The concept of “all-in-one” might not seem appealing to women. But what if you want a quick skincare routine, and get the same effects of a Korean 10-step routine, and also makes you look like a glazed donut? (I see you, Hailey Bieber). Not just that, it’s light on the pocket too.
Retinol, as most “skin-tellectuals”( Hi Cassandra Bankson), know is an OTC formulation of Vitamin- A. It’s the only ingredient that has been proven to reduce wrinkles if used over a period of time.
What does it do?
Retinol is primarily used to treat the following skin conditions:
fine lines
wrinkles
sun spots and other signs of sun damage sometimes called photoaging
uneven skin texture
melasma and other types of hyperpigmentation
Bestie, you need tretinoin in your life
Self-care is an investment. But if you’re like me you don’t want to spend big on 30ml of a magical serum. Tretinoin is affordable and is more effective than any skincare serum out there. There’s a reason why it’s been used since the 70s and it’s not going out of fashion anytime soon.
Fear Mongering
There’s a lot of fear tied to using tretinoin. As long as you know how to use it, there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ve had worse reactions from using OTC retinol serums.
How to start using Tretinoin?
(Let me prefix this by saying that everyone’s skin is different)
I have dry sensitive skin ( and a weak skin barrier thanks to a skin condition called Ichthyosis Vulgaris, yay!). So this is what my dermatologist recommended to me:
The following steps should be done as a nighttime skincare routine.
Step 1: Start off with Tretinoin 0.025. Apply a thin layer to clean dry skin. You can also apply it over moisturized skin
Step 2: Top it off with a layer of moisturizer, and a sleeping mask if that’s your thing.
Repeat every two days, and use it for 3 months.
Once your skin gets used to it, you can try Tretinoin 0.5 and repeat the same steps mentioned above.
You may experience purging but have no fear.
My favorite skincare brand, “Minimalist” clarifies:
“Purging happens when you start using any new product or active ingredients that work by speeding up the cell turnover time. Our skin usually turnover itself in 4-5 weeks. When we start using active ingredients, it enhances and speeds up the process of skin turnover, which results in sudden breakouts and pimples. The actives loosen the gunk, sebum, and dead skin cells stored deep in your pore, causing them to surface faster. These clogs and pimples were already present on the surface of the skin and would have eventually made their way to the surface anyway, but actives expedite this process.
So is purging good? Well yes! Purging means that your skin is adjusting to the new product and getting rid of all the impurities for a new, perfect, glowy skin- it’s fast-tracking your way to clearer skin.
Though purging is completely normal and usually not lasts more than 4-5 weeks, it can be a little annoying and irritating. We’d suggest following these steps to minimize the severity of purging:
– Give your skin some time. Wait for the purging phase, and don’t stop using the product completely.
– When you’re starting with a new product, always start slow. Use it in small quantities and increase the usage as your skin gets comfortable.
– Minimize your contact with the sun and always wear sunscreen before stepping out. Harmful UV rays can worsen the purging.
Is that enough proof for you to start Tretinoin? Well. why don’t you try it out for yourself?
Photo from: Google
By Marilyn
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