Retinol! what is that actually?
Retinol serum or retinol cream, you have probably heard or read about it. Or perhaps it is completely new to you. Retinol is a widely used ingredient in skin care and is available in all kinds of forms, from creams to serums and vitamin A supplements. But what is retinol and why should you buy retinol for your skin? And if I am going to use it, which retinol cream or retinol serum should I use and what is the best retinol cream that suits my skin. Do I apply Retinol during the day or at night and does retinol have side effects?
We will answer all your questions. We understand very well if you can no longer see the forest for the trees due to the wide range of various retinol products. At Skins Unlimited we have a lot of experience with skin care and skin rejuvenation with retinol products. We explain to you in a simple way how retinol works and how you can apply it in your daily skin care ritual. We also advise you which retinol products are best to buy so that you can get beautiful, younger skin with the good retinol creams or serums.
What is Retinol?
Retinol or Retinoids is a collective name for different types of vitamin A: vitamin A acid and retinol. Vitamin A acid is one of the types of vitamin A and has a strong effect on the skin. The most powerful Vitamin A acid is only available with a doctor's prescription and very often causes side effects and we do not recommend using it just like that, only if there is absolutely no other option. Retinol is another type of vitamin A that has less severe side effects and is available over the counter in skin care products. It is much milder for the skin, but with the latest developments certainly no less effective.
Smooth and younger skin with retinol
Do you also want beautiful smooth skin, but are you reluctant to undergo Botox treatments or other drastic treatments? Retinol is the way to rejuvenate your skin, without needles or heavy medications. By chance, a scientist in the 1980s discovered that retinol works as a skin rejuvenator, he actually did research into its effect on acne and saw that not only did the acne decrease, but the skin also looked younger.
Wrinkles develop in aging skin. This is mainly due to a change in the tissue structure of the skin and sun exposure. The skin becomes sagging and wrinkles. You will first see this on the face and neck, because they are exposed to UV radiation more than other parts of the body. The skin cells also have receptors to absorb and convert vitamin A. As you get older, the number of receptors decreases, causing skin aging. Fortunately, we can help the skin with the latest scientific developments.
How does retinol work and what does retinol do?
The skin care products with the active ingredient retinol that we recommend contribute to reducing the formation of wrinkles in the skin and delaying the appearance of new wrinkles. It adheres to existing skin cells and improves the tissue structure of the skin, making wrinkles less deep. In addition it also stimulates natural collagen production of the skin. More collagen fills wrinkles from within and makes them less visible.
Retinol also works as an antioxidant, which helps combat free radicals. Free radicals are an important cause of skin aging. With daily use of retinol you get beautiful smooth skin, reduce wrinkles and lines and slow down the aging of the skin.
What is the best retinol cream?
Medik8 R-Retinoate is by far the best Retinol cream on the market at the moment. Retinoate has not been declared the name for nothing best beauty product at Cosmopolitan's Beauty Awards. Read our next article to learn more about the different types Medik8 Retinol products.
Medik8 r-Retinoate results
What makes the Medik8 R-Retinoate so special?
Medik8 R-Retinoate is made from retinol and retinoic acid. The outcome of this is Retinyl Retionate, which has a much more stable connection and is less sensitive to light. Research published in the British Journal of Dermatolgy shows that products containing this form of retinol have many faster results show and minimizes the risk of irritation.
Ingredients Medik8 R-Retinoate
- Retinyl retionate8x more powerful then retinol
- Vitamin-C stimulates the production of collagen and elastin and strengthens the effect of retinol
- Vitamin E (antioxidant) protects against free radicals, which damages collagen
- Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin by retaining water
- Natural glycerin Attracts and retains moisture and strengthens the natural skin barrier
Medik8 Crystal Retinal best retinol serum and Beauty Awards winner
Medik8 Crystal Retinal contains the newest form of vitamin A, retinaldehyde (retinal). Retinal is converted into vitamin A 11 times faster in the skin then, for example, retinol.
This means it has a better effect than retinol. Retinal has a refining effect on the skin structure and tackles acne bacteria. Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E provide better hydration, giving you beautiful, radiant, smooth and healthy skin. Unlike other forms of vitamin A, retinaldehyde has immediate, powerful antibacterial properties. This allows it to target acne-causing bacteria; promoting a healthy, visibly clear complexion.
Benefits of Medik8 Crystal Retinal
- 8 x better results than retinol
- Reduces fine lines
- Hydrates
- Prevents premature skin aging
- Does not irritate
- Reduces dark spots caused by, for example, sun or acne
- Stable form of vitamin A, protects the skin against the sun
- Can be used during the day and at night
The best retinol serum available in different strengths
Medik8 Crystal Retinal
Prijsklasse: €60,50 tot €121.00Choose option This product has several variations. This option can be selected on the product page
Vitamin A in food
Vitamin A certainly also occurs in food. Vitamin A is found in foods such as carrot, pumpkin, tomato and liver. Remember how it used to be said that eating carrots would be good for your eyes? That wasn't a trick to get children to eat more carrots, it's really true! Carrots and many other orange and red vegetables or fruits contain beta-carotene, which is converted by the body into vitamin A and this vitamin is necessary for the production of cells in the skin and eyes. A Lack of vitamin A can even cause night blindness and hair loss. Therefore, make sure you get enough Vitamin A from your diet.
