01/21

This Skincare Ingredient Is Basically The Fountain Of Youth

By Adria Schmedthorst

If there is one ingredient in skincare that every single one of us should be using, hands-down it’s retinol. Yup, the little Vitamin A derivative is the powerhouse of the skincare world, and the most studied of all actives found in the products that crowd those beauty aisle shelves. But even after years of reigning as the undisputed queen of skincare, many people still wonder if retinol really is worth the hype. No worries though because we’re going to break down everything you need to know about retinol so that you can grab its wrinkle-smoothing, skin lifting, and complexion clearing power for yourself.

Retinol Truth #1

“Anti-Aging At Its Best”

Okay, there’s no real fountain of youth. But retinol is about as close as you can get to one when it comes to your skin. That’s because the retinol in your serums and creams penetrates deeply into your pores to accelerate skin cell turnover. This leaves your skin looking fresher, smoother, and more vibrant. Basically, while it doesn’t make you younger, it can make you look it.

The key is to use retinol before bed so that it can go to work as you sleep. Results aren’t instant but over approximately 12 weeks, you’ll begin to notice your fine lines and wrinkles diminishing, dark spots disappearing, and acne clearing up. Some of our fave anti-aging retinol are:

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

$822.

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol

Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream

$17.84

@taraleighrose

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream

$74

Retinol Truth #2

“Retinols Can Be Gentle”

Even though you might get some flaking when you start using retinol in your skincare, thanks to the increased skin cell turnover, choosing a gentle formula and starting slow can help you get all of retinol’s benefits, without the irritation. Apply a thin layer of your retinol moisturizer (or just a pea-sized drop of serum) at night, starting with one time per week for one week then twice a week for two, working your way up to every other night. Gentle retinol we love are:

Georgia Louise Vitamin A Serum

$130

Avène Retrinal 0.05 Cream
$62

SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream
$76

Retinol Truth #3

“It Goes Beyond Wrinkles”

Finally, it’s important to remember that even if fine lines and wrinkles aren’t a worry, retinol should still be part of your skincare arsenal. That’s because thanks to the accelerated skin cell turnover it delivers, retinol also helps to plump and brighten your skin, banish acne and breakouts, and transform your complexion. So is retinol worth the hype? Absolutely! Skin-perfecting retinol that can’t be beat:

This Skincare Ingredient Is Basically The Fountain Of Youth