Retinol has become one of the most searched skincare terms of the last year thanks to its surge in popularity from influencers and celebs. Unfortunately, most people don’t really know what retinol is, how it works, or if it’s really as safe and effective as it claims to be.
We spoke to experts to learn everything we could about using Retinol and if it’s really a necessary part of your daily routine. Here’s our breakdown below:
What Is Retinol?
Retinols are compounds that belong to the vitamin A family and claim to provide all sorts of benefits to your skin. Retinol is reported to help calm inflammation, enhance cell turnover, and stimulate collagen production, but its safety has been questioned by experts time and time again.
It’s rumored to be an effective solution to wrinkles and aging but is it worth the risk? If you’re looking to increase your collagen production and cell turnover, it can be done with consistent use of a comprehensive anti-aging routine, however, retinol seems to be a more drastic and costly choice for many.
Where Can You Get It?
Retinol is available in two forms, over-the-counter or prescription and the biggest difference in the two formulas is mostly the strength of retinol it includes. For a prescription, you’ll require a visit to your doctor or dermatologist to get it but over-the-counter can be found in stores and online.
It’s been reported that most over-the-counter treatments leave a lot to be desired and don’t deliver the results promised. If you’re headed down the prescription route, make sure you’re talking to your doctor about any skin symptoms you’ve been seeing and ask about side effects, because there are many.
Does My Skin Really Need It?
While retinol can be a good ally in your skincare army, it can’t provide better results than a high-quality anti-aging routine. What’s worse is the laundry list of side effects from both prescription and over-the-counter retinol is enough to raise anyone’s red flags.
Side effects from over-the-counter retinol are not severe but can include stinging, burning or change of color in the skin. It’s also not safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding so steer clear if you’re a new or expecting mom. For prescription strength, the side effects are even scarier including burning, redness, peeling, and flaking,
For the safest and most effective way to treat wrinkles, stick with your South Beach Skin Lab goodies.
