What is Retinol & How to Add Retinol to Your Skincare Routine

Retinol is really having its moment.

Chances are, you’ve heard about the benefits of retinol for your skin. This wonder ingredient can help treat acne, signs of aging, and dark spots. Essentially, if you want a clear, smooth complexion, adding retinol to your skincare routine could do the trick!

Read on to learn more about retinol, including if it’s right for your skin type and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine.

Everything You Need to Know About Retinol

The Cleveland Clinic explains that retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and is often an ingredient added to skin creams, lotions, and serums. While you can find many retinol products over the counter, prescription retinoids are available in stronger concentrations.

Benefits of Retinol

Do you need retinol? According to Today, retinol is the perfect addition to an anti-aging skin routine. That’s because when retinol is applied topically, it converts to retinoic acid by specialized enzymes found in the skin and alters the behavior of aged cells.

Some of the benefits of using retinol include:

• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Brighten skin with gentle exfoliation
• Mitigate oily skin and reduce breakouts
• Fade dark spots

Retinol Side Effects

Retinol has been known to have some side effects, including dryness, peeling, redness, and discomfort. The experts at Kiehl's explain that these side effects are often temporary and resolve once your skin adjusts to the product.

However, if you have very dry or sensitive skin, retinol may not be the best product for you.

When to Apply Retinol in Your Skincare Routine?

Retinol should be a staple in your nighttime skincare routine. You should avoid using it in the morning because it can make your skin more sensitive to sun damage. According to InStyle, you should apply a pea-sized amount of retinol after you've washed your face but before you apply moisturizer for the best results.

Do You Need to Apply Moisturizer After Retinol?

Yes! Because retinol can be drying, it’s important to moisturize after you apply it. If your skin is dry or sensitive, you can even add your retinol product to your moisturizer during application for added hydration.

Incorporating Retinol Into Your Skincare Routine

As you can see, adding retinol to your skincare routine is easy and can be beneficial to your complexion. Along with retinol serums, creams, and moisturizers, you can also find other products that help this golden ingredient shine!

Here are a few of our favorites to add to your anti-aging regime.

Restoring Night Hydrogel Face Mask

This dreamy, ultra-luxe blue hydrogel mask is loaded with anti-aging retinol and peptides to smooth fine lines. While hydrolyzed collagen and Centella Asiatica hydrate and restore your skin's youthful bounce.

Restoring Night Eye Gels

A powerful nightly dose of anti-aging retinol, peptides, and arnica extract work to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Put your fine lines and wrinkles to bed with these soothing eye gels.

FlashMasque Hydrate 5-Minute Sheet Mask

Give your skin the hydration it needs after applying your retinol serum. Our advanced masque material accelerates the delivery of essential ingredients hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5 to improve elasticity and smooth your skin in just 5 minutes.

Get Dewy With It Sheet Mask

Don’t let your skin lack moisture after using retinol products. This moisture-packed mask delivers a hit of hydration where you need it most in only 10 minutes' time!

Now that you know when to apply retinol serum in your skincare routine, you’re on your way to a clear complexion. 

Why Retinol In Your Skincare Routine Matters

Incorporating retinol into your skincare routine can have a significant impact on the health and appearance of your skin. As a powerful ingredient, it can help to improve the texture and tone of your skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promote cell turnover for a brighter, smoother complexion.

When choosing a retinol product, it's essential to look for a reputable skincare brand that uses high-quality ingredients and formulations that are suited to your skin type. It's also important to start slow and gradually introduce retinol into your routine to avoid irritation or sensitivity.

At Patchology, we believe that retinol is a vital ingredient in any effective skincare regimen. That's why we've formulated our retinol products with the highest quality ingredients, designed to deliver visible results without compromising on the health of your skin.

So if you're looking to elevate your skincare routine and achieve a youthful, radiant complexion, consider incorporating retinol into your daily regimen. Trust us, your skin will thank you for it!