The Star Ingredient: Retinol

Today we have a guest on the blog—the superstar of cosmetics, the gold standard for any dermatologist and dermocosmetics expert.

For me, without a doubt, retinol and retinoids in general are ingredients that should be present in—almost—every skincare routine.

With strong scientific evidence backing them, retinoids can actually change how cells behave so they start working and improve the quality of our skin on every level.

Retinol is the most common type of retinoid on the market, but it belongs to a large family of retinoids:

Retinoic acid (tretinoin) 🡪 Retinaldehyde (Retinal) 🡪 Retinol 🡪 Retinol esters (e.g., retinyl palmitate)

Retinoic acid: This is a medication, not a cosmetic. It requires a prescription and can be used orally or topically. It is considered 10 times more potent than retinol.

Retinaldehyde: Needs to be converted into retinoic acid to “give orders” to our cells. It’s less potent than retinoic acid but twice as potent as retinol. Much less irritating than retinoic acid. This active is difficult to formulate, unstable, and expensive, so there are fewer products with it on the market.

Recently, encapsulated retinol has been used in many products—like in our Night Serum—which makes a big difference compared to non-encapsulated retinol:

• Improves stability in the formula, keeping it more “intact” and potent for longer
• Enhances penetration
• Minimizes irritation it might cause on the skin

What can it do for your skin?

Retinol has tons of benefits, friend—once you read this, you won’t be able to stop trying it ;)

• Regulates sebum production, controlling excess oil

• Thickens the skin by stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis, making skin look firmer, plumper, and more toned

• Improves wrinkles, fine lines, and firmness

• Acts as a depigmenting agent, reducing those annoying dark spots

• Provides gentle exfoliation, enhancing radiance

• Teaches your skin to stay hydrated on its own and become more resilient.

How to use it?

Generally used at night, after cleansing, on completely dry skin. You can apply it alone, or if needed, follow with a moisturizer—but wait 5–10 minutes before applying moisturizer.

It’s not recommended to mix it at the same time in your routine with AHAs, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or Vitamin C.

If you haven’t tried it yet but are already in love like me… don’t miss out on our Night Serum, with 0.3% encapsulated retinol + 1% bakuchiol.

It’s our star product and multifunctional—you won’t need anything else! ☺

Big hug, see you at @twopolescosmetics & @partners.incream

Anna

xx