Slow and steady for anti-aging retinol

Health, Beauty and Lifestyle with Denise McNamara

For a long time now, retinol has been considered the gold standard of anti-aging skincare ingredients.  Made from vitamin A, retinol works under your epidermis or first layer of skin, to primarily boost the production of collagen.

Dermatologists and beauty therapists will swear by its benefits: namely reducing the appearance of wrinkles and stimulating the production of collagen, while helping to increase the speed of cell turnover, reducing the appearance of discolouration and acne, and smoothing out the look of fine lines.

Retinol is less powerful than a prescription-strength retinoid, but it converts to retinoic acid in the skin so it packs a punch.

For women – and men – in their mid to late 30s it is an ingredient to consider investing in if you are keen to keep your skin youthful and glowing.

But it can be daunting incorporating retinol into your skincare routine when you are using it for the first time or have been turned off it due to incorrect use.

That fear has even been given a name: retinophobia, due to the potential side effects. There are countless stories online about the dreaded retinoid response – namely peeling skin, red blotches and chronic dryness as a result of trying it out.

So how often should you apply retinol?

While it can be used on a daily basis, most therapists recommend using it no more than twice a week for at least a fortnight in order to micro-dose in a slow and steady retinol-application approach.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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