A good Retinol Creme can be an extreme game changer in your skincare routine and give you that glowing complexion of the stars. However, with all the different products on the market, choosing the right one for you can be a bit daunting. Never fear, we are here to help you choose a Retinol Creme or the perfect retinol product that will boost your skin’s vitality, overall appearance, and help you to achieve smooth, more radiant skin.
Retinol: If you are going to use a Retinol Creme, and if your skin can handle it, you have to first know a few basics on what it is right? What is Retinol? Retinol or retinoids are a vitamin A derivative which are a staple or foundation for acne treatment. However, they are not just good for acne prone skin. They cover all the bases for anti-aging as well as photo aging and wrinkles. They can pretty much do everything when it comes to skin, and after broad spectrum sunscreen it is by far the best ingredient out there and this is why you hear Dermatologists raving about Retinols and Retinol Cremes so much!
What can it do:
•It will improve your skin texture, helping you to achieve smooth skin
•Decreases fine lines and wrinkles making it a great ingredient for mature skin.
•Gives significant improvement to age spots, dark spots, Hyper-pigmentation and melasma
•Breaks up skin cells making it a great treatment for Acne
Myths:
Retinoids will thin your skin.
Myth Buster: According to Board certified Dermatologist Dr. Alexis Stephens, retinoids only thin out the top later of the skin known as the “Stratum Corneum.” However, the deeper skin known as the Dermis is actually thickened by retinoids due to their ability to promote collagen. Collagen is what gives our skin the bouncy youthful healthy appearance that we are all looking for. However, collagen breaks down with time! According to Dr. Alexis Stephens, after your mid 20’s you lose about 1% of collagen per year! The only way to combat this is to promote collagen within the skin and retinoids can do this, making them an amazing ingredient for anti-aging products!
Myth: They irritate the skin
Myth Buster: Yes and no! The more pure a retinoid is, the more irritating it has the “potential” to be! To understand this, you have to understand how they work which we will cover in our “Retinal conversion”, but the retinoids found in over the counter products can be very gentle as well as beneficial and make for great starters for anyone thinking of using retinoids.
Retinal Conversion
In order to work retinoids must be converted to retinoic acid. Retinoic acid then binds to retinoid receptors in our skin, which in turn speeds up cellular turnover rate and thus, smoothing out lines, brightening dull skin, and controlling acne. The problem is that Pure retinoic acid (Found in prescription Retinols) can be too harsh for most skin types especially delicate skin. Problems arise when people try to rush results and use stronger doses then their skin can tolerate or “pure” forms of retinal, that are just too powerful for their skin. Instead, scientists developed other forms of vitamin A that had to be converted a few times before eventually turning into retinoic acid and delivering those skin-changing results. The more conversions, the longer it takes, and the gentler it’ll be on the skin. See? They aren’t as scary as many will lead you to believe and can actually benefit most skin types. To eliminate irritation just remember…start low and go slow! As Dr. Alexis Stephens would say! And speak to a Board-Certified Dermatologist if you have any concerns about retinols.
Retinol Derivatives (Types of Retinol):
Retinol- the most gentle because it has a longer conversion rate
Retinal- Retinaldehyde. Also, gentle. But stronger than Retinol
This is where you want to be if you’re starting. The top 2 are the most common that are found in beauty products.
The Tretinoin Family- Prescription. Actual Retinoic acid. More irritating to skin. Comes in strengths of .025, .05 and .1%.
Tazerotene- Tazorac. Prescription. Also irritating.
So, the key is to find a Retinol Creme or a retinol product that’s made with Retinol or Retinal and use those products over time to reverse the signs of aging or to combat acne. Be patient and don’t rush. Remember, start low and go slow! There are 3 amazing products that I love and use as a “Retinol Creme”. Even though they are not cremes they are super effective and have a safe retinol percentage to lower the risk or frequency that irritation occurs. Here they are:
Top 3 Retinol Creme Products for a Radiant Skin Tone
- Arcona ADVANCED “A” SERUM™
- Arcona PM BLEMISH LOTION™
- Arcona GOLDEN GRAIN GOMMAGE
NOTE: ALL THE LINKS ARE SAFE AND WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO THE ARCONA WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND THESE AMAZING PRODUCTS.
