signs of aging.

For this article, the over-the-counter version of retinoids (retinols) is the focus. They are less irritating than prescribed retinoids and are used to improve skin texture, pigment, tone, fine lines, sunspots, acne, and more.

Be consistent

For the best results, be consistent with your retinol application routine. Whether you are using it nightly or only twice a week, be consistent with your practice. Regular application over time is what you will need to achieve optimal results with retinol serums.

Step-By-Step Retinol Routine

1. Complete the following steps at night for the best results. While retinol does not react with sunlight to cause burns, meaning it is not phototoxic, many retinol products do break down in the sun. Therefore, applying retinol in the morning can make it less effective.
2. Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser and pat the skin dry. Do not use abrasive cleansers or rub your skin too harshly.
3. Apply a pea-sized amount of retinol serum in a thin layer over your entire face surface using the quadrant system. Divide the amount evenly between the forehead, both cheeks and chin.
4. Avoid getting the serum inside sensitive areas such as your nose, eyes, and mouth.
5. Rub the retinol into your skin until it is no longer visible.
6. If you are using a cream or a lotion, one pump or the amount the size of your fingertip should suffice.
7. Wait 10-30 minutes for the retinol to fully absorb.
8. Apply a thin layer of moisturizer.
9. In the morning, wash your face thoroughly yet gently and apply a daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to your face.
10. If you experience dryness, redness, or flaking, avoid daily use. Try using it for 2-3 nights per week to reduce the risk of unwanted side effects.

Retinol Side Effects

While retinol offers several benefits for your skin, there is a possibility of unwanted side effects occurring. Here are a few of the most common side effects.

• Sun sensitivity: Because retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and may degrade in UV light, it is important to apply retinol products at night, and to wear sunscreen during the day.
• Dry skin: Retinol can cause your skin to become excessively dry. Staying hydrated and using a moisturizer after application will help decrease dryness. Dryness can be worse in the initial weeks of retinol use and will likely improve over time.
• Itching: Typically mild in nature, itching associated with retinol use will typically improve with time.
• Redness: Retinol may cause redness of the skin due to irritation. Similar to other symptoms, redness will be most common with initial use and tends to improve with continued, consistent application.
• Flaking and peeling: Typically a side effect for those implementing a new retinol routine, this should improve over time.
• Tightness: After retinol application, your skin may feel slightly tight. Applying a moisturizer after retinol application should help alleviate this sensation.
• Internal retinoids such as Accutane can cause more serious side effects such as birth defects, severe skin reactions, bowel problems, high cholesterol, liver damage, and rarely increased brain pressure that may lead to vision loss or death.

The Big Picture

Retinol serums are formulated to address many skin concerns. From sunspots and acne to fine lines and uneven skin texture, topical retinol serums can both treat and prevent these common skin conditions.

For optimal results, be sure to be consistent with your retinol routine. Be sure not to overdo it with too frequent application or potent products for your skin.

Remember to apply retinol at night to minimize skin sensitivity to the sun and to preserve the stability of your product. Be aware of common side effects of retinol serums, including redness, tightness, dryness, flaking, peeling, itching, and sun sensitivity. The majority of these symptoms resolve with consistent, continued use at the right potency appropriate for your skin type.

Always consult your healthcare provider before using retinoids, including retinol, in your skincare routine.

References:

1. Zasada, M., Budzisz, E., & Erkiert-Polguj, A. (2020). A Clinical Anti-Ageing Comparative Study of 0.3 and 0.5% Retinol Serums: A Clinically Controlled Trial. Skin pharmacology and physiology, 33(2), 102–116.
2. Spierings N. M. K. (2021). Evidence for the Efficacy of Over-the-counter Vitamin A Cosmetic Products in the Improvement of Facial Skin Aging: A Systematic Review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 14(9), 33–40.
3. Zasada, M., & Budzisz, E. (2019). Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. Postepy dermatologii i alergologii, 36(4), 392–397.
4. Milosheska, D., & Roškar, R. (2022). Use of Retinoids in Topical Antiaging Treatments: A Focused Review of Clinical Evidence for Conventional and Nanoformulations. Advances in therapy, 39(12), 5351–5375.
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6. Quan T. (2023). Human Skin Aging and the Anti-Aging Properties of Retinol. Biomolecules, 13(11), 1614.