Retinol 101 - Everything You Need To Know About This Game-Changing Ingredient

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of the game-changing ingredient Retinol. An absolute buzzword in the beauty industry, retinol has been described as the holy grail of skincare. Celebrated for its anti-aging properties, retinol is a must-have amongst beauty bloggers and celebrity A-listers alike.

We all know retinol is essential for skincare enthusiasts, but what is the science behind its skin-clearing wizardry? We’ve broken down your burning questions below, so you can wrap your head around this skincare necessity.

How Does Retinol Work?

Retinol is primarily known for its powerful anti-aging properties, turning back the clock on your skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. To put simply, retinol works by speeding up the process in which your skin cells turn over and die, helping to keep your pores clear and giving your complexion a desirable plump, youthful appearance. It does this by aiding in the increase of production of your epidermal and endothelial cells (the cells that are responsible for a youthful glow).

Retinol also increases dermal vascularity, assisting wound healing in your skin and fibroblasts which are key in the production of collagen and skin repair, making it perfect for anybody who suffers from acne.

Keep reading: The Best Retinol Routine for Acne & Blemish Prone Skin

Retinol has a pretty impressive resume, with a long list of proven benefits for your complexion including:

- Stimulating collagen production

- Increasing skin firmness

- Increase of cellular renewal

- Decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

- Regulating oil production to reduce acne

- Brightening your skin tone

How Often Should You Be Using Retinol?

When you’re introducing Retinol into your skincare routine, it’s important to start slow.

Start with a small amount and apply it once or twice a week to evaluate how your skin reacts and to test your tolerance level. The key with Retinol is to slowly build-up until eventually you’re applying it every other day, or three to four times a week depending on how well your skin has adapted.

Keep reading: 3 Important Steps When Starting Retinol

Top Retinol Products To Get You Started

Ready to introduce retinol into your skincare routine? We’ve rounded our favourite products to help get you started!

Keep reading: A Super Simple, Easy Retinol Routine

Essentials Pure Retinol 0.75% in Luxurious Plant Oils 30mL

This luxe serum includes calming plant extracts for the additional benefit of a soothing effect while it works. Coming as a luxurious oil that feels heavenly on the skin, Essentials Pure Retinol is both lightweight and fast penetrating, working to rejuvenate your skin quickly. The best part of this retinol oil is that it doesn't only turn back the clock on your skin, but it also helps fix the side effects of environmental stressors such as air pollution on your complexion.

Goodbye tired and dull skin, hello smooth youthful glow.

Age Reversal Potent Retinol Serum Concentrate 1% 30mL

This magical serum is the perfect combination of everything your skin needs to shine, in the best possible way. This potent gel-serum combines niacinamide, vitamin E and plant extracts to really spoil your skin, and help your complexion reach its full potential. What we love about this combination is how quickly it works to improve the texture of your skin and reduce any signs of aging. The benefits of niacinamide, such as oil reduction and pore minimisation, mixed with the effects of Retinol combine to create a game-changing serum.

Follow Up Your Retinol With…

It's important to follow up your Retinol with a moisturising serum or lotion to prevent any dryness or infamous 'Retinol burn’. Due to the fact retinol is retraining your skin cells to turnover at a quicker rate, it can sometimes cause irritation or dryness when you’re first introducing it to your skincare routine.

Keep reading: How to Fix a Skin Barrier Freakout

Here are some products that will help to soothe your skin after you've used your retinol:

Essentials Hydrating & Healing Serum 30mL

This ultra-hydrating serum is packed with ingredients that’ll act as a big glass of water for your skin. Made with 7 hyaluronic acids, this comprehensive serum will maintain the skin’s barrier function and replenish a dehydrated complexion. Hyaluronic acid increases your skin’s ability to hold moisture to the surface, making this an ideal serum to use after retinol.

Skin Relief Bio Vitamin Oil 50ml

The Skin Relief Bio Vitamin Oil is like a superhero saver for dry skin. Made with oils that soothe and protect your skin such as rosehip oil and chamomile extract, this oil will fix any dry areas on your complexion. The combination of moisturising and protective ingredients such as patchouli essential oil, mixed with vitamins C & E works to give your skin a luminous glow.

Bonus points for the sweet scent!

Sensitive Skin Soothing Protection Moisture Balm 50ml

If you’re after a rich and smoothing balm that banishes dryness, you’re in luck. The Sensitive Skin Soothing Protection Moisture Balm is made with natural ingredients with the added benefit of anti-inflammatory properties. These properties work overtime to get rid of Retinol irritation, pronto. This balm takes Mother Nature's finest healing ingredients and uses them to alleviate irritated and inflamed skin.

Ingredients such as aloe vera leaf juice and squalane will moisturise and heal any flakey or dry spots, leaving you with a healthy and hydrated glow.

Keep reading: Which Retinol Percentage is Right For Me?