In the quest for spotless, glowing, blemish-free skin, one ingredient that steals the limelight away from the others is retinol. With a myriad benefits, retinol has become the buzzword among skincare aficionados. We’ve amped up our skincare arsenal with retinol, without thinking about or discussing its benefits. Let’s hear from a few folks who have shared their anecdotes, as well as Dr Kiran Sethi who helps us dive deeper.
“Even in the ‘80s retinol was quite sought after, although it was not cosmetically available. We could only buy it on prescription, and girls in my college would talk about its skin brightening properties,” recollects 60-year-old Parveen Nasir.
But then, boom! Retinol became the ‘it’ product, and now it’s all anyone can talk about. What’s the hype though? Well, retinol is a vitamin A derivative, and its superpower is that it speeds up cell turnover. Translation: It helps your skin shed dead cells and brings fresh, new ones to the surface. Think of it as your skin’s personal trainer, always pushing it to look its best.
Let’s be real though—does it actually work?
“A dermat prescribed me adapalene gel for my comedonal acne. The journey was painful (literally!) as my skin purged during the initial phase. But now I believe I have the best skin of my life,” says Kaveri Deorukhkar.
However, not everyone has the same experience, “I tried a retinol serum for a couple of months, but I’m not sure if it’s actually effective,” said Subhashree Pattabiraman.
(Image source: Instagram/aminu.life)
Her Circle recommends- If your expression lines are have begun to look stark, the Amaranthine regenerating Serum by Aminu is a potent one stop solution for most of your matured skin concerns. It effectively tackles dullness, hyperpigmnetation and loss of firmness all under one roof. Powered with pepetides, hyaluronic acid and licorice root extract, the serum helps improve the collagen levels of your skin making it appear firmer and radiant overtime. The texture is lightweight, almost watery and it feels super comfortable ont he skin.
But here’s the catch…
Retinol isn’t necessarily the easy condiment to your ‘skincare cocktail’, which you can slather on and forget about. You’ve got to ease into it.
(Image Source: Instagram/ Nuqina)
Her Circle recommends- If you thought skincare for matured skin wasn't compatible with skincare for sensitive skin, meet Nuqina's Earthy Grace Hydrating Serum. The water-based serum is perfect for skin that needs a little boost of rejuvenation sans the irritaton and harsh chemicals. This gentle blend of Ayurveda and active ingredients like bakuchiol, vitamin C and liquorice extract helps replenish your skin while improving it’s overall health. The lightweight serum is super absorbent and has an earthy aroma. It’s almost a whiff of nature’s goodness on a busy day.
So, why is everyone so obsessed?
It’s a one-stop-shop for all your skin concerns! Whether you’re dealing with acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, or fine lines retinol is touted as the undisputed skincare hero. It’s basically the skincare MVP that does it all. Plus, who doesn’t want to smoothen their skin texture, making it radiant and alive?
Bottom line: Should you hop on the retinol train?
If you’re looking to level up your skincare game, retinol is definitely worth a try. Just go slow, be patient, and begin with the right concentration and amount. ’Begin with 0.1 per cent and 0.5 per cent of retinol and apply these on alternate nights. Increase the frequency as your skin begins to adapt to it, and sun protect at all costs!’ says Dr Kiran.