FAQ and beginner’s guide to using Retinol.

Is it just me, or does turning 30 make you start getting serious about incorporating anti-aging products into your skincare routine? Well, after a quick google search, you’ll find yourself reading numerous articles about the fountain of youth/the holy grail of skincare ingredients – AKA Retinol. That must be what JLo is using, right? I wanted to see for myself what the hype was all about, so I was excited to
partner with Olay to test out their Retinol24 skincare line. I’ve spent the last four weeks putting it to the test, seeing if this powerful ingredient lives up to its reputation, and boy it does.

Here’s the thing about my skin, I always had very sensitive/acne-prone skin, but in my early twenties, I suffered from severe cystic acne. I used to believe I would need harsh products to cure it, but that wasn’t the case. I learned that gentle products worked best and eventually, my cystic acne cleared but unfortunately resulted in significant scarring – hello, hyperpigmentation and textured skin. Since then, I’ve been on a journey to find products that would help brighten and smooth my skin. A girlfriend of mine suggested I get a prescription Retinol treatment, but the over-drying meets flakiness put me off, not to mention it can get costly. After many failed attempts at drugstore versions not delivering results, fast forward three years (and a small fortune spent later), I have FINALLY found a retinol serum that’s a total game-changer for my skin!

WHAT IS RETINOL?

Retinol is a type of retinoid, derived from vitamin A. It helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, promotes cell turnover to help with skin colouring, improves texture and helps overall collagen production. In simpler terms, it helps to smooth and brighten skin.

 

HOW MUCH RETINOL CAN YOU USE?

The main thing to look for is what ingredients the retinol is formulated. The amount of retinol doesn’t matter so much as the way it’s combined with other parts. Since retinol can quickly degrade when exposed to air, sun and heat, it has to be adequately formulated to remain stable from first use to last. If you notice your retinol product starts to become more yellow over time, that’s an indication that the retinol is breaking down and will lose its effectiveness.

CAN ALL SKIN TYPES USE RETINOL?

It can be used for all skin types but must be avoided while pregnant and breastfeeding.

HOW DO I INCORPORATE RETINOL INTO MY SKINCARE ROUTINE?

Coming from someone who has susceptible skin, I always suggest a slow method. When applying at night, start with a tiny amount and then wait a few days to evaluate your tolerance and work your way from there. I decided to try Olay’s Retinol24 Serum which I apply before a very thick moisturizer at night. You only want to use retinol at night because retinol is sensitive to sunlight.

MY THOUGHTS

From the first night, I knew I was going to love the serum. It was moisturizing, went on smoothly and didn’t leave a sticky residue. After consistently using it for a few weeks, my skin looks much brighter and feels SO SMOOTH. As you may notice in the photos, I had a bit of a cystic acne breakout on my skin before I started using the product. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the scarring faded much more quickly than usual. Not to mention, that any breakout I’ve had since has been small pimples that dry out within a day or so. Honestly, the Olay Retinol24 Serum has officially made it to my list of holy grail products! And good news! The collection also offers a Night Moisturizer and a Night Eye Cream.

 

Have you incorporated retinol into your skincare routine? Let me know in the comments. P.S. A huge THANK YOU to Olay for partnering with me on this post!
Visit Olay.ca for more information!

 

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