After 25 I learned about retinol for an anti-aging routine. So I recently learned about it and its benefits. After learning about this I start to learn more about it from books, videos, and different posts. Retinol is Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble that plays an essential role in preventing wrinkles, and acne, brightening skin tone, fading dark spots, working on hyperpigmentation, stimulating collagen production, improving skin texture, fighting against aging signs, sun damage, and even skin tone, minimize large pores.
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As I am a late learner of retinol. But 20 is the best time to get wonderful benefits from retinol. To slow down your aging process it’s a very important step to enter retinol into your skincare partner. If you apply the right percentage of retinol and use it in the right way, it can solve your problems according to an increased percentage of collagen and will bring glowing effects on your skin.
Retinol has different percentages of use. I start with a low percentage (0.2%). Sometimes skin can’t tolerate retinol in high percentages, so I start from a lower percentage. Otherwise, it can react on the skin.
When I use retinol:
The best time to use retinol is at night nighttime. Because daytime use can create irritation or redness in the skin. So I use it before going to bed.
How I apply retinol:
As I am a working woman and I have to go to the office daily. So After coming back from the office at first, I cleaned my face with micellar water and washed my face with normal water to freshen up. Keep playing and talking with my child and husband. Besides this, I do household chores and cooking. After finishing my work I complete my prayer. Before dinner, I wash my face with a double cleansing method and immediately moisturize my skin. Then let my skin absorb moisturizer and dry up because retinol has to be used on fully dried skin. We have dinner together. After finishing other household chores, when my child and husband go to bed I apply a pea-size retinol on my face. I apply dropper retinol, so I take 3 drops of it on my palm and apply a dotted portion on my face with my fingertips. Furnish with tap-tap motion with fingers. Don’t rub it. After telling a story to my daughters, when my children sleep deeply I wake up and apply a heavy moisturizer on it.
How I store retinol:
Retinol is a very sensitive product. As it reacts in the daylight I don’t keep it out. I keep it in the refrigerator.
Increasing the percentage of retinol:
For the first two months, I used retinol once every week. After two months, I gave it a break. So the third month goes with a break. After the third month, I used retinol twice a week. That means in the 4th month I use retinol twice a week. But in the 5th month I will give it a break again. In 6th month I again started retinol twice a week and in 7th month it increased to three times a week. After that month I started regular use of retinol.
Why do I give a break to retinol:
Every new ingredient needs time to adjust to our skin. The same happens with me. When I start to use retinol it causes acne on my face, especially on my chin sides. Very painful acne and looks so awkward. That is why I use it while giving breaks. But slowly it healed and now it’s normal. My experience was horrible with retinol. Because that acne gives me so much pain. But after so much pain I get the benefits of retinol.
Items I include with retinol:
There is a popular method to apply retinol called the sandwich method. And another is paired with niacinamide. In the sandwich method, first, apply a light moisture and let it absorb. After absorbing moisturizer apply retinol and give it time to absorb. Finally, I apply a heavy moisturizer on it. But sometimes I use niacinamide before using retinol. And moisturizer is a must. I apply both methods to my face. Both methods give me wonderful results
Precautions of retinol:
1> Preserve retinol in a cold and dry place.
2> Don’t use retinol in the daytime. Use it only at nighttime.
3> Don’t use retinol and vitamin C in the same routine.
4> Don’t use retinol on wet skin.
5> Don’t skip moisturizer while using retinol. Because it dried up the skin.
6> Beginners, Don’t start with a high percentage of retinol. Start with a low percentage of retinol.
7> Always use retinol on clean, dry skin.
8> At the beginning, don’t use retinol every day. Use retinol once a week. If it adjusts slowly, increase uses.
9> Don’t rub it on your skin. Apply it with a tapping style.
10> Don’t be afraid if purging happens. It will be a normal situation after some time.
We all will age at a time. But we should take care of ourselves to slow down the aging process. Ignorance of self- care calls the aging fast and also because of our eating habits and our present lifestyle are responsible for this. We should take care of ourselves not only externally but also internally. Have to drink enough water and eat green veggies which contain vitamin A.