Retinol is the active ingredient in skincare products, what are the benefits?

Retinol is the active ingredient of vitamin A which is widely used in products skincare. The content of these compounds has many functions, ranging from overcoming acne, improving skin texture, to being said to be effective in preventing premature aging.

Like other active ingredients, retinol also needs to be used according to the rules so that the skin can get the benefits and avoid the risk of irritation. What should you pay attention to?

What is retinol?

Quoted from the Harvard Medical School page, retinol or retinoid is a substance made from vitamin A. This substance was originally used as an acne medication around the 1970s. However, the researchers found other functions, one of which is to prevent aging.

As one of the "main actors" in the product anti-aging, retinol is said to have the ability to stimulate collagen production. Not only that, retinol also speeds up the process of renewing dead skin cells and makes the skin texture smoother.

Retinol is divided into several types according to the level of strength. Products that can be purchased over the counter usually contain retinyl palmitate, retinol, retinaldehyde, or adapalene. Adapalene is also found in many products to treat acne.

There are also more potent types of retinol, such as tretinoin and tazarotene. Both require a prescription because of their powerful effect on the skin. The effect does appear more quickly, but the risk of irritation is also greater.

No matter what type of retinol you use, basically everything will give results on the skin after long-term use according to the rules. The average skin starts showing improvement after at least three months of using the product.

Benefits of retinol for skin

There are various reasons why retinol is so popular with beauty activists. Here are among them.

1. Treat acne

Doctors often prescribe drugs or products skin care contains retinol to treat acne with mild to moderate severity. This is because retinol can open the pores so that the skin is able to properly absorb the acne medication.

In addition, retinoids also prevent acne from reappearing by reducing excess oil production and reducing inflammation in the skin. That way, there is no clogging of the pores which is the beginning of acne formation.

2. Prevent wrinkles due to aging

Retinol, especially tretinoin, can prevent the appearance of wrinkles or fine lines on the skin. This is because tretinoin increases collagen production and stimulates blood flow under the skin so that the skin becomes healthier.

Tretinoin also helps fade dark spots due to aging and reduces the so-called cancer-triggering skin spots actinic keratosis. This compound works by blocking excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays on the face.

3. Control psoriasis symptoms

The retinoid of the tazarotene type has its own benefits for psoriasis sufferers. These substances help control psoriasis symptoms by:

slow down the growth of skin cells,
thinning skin that is thickened and scaly,
relieves swelling and redness, as well
overcome psoriasis of the nails.

If you have psoriasis, your doctor will recommend applying a small drop of retinol cream once a day before bed. Retinol creams or gels for psoriasis may also be combined with steroid treatment.

4. Eliminate milia

Milia are small bumps that usually grow around the nose, forehead and eyelids. These lumps are often difficult to remove, so medication is needed to get rid of them.

You can get rid of milia by using a retinoid serum, especially from the type of tretinoin. These compounds help erode milia and prevent the growth of new bumps so that the skin texture becomes even.

Side effects of using retinol

Despite their many benefits, retinoids can also cause side effects when not used as directed. Some of the side effects that have been reported include:

dry and irritated skin,
changes in skin color,
the skin is more sensitive to the sun, as well
the skin becomes red, swollen, hard, or blistered.

Avoid the sun while using retinol cream, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you are going outside and will be exposed to the sun, use a moisturizer and sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or higher.

Retinoids should also not be used by pregnant women. The reason is, retinol and various vitamin A derivatives are at risk of disrupting the development of the fetus in the womb and causing abnormalities in the spine and face of the born baby.

This risk increases if pregnant women use retinol cream excessively and for a long time. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to use other skin care products to replace retinol.

Rules for using retinol

In order to maximize product benefits and avoid side effects, here are things you need to pay attention to when using products containing retinol.

1. Use sparingly

There are several common mistakes in the use of retinoids. Some take too much, too often, or in too high a concentration. In fact, the use of retinol should start from a low concentration.

This is especially important for those of you who are wearing it for the first time or have sensitive skin types. If your skin has been accustomed to using retinol for several weeks, then increase the concentration slowly.

2. Use on dry skin

When used with damp skin, retinoids have the risk of causing irritation and making the skin dry out faster. So, it's a good idea to use this product in dry skin conditions.

If you want to use a pre-retinoid moisturizer, give it a break first. Likewise, if the moisturizer is to be used afterwards, it is best to use it when the product containing retinoids is sufficiently absorbed into the skin.

3. Use at night

Products containing retinoids are usually packaged in dark bottles. This is done because most retinoids are substances photolabile which is easily damaged when exposed to bright light or direct sunlight.

On this basis too, retinol products are preferable to be used at night. You can actually stick to retinoids in the morning as long as they are coated with sunscreen, but that doesn't mean that it makes retinoids free from risk of damage.

4. Ingredients that should not be used with retinol

Products containing retinol should not be used with exfoliating products or products containing benzoyl peroxide. Examples of ingredients in exfoliating products, namely alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA).

This is because the retinoid mixture with the three ingredients has the risk of making the skin dry, flaking, and irritating. As a solution, you can use these three products at different times.

5. Discontinue use during pregnancy

Long-term use of retinoids or in large doses increases the risk of birth defects in babies born. Therefore, you need to stop using this substance during pregnancy and replace it temporarily.

Retinol has a number of benefits for the skin. However, these benefits can only be obtained with the correct dosage and how to use them. Meanwhile, using it excessively or outside the advice of a skin specialist has the risk of causing side effects.

Therefore, always follow the recommended use on the product packaging label that you are using. If the skin experiences a negative reaction, stop using the product and immediately visit a dermatologist.