Retinoids are a very confusing subject, even for some dermatologists and skin care experts.
Retinoid is an umbrella term used by experts for skin care products that fall into this category.
Retinol is most commonly found in over-the-counter products, and Retin-A is the branded retinoid.
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Tretinoin is a generic version of retinol. Available only by prescription, isotretinoin is an oral form of retinol.
Despite the confusion and diversity of terms used to refer to products, they are very useful, widely considered by consumers, and recommended by experts.
California skin expert Ananda Fidani said Retin A and sunscreen are “golden” products when it comes to anti-aging. (Ananda Fidani)
“Retinoids are great medicines and there are many reasons to use them,” Ananda Fidani, founder and skin expert of Rivier Aesthetics in California, told Fox News Digital.
“Although it has many therapeutic uses, retinol’s primary use is in the treatment of acne and skin conditions.”
Vitamin A-based products, including retinol and retin A, are used to treat skin precancerous conditions, anti-aging, acne, and more.
“In the case of acne, it reduces the production of oil glands called sebum,” says Fidani. “Due to oil gland rejection, pores appear smaller and collagen production increases.”
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According to the Cleveland Clinic, collagen is a protein that makes up 30% of your body’s enzymes.
As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, and bad habits like sun exposure and smoking accelerate the collagen loss process.
As a result, the skin loses its elasticity and develops fine lines and wrinkles.
“It’s important to consult your doctor or skin care professional before using retinoids,” said one skin care expert. (St. Petersburg)
For this reason, it is common, especially among women, to adopt skin care routines that promote collagen production in the body.
“Retin A makes your skin look brighter and gorgeous,” Fidani said. “It’s important to know that your skin doesn’t get thinner over time. It’s a great way to anti-age because you’re storing collagen.”
Despite recent revelations through social media, retinoid products are safe for young consumers, she said.
“It’s absolutely safe to use Retin A for acne when you’re young,” Fidani says. “But you have to use it correctly, and that’s the most important thing. You can use it to get beautiful skin even in your early 20s to late teens. As long as you stay safe and are well-educated. enough.”
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She advises retinoid users to be careful when introducing these products to their skin. Start by using it once or twice a week at night, she said.
Then, once your skin gets used to the product, use the product again in the evening for 5 to 7 days. It is important to use the product at night, as exposure to UV light can inactivate the ingredients.
One skin care expert says consumers should also be aware that retinoids can make the skin more susceptible to sunburn. (St. Petersburg)
Users of retinoid products may experience redness, irritation, slight peeling, and stinging.
“Getting stung is kind of normal, so unless you’re in serious pain, get over it,” Fidani said. “However, it is important to consult your doctor or skin care professional before using retinoids.”
Consumers should also be aware that retinoids can make the skin more susceptible to sunburn.
“When you’re young, it can seriously damage your skin,” she says. “the important thing is apply sunscreen When using Retin-A. Also, avoid waxing your face as it makes your skin a little damaged and sensitive. ”
Fidani said the “golden rule of anti-aging” is a simple combination of Retin A and sunscreen.
Users of retinoid products should also refrain from waxing their eyebrows and lips. But Fidani said threading her eyebrows is fine.
She also suggested that women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not use retinoid products.
As for where to incorporate retinoids into your regime, Fidani recommended starting with your thinnest product to your thickest.
Users should be informed that using too many products at once can not only lead to excess, but also have the benefit of each product counterproductive. (St. Petersburg)
“I cleanse first, then use a serum or toner,” she said. Fidani says she likes to make a paste with retinol and moisturizer.
Then, after application, apply more moisturizer before applying to the sheet. “I like to use Retin-A to dilute my moisturizer.”
However, users must be informed that using too many products at once may not only be excessive, but also impair the benefits of each product.
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“Retinoids are inactivated by benzoyl peroxide,” she said. “In a general sense, these should not be used together. If you use too many products, you can experience skin irritation. I call retinoids the bully on the block. This means that retinoids fight other things, which means they are reactive.”
One skincare myth that Fidani said she was determined to debunk was that retinoids thin the skin, something she said she “heard” all the time.
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Fidani said this is absolutely not the case.
“The dermis thickens,” she says. “The top layer, the epidermis, is shed, but the skin does not become thinner. The skin automatically renews itself.”
Fidani said the “golden rule of anti-aging” is a simple combination of Retin A and sunscreen. And for those looking for a plant-based solution like a retinoid, Fidani recommends bakuchiol.
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