1. Arcona ADVANCED “A” SERUM™
Why we love it: It’s formulated with Retinaldehyde along with a synergistic blend of skin remodeling peptides that help to improve collagen making this a wonderful product to help combat aging skin and give you a more radiant skin tone. It’s meant to be worn at night as part of your nighttime routine, and it also helps to improve skin texture. Use it after you have removed makeup and have freshly cleansed skin.
Price: It retails at Arcona for $92.00 but honestly, it’s worth it since this product will last you a while. A little bit goes a long way. And remember, you’re starting low and going slow. So, there is no need to be heavy handed with this.
Pro tip: For optimal results and to stretch this product a bit further I mix about 2 pumps in my hand with my Vitamin C moisturizer and apply it with upward and outward motions. This has done wonders in giving me a glowing complexion and is one of the best retinol serums I have found.
ALL INGREDIENTS:
Aqua (Water), Glycerin*, Cetearyl Olivate, Lactic Acid (L), Retinal (Retinaldehyde), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloud Berry) Seed Oil, Perfluorodecalin, Perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene, Perfluorodimethylcyclohexane, Carnitine (L), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cyclodextrin, Tocopherol (D-alpha), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Perfluorohexane, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Chrysin, Pentylene Glycol, Sorbitan Olivate, Squalane, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phytic Acid
2. Arcona Arcona PM BLEMISH LOTION™
Why we love it: It’s formulated with Retinol along with Salicylic and Lactic Acids which makes this a powerful product to combat acne and breakouts! However, I love it because of its ability to combat discoloration resulting in a glowing complexion. That’s what I use this for. Use it after you have removed makeup and have freshly cleansed skin. It’s also a PM retinol product, meaning it’s meant to be worn at night before bed.
Price: It retails at Arcona for $56.00 but again, with any retinol product you are not going to be heavy handed. You want to apply a thin layer sparingly or use a pea size amount!
ALL INGREDIENTS:
Aqua (Water), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Lactic Acid (L), Salicylic Acid, Totarol, Retinol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Phytosphingosine, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Squalane, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sulforaphane Glucosinolate (Broccoli), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Cyclodextrin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, Alcohol (Component of Witch Hazel)
3. Arcona Golden Grain Gommage to Improve Skin Texture
Why we love it: It’s formulated with Retinol along with Oatmeal and Glycolic Acid. This retinol product is an exfoliator and since it has a combination of glycolic acid and retinol, it will aid in skin renewal with the removal of dead skin cells for an overall more healthy-looking complexion and give a significant improvement to your skin tone and fine lines.
Pro tip: When using any retinol product use Vaseline or apply eye cream to the corners of your eyes, sides of the nose and corners of the mouth to protect those areas, as they are the most sensitive areas on the face. Exfoliators can sometimes completely dry skin so follow up with a moisturizer that has hyaluronic acid or soothing Vitamin E. Hopefully we have demystified Retinol Creme usage for you and helped you to better understand what they are and how to use them.
ALL INGREDIENTS:
Aqua (Water), Zea Mays (Yellow Corn) Kernel Meal, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Meal, Stearic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Tocopheryl Acetate (D-alpha), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder*, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Retinol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Allantoin , Althaea Officinalis (Marshmallow) Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol
EXTRA TIPS:
• If you are still nervous about using any type of retinol cream then you can try encapsulated retinol. Just be sure to consult with your Dermatologist.
• Products containing Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract can help to strengthen that top layer of skin, helping you to tolerate a retinol crème.
Hyaluronic Acid
• Use moisturizers with vitamin c and hyaluronic acid after using or removing your retinol cream. Also try using a bit of Mulberry extract. Mulberry extract can calm skin inflammation. Acting as a skin lightener, Mulberry extract can be found in many cosmetic products as well as pharmacy-sold skin whiteners.