Retinol serum (vitamin A): what does it do for your skin and how to choose the right one?

Retinol is vitamin A. It is the perfect tool to combat skin aging. No matter what skin type you have, retinol serum works wonders for almost everyone. Do find out what percentage of retinol is suitable for you. Each person has a different need, depending on factors such as your skin goals or age.

What does retinol do for your skin?

Retinol is one of the ingredients you regularly see on the list of ingredients of skin care products. Not surprisingly so, because it is super effective against skin aging. Retinol is vitamin A and communicates in a very special way with the cells of your skin. It adheres to your skin cell and tells the skin cell to behave differently: like a young and healthy skin cell.

Retinol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants can be seen as optimistic little soldiers. In other words, they ensure that free radicals are stopped in their mission to make your skin look older. Fine soldiers to have, then. A retinol serum also helps in your fight against wrinkles and boosts collagen production. Existing wrinkles are less deep. This is quite unique. There are few ingredients that are able to turn back time. Scientific research shows that retinol does have this ability.

The track record of retinol serum goes even further: it works against pimples and eczema, and it reduces the discoloration of your skin. It also helps to improve the structure of coarse pores, which have come from the sun or blockages.

So all the positive properties of retinol in a row:

It makes you look younger
It works against your fight with pimples and acne
It helps with eczema
It provides a reduction in the discoloration of your skin
It makes wrinkles caused by the sun shallower
It changes the structure of coarse pores

Retinol, retinoids: what's the difference?

Retinoids is the umbrella name for all forms of vitamin A, which are suitable for the skin. Retinol is a form of vitamin A found in cosmetics and works tremendously well. This is because it is absorbed by your skin and then converted to retinoic acid. There are also stronger forms of vitamin A, but these can only be prescribed by a doctor. Think of tretinoin.

After this cheery note, an important disclaimer when it comes to retinol. Both prescription retinoids and retinol, in somewhat higher percentages can cause skin irritation. But you are most likely to have irritation with prescription retinoids. You can counteract skin irritation with retinol by using a skin care product with a calming effect. And let us at Routinely be familiar with that! Our products have been extensively tested on sensitive skin. In addition, our formula and the percentage of retinol in our products ensure that the risk of irritation is zero. This does not mean that the effect is less. On the contrary. Clinical tests prove that the products work extremely well in reducing crow's feet. Win-win!

When is it best to use a retinol serum?

When you are jumping to improve your complexion, texture, spots after acne and aging skin, the Regenerating retinol serum is a good choice. This is because the ingredient retinol works in your fight to make blemishes less visible. But also to give your skin a great glow. It helps against the accumulation of dead skin cells, which make your skin look dull.

The chance of irritation when using our products is very low, as described earlier. Nevertheless, we are always in favor of letting your skin get used to the product. Therefore, we recommend to build up the use carefully, both the frequency and the amount of the product. Especially if you have sensitive skin, dry skin, or have a date tonight. Is your skin super sensitive? Then you're better off using our Reset bakuchiol serum as an alternative.

How do you use a retinol serum?

Has your skin had time to get used to the product? Then you can use the serum in the morning and/or evening. Because your skin cells renew faster because of retinol, your skin may be a little thinner in the beginning. Do you use the retinol serum in the morning? Then always use good sun protection afterwards. In addition, retinol is also partially broken down by the sun. Therefore, it works less well. If you apply it in the evening, you're always fine.

How many drops should you apply of the retinol serum to get effect?

It should be obvious by now: it's best to start with retinol slowly so your skin can get used to the serum. Apply 2-3 drops to your face. Do not do this every night, but skip an evening each time. Only after a few weeks your face is used to retinol and you can build it up further. Do you notice - despite the small chance - that your skin is dry or irritated after using our products? Then skip several evenings or even apply it only once a week.

You can apply the serum to a problem area or all over your face. Together with another product, or purely on its own. Do you have a favo skin care product like a moisturizer? This helps to keep your skin hydrated and reduces the risk of irritation.

Happy to help

Do you have a question, you can't find your way, do you want to speak to someone: let us know, we are happy to help. Ask your question via WhatsApp or via email.