Vitamin A is responsible for good tissue structure of the skin, vitamin A renews the skin cells and stimulates collagen production. Vitamin A is also known as an antioxidant that protects the skin against free radicals. The vitamin A you get through your diet is enough to support your body in its normal functions, but if you really want to improve the tissue structure of the skin, it is wise to use care products with retinol or take nutritional supplements with vitamin A, such as Laviesage Skinbalance
Vitamin A supplementation
What is the best way to use retinol?
Products with different percentages of retinol are available. As mentioned earlier, it is wise to increase use slowly to allow the skin to get used to the effect. If you start using a product with a high concentration of retinol too quickly, the skin may react with unpleasant side effects, such as flakiness and redness of the skin. There is one exception to this and that is the Medik8 R-Retinoate. This retinol cream is 8 stronger than the most powerful retinol but without the irritation.
Are you starting with Retinol for the first time?
For the novice user With sensitive skin we recommend using a cream or serum with a low percentage of retinol, such as the Medik8 Night Ritual Vitamin A night cream, which contains 0.2% retinol. This retinol cream is very suitable due to the combination with hyaluronic acid. You may experience some redness and slight peeling during the first week, but then this will disappear quickly.
After six weeks you can switch or use a stronger retinol product, such as the Medik8 3TR with 0.3% retinol. If the skin is used to this, you can switch to it after 6 weeks Medik8 6TR and then to the strongest variant: Medik8 10TR. Don't feel like or have time for all those different steps? Then the aforementioned Medik8 R-Retinoate a solution. Although this is more expensive in price, it contains 50 ml compared to the TR serums which contain 15 ml, making the price difference a lot less.
The best Retinol products if you are starting with Retinol
Cheap retinol, don't start with it
Many of these products contain mineral oils, which can be compared to Vaseline. This is a very cheap raw material that feels soft but seals the skin, causing it to dry out over time.
The skin seems soft, but if you stop using it, you are left with very poorly maintained dry skin. It clogs the pores and can cause inflammation. Your skin becomes addicted to mineral oils, so to speak. Your skin gets a kind of protective layer, with the result that your skin no longer works, and that is exactly what we want! Cheap retinol, often available at drugstores such as Kruidvat and Etos, also mainly spend their money on marketing instead of research to supply high quality retinol products.
Does retinol help against (acne) scars?
Men tell their tough stories about their scars: “I got these when I was bitten by a shark while kitesurfing in Hawaii”. Women prefer to see clear and smooth skin. Scars are unavoidable, everyone has an accident or needs surgery. Once the wound has healed, a visible scar often remains. We also often see acne scars on skin that has been affected by acne.
A scar is an abnormality in the skin structure and can be easily treated with retinol-based skin care products. Retinol attaches to the disturbed tissue structure of the scar and rebuilds it into healthy skin. If you use a cream or serum with retinol on the scar every day, the skin will recover and the scar will become less visible. Retinol is therefore ideal for skin that has suffered from acne and softens the signs of acne scars
Retinol against pigment spots
In addition to scars, many men and women suffer from skin discoloration, sun spots or pigment spots. Retinol is also a good treatment method for these conditions. The skin is renewed and rebuilt by the retinol, so that the discolorations are barely visible over time.
We strongly recommend the Medik8 R-retinoate cream to improve the skin. Medik8 R-retinoate is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, skin with scars or pigment spots. To support the treatment of the skin with retinol, it is good to also use a nutritional supplement with vitamin A to support healing from within. Laviesage Skin Protect supports the healing of the skin and protects the skin.
Retinol tips
Retinol used to be something that could only be prescribed by doctors. It is now freely available, but it is advisable to use retinol with care. In some cases it is strongly discouraged to use products containing retinol, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding and small children. To effectively use a cream or serum with retinol, we provide a number of important tips.
