Hello, fellow skincare lovers! I’ve teamed up with Olay to share my thoughts and experience with their new Retinol24 Collection and to give you some insights on the ingredient called retinol.
Retinol has a pretty scary reputation, and I want to shed some light on this amazing skincare ingredient. Whether you’re worried about irritation or sun sensitivity, it can be daunting to add retinol to your skincare routine.
When I was a teenager, I suffered from acne and I hated how bad my skin looked. No matter how much makeup I applied, I could still notice the bumps. I continued to have acne until my late 20s and although it has improved, it has left some blemishes on my skin. Over the years, I developed age spots and skin discoloration. This was due to poor sunscreen protection, or lack thereof, which is the reason it got me interested in researching this miracle ingredient.
As an esthetician, I often get asked, “What’s the best skincare product for my skin type?” The most important thing I recommend to anyone before trying any products is RESEARCH! Think of your major skin concerns and find out what products and ingredients are best suitable for you. While doing research for my skin type and trying to figure out what I can use to help with my skin concerns, I learned so much about retinol and realized I needed to share what I learned. So in this blog post, I want to debunk any common misconceptions about it. Keep reading to find out why retinol is my new favorite skincare ingredient!
RETINOL 101
WHAT IS RETINOL?
Retinol is a form of vitamin A, relative to retinoic acid but can be gentler.
It helps to boost collagen, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles and helps to plump the skin. Retinol also brightens dull skin, fades dark spots, and treats acne.
WHAT CAN RETINOL DO FOR ME?
In addition to the numerous benefits of retinol, effective retinol improves the skin’s brightness and smoothness. If you’ve used retinol in the past and didn’t see results, you may have been using the wrong retinol product for your skin. As listed above, retinol can help reduce dark spots and acne scars, even out your complexion, and minimizes pores. Retinol is truly a universal product that helps bring youthfulness and plumpness to the skin.
WHEN TO USE IT?
It’s recommended to only use retinol in your nighttime skincare routine because it’s photo-sensitive and can break down when exposed to the sun. So, I really want to emphasize the importance of remembering to *ALWAYS use an SPF during the day to help protect your skin after applying retinol at night. In fact, regardless if you use this product or not, you should always be applying sunscreen all over your face as well as the body.
DO ALL RETINOL HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?
If you know anything about retinol, you likely know about the common (and totally incorrect) listed side effects: burning, itching, peeling (OH MY!). Previously, I thought these side effects were necessary to get the benefits of retinol. But the truth is, they are totally unnecessary! Retinol should never injure your skin. Once again, if you’ve experienced retinol burn, then you might not be using the right retinol product for your skin. Make sure to do your research, and if possible test it out before you buy.
IS RETINOL ONLY FOR OLDER PEOPLE?
No way! This is another misconception that I’d like to debunk. With its wide range of benefits, retinol is definitely suitable for adults of all ages and you can start using it as early as your mid-twenties. It’s much better to prevent the early signs of aging instead of trying to fix them later on!
Retinol definitely works to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles, but it also does so much more such as brightening the skin, evening out the skin tone, smoothing skin texture, and helping diminish the look of dark spots and acne scars. So, if wrinkles are not your top skincare concern, not to worry! This product is universal and flexible – suitable for adults of all skin types and can be easily incorporated into your skincare routine while still producing amazing results.
BEFORE PHOTO:
AFTER 5 WEEKS:
RETINOL24 SERUM REVIEW
I’ve been using the Olay Retinol24 Night Serum every night for the past 28 days, and I really want to emphasize that I’m so impressed with it! Unlike my previous experiences with retinol, I didn’t have any irritation with this product. After using the Olay Retinol24 Night Serum for the first time, my skin looked brighter and more hydrated. I also noticed a nice radiant glow on my skin, which I was a big fan of.
Olay Retinol24 is available as a Night Serum, Night Moisturizer, or Night Eye Cream, in stores and online! If you want to learn more about Olay’s new retinol line, go to Olay.ca/retinol
