Your Retinol Buying Guide
How to pick the right product that works for YOU!
I want to run a marathon one day, that’s 26.2 miles or 42.195 kilometers to be precise. Wouldn’t it be amazing if I just woke up one day and ran the entire thing? Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. I need to invest in this journey wholeheartedly and give it my all — which essentially means loads of preparation, training and most important of all PATIENCE.
This is exactly how you need to think about using Retinol — it’s a marathon. Just like we start with walks, then run gradually increasing the pace and frequency to reach the goal of running a marathon, using retinol is no different. The key is:
- Start low and slow — Lower concentration of retinol starting once a week, then twice a week and gradually building it up to once a day. Too much too soon will only irritate the skin and deter you from using it.
- Be consistent — Use it regularly whether its once a week or daily, DO NOT STOP. Sporadic use will not get the desired results.
- Patience — Retinol doesn’t work overnight; you’ll need to wait at least 3–4 months to start seeing results.
So why retinol? Fine lines and wrinkles, acne, uneven skin tone, pores, age spots, sun spots and pigmentation — you name the problem and retinol is the solution. Read my post on it’s benefits but more importantly the Do’s and Don’ts — even though it’s a very powerful ingredient, it can be very irritating on the skin so it’s important to know how to use it the right way.
Which retinol product to use?
- Newbies (Level 1)
- It’s your first time ever using retinol. Or you have sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea or eczema.
- Use low concentrations of retinol between 0.01% — 0.03% (If you have sensitive skin stick to these low retinol percentages for life).
- Products -
- Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol (0.01%)
- Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol (0.03%)
2. Intermediate (Level 2)
- If your skin can tolerate the low percentage without any irritation at least for 3–4 months, you are ready to move onto the next level. Of course, higher percentage means more potent but could also mean increased irritation. Move up only if you’re not seeing results with the lower percentage. For instance, if you have stubborn wrinkles, age spots,
pigmentation then it makes sense to move to a higher percentage. - Use moderate concentrations of Retinol between 0.04% — 0.1%
- Products — Paula’s Choice Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum (0.1%)
3. Advanced (Level 3)
- There is always a desire to move up to this level, since this is the most potent retinol but can be irritating as well. The rationale for moving up to this level is simple — skin can tolerate the moderate percentage and you need a higher one to tackle persistent skin issues (deep wrinkles, and other aging concerns like pigmentations, dark spots). And don’t forget to moisturize, moisturize and moisturize!
- Use high concentrations of retinol between 0.3% — 1%
- Products -
- The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
- Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment
- If your skin can tolerate a retinol you can move up to retinaldehyde, again its more potent than retinol. Try the Skin Script Retinaldehyde Serum With IconicA since it has another one of my favorite ingredients Niacinamide that helps alleviate the redness and irritation associated with Retinol usage. Check out my post on Niacinamide if you want to know more about this versatile ingredient.
- The last but not the least is Tretinoin (most potent), but is only available through prescription in the US. Don’t fret though — you can still get the desired results through retinol so go for it.
In short, retinol should be your new best friend. Start the journey now as if you are training for a marathon — go low and slow. Trust me it’ll serve you well in the long term.