- Build up retinol slowly
As indicated earlier, look carefully at the percentages of retinol. As a novice user with a sensitive, you start with a low percentage. If you are a novice user with normal skin, you can immediately choose a step higher. Don't feel like building up and want results faster? Then choose the Miedk8 R-Retionate, it is not without reason that it has been declared the best retinol cream. - Adjust your skin care to use retinol
Ingredients from other skin care products may not have the desired effect or may even irritate in combination with retinol. The retinol ensures that your skin works hard to build and improve the tissue structure of the skin. All that hard work can make the skin extra sensitive. We recommend using unscented or mild skin care products. Preferably products from the same brand and from the same line at Murad. Mixing different lines is possible, but caution is advised. Products containing benzoyl peroxide are often used for acne, but do not use this together with retinol products, because they cancel each other out. - Vitamin C strengthens the effect of retinol
Retinol works very well in combination with vitamin C because it boosts the effect of the retinol. A day cream with vitamin C will stimulate the effect of retinol, and it is highly recommended Medik8 vitamin c with SPF. But be careful, if you have no experience with Retinol, this combination can dry out your skin very much. Get good advice in advance - Clean the skin before use
Use a gentle exfoliator or to cleanse your skin and remove dead skin, such as the Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse By cleansing your skin before applying, your skin will absorb the retinol better. - Retinol and sensitive skin
Do you have sensitive skin? Then combine with Medik8 products, which are perfume-free, including the Medik8 R-retinoate. Combine a retinol product with a mild day cream and a night cream and do not scrub aggressively, but opt for a mild cleanser such as the Medik8 Gentle Cleanse . Many products are available in our webshop that go well with the use of retinol and do not irritate the skin. If you need advice, do not hesitate to contact one of our skin specialists - Protect your skin from the sun
Retinol can make your skin sensitive, so it is very important to protect your skin well against the sun. After use, do not sit in direct sunlight, but seek shade. In addition, always protect yourself during the day with a day cream with minimal SPF 30 or SPF 50, like the Medik8 Hydr8 360 days. If you do not follow this advice properly, pigment spots or discolorations may even occur in the long term. So always apply a high factor when using retinol! - Store retinol in a dark place
Not only is your skin sensitive to the sun, skin care products containing retinol are also very sensitive to it. If exposed to daylight or oxygen it may lose its effectiveness. It is therefore important to close the products properly after use and store them in a dark place. This is also why most products should be used in the evening. Your skin may be extra sensitive to the sun after using this and the effect may be reduced. Retinol is mainly found in night creams and serums. - Be patient with the results
Usually within a week you will feel that the retinol is really effective, you will feel your skin changing. But before you really see results, such as fewer wrinkles, fewer spots and pimples or less visible scars, you really have to be a little more patient. After three to five months of consistent use you can see the first results. So don't give up too quickly. Our advice is to use the products for at least 1 year, so that you can clearly see and monitor the effect of retinol. Moreover, it is not good to switch skin care products often, as the skin has to get used to it every time and can become irritated over time.
Retinol experience
We can of course tell you that retinol is a great product, but it is nice to hear other people's experiences. Because we would like to know how our customers experience our products, we have asked a number of customers to share their experience with the retinol products from our webshop. Below you can read the retinol reviews.
Chantal, 29 years old
A long time ago I read in a magazine that you should start using an anti-aging cream from the age of 25 to prevent wrinkles. Only when I was talking about it with a friend did I suddenly remember this article and decided to look for anti-aging products that suit me. I soon found Skins Unlimited via the internet and read about retinol for the first time.
Because for me it is really about preventing wrinkles and keeping my skin young, I chose Retinol. After advice from a specialist from Skins Unlimited, I opted for the Medik8 R-retinoate cream. I have been using this cream every morning and evening for about 5 months now. I noticed after just a few months that my skin felt smoother and tighter. That promises a beautiful wrinkle-free future!
Mariëlle, 62 years old
Because I had been annoyed for years by my increasingly sagging skin, I finally went to a skin therapist to find out whether there really was nothing that could be done about aging. She told me that retinol products work very well to make the skin younger. I then ordered the Medik8 retinol 3TR serum. You immediately notice that the skin is changing.
At first it took some getting used to, it seemed like it only made my skin drier, but by using a moisturizing day cream it quickly improved. After eight weeks I switched to the Medik8 retinol 6TR serum because my skin therapist recommended it. I have been using this serum for about three months now and I can feel the difference. I also often receive compliments from those around me that I look so radiant.
Retinol advice, the best retinol serum and creams for your skin
Many products with retinol are available in our webshop, from retinol serums to retinol creams. Products with different concentrations for the face or only suitable for the area around the eyes. The place where the first wrinkles or crow's feet appear is the Medik8 retinol eye TR serum. For the face there are retinol creams and serums from Medik8 and Murad.
Almost all retinol products are best used in the evening. The exception to this is the Medik8 R-retinoate and can be used both in the morning and in the evening. Skin that has just been treated with retinol can become irritated by sunlight and the retinol also loses much of its effectiveness due to exposure to sunlight. You can take a supplement with vitamin A, such as that from Laviesage, during the day. Follow the instructions on the packaging or leaflet. In short, something for everyone.
Of course you can decide for yourself what you need. In our webshop you will find information about all retinol products and you can find out which product suits you best. If it is not completely clear or you have additional questions. Then you can always ask us via the contact form on the website, by telephone or respond below the article. Of course you can also make an appointment with our practice in Amsterdam South for free skin advice. In addition, we are of course very curious about your experiences with retinol products from Murad and Medik8 and the Vitamin A supplements from LavieSage.
2 comments
Can be used immediately after applying Medik8 3TR in the evening
Also apply a night cream. These are of course 2 creams right after each other, won't this affect the effect of the retinol???
M. m.
Thank you for this clear information about retinol, super useful!