One of the most popular benefits of retinol is that it makes the face look younger. Substances which are derivatives of vitamin A are known to be effective in slowing the appearance of signs of aging. Not only that, retinol also has a variety of other benefits for facial skin.
Retinol belongs to the retinoid group. In the market, you can find retinol in various types and brands of facial skin care products. The types of products that contain retinol include serum, toner, or moisturizer.
These retinol-based products generally contain the active ingredient retinoic acid in low doses.
Various Benefits of Retinol for Facial Skin
Retinol is known as a miracle facial skin care ingredient because of its various benefits. The following are some of the benefits of retinol for facial skin:
1. Make facial skin look youthful
Retinol can slow down the aging process of the skin because it is able to maintain the function of the outermost layer of the skin or epidermis as a protective barrier for the body, keep the skin hydrated, and prevent a decrease in collagen production. These benefits make facial skin look younger.
2. Improve skin texture
Retinol has a small molecule so that it can enter under the epidermis layer. When in the middle layer of the skin, retinol will provide an exfoliating effect, so it is good for the skin regeneration process. Thus, a new layer of skin that is softer in texture can be formed.
3. Improve skin elasticity
The use of retinol is known to increase the thickness of the epidermis and stimulate the production of collagen in facial skin. Collagen itself is useful for preventing dry skin and increasing skin elasticity and suppleness.
4. Fade dark spots
Excessive sun exposure can have a negative effect on facial skin and one of them is the appearance of dark spots. Retinol is known to lighten dark spots and repair skin damage caused by the harmful effects of the sun.
In addition, the benefits of retinol for facial skin can also overcome melasma or skin hyperpigmentation.
5. Prevents the appearance of acne
Retinol contains comedolytic agents that can prevent the formation of blackheads or pimples on the skin. In addition, retinol can also treat acne prone skin and acne scars so they don't get worse.
Things to Pay Attention to in Using Retinol
Although it has many benefits for facial skin health, retinol cannot be separated from side effects. Generally, people who use retinol will experience side effects in the form of dry and irritated skin, especially if it is the first time you try it.
These side effects can also occur, if retinol is used in combination with other ingredients, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
In addition to dry and irritated skin, other side effects that can arise from using retinol include:
- Reddish skin
- Inflammation
- Skin becomes sensitive to sunlight
- Itchy rash
In fact, these side effects are temporary and will improve within a few weeks of getting used to using retinol. However, if this side effect occurs continuously and actually worsens the condition of the facial skin, stop using it immediately.
To reduce the risk of side effects, there are several things you need to pay attention to when using retinol, including:
- Use retinol for at least 30 minutes after washing your face
- Use retinol little by little as much as 2 times a week to increase facial skin tolerance to various ingredients in retinol.
- Avoid applying retinol around the eyes and mouth and don't forget to apply moisturizer, such as niacinamide, afterward.
- Also avoid using retinol in the morning or afternoon, because sun exposure can increase the risk of side effects.
If you are breastfeeding or have a skin disorder, such as rosacea or eczema, you should not use retinol. Pregnant women are also not recommended to use retinol, because this ingredient can increase the risk of defects in the fetus or miscarriage.
Keep in mind that the benefits of retinol for facial skin cannot be obtained instantly. It can take several weeks or even up to 6-12 months to get the desired results.
Before using retinol, make sure you choose a product that has been registered with BPOM to ensure its safety.
If you want to know more about the benefits of retinol for facial skin or have skin problems and want to use retinol to treat them, you should first consult with your doctor.