Here is what you need to know about using Retinol in Skin Care:
The Packaging is Important:
Retinol is easily broken down by air and sunlight, so a jar, clear container or any container that exposes
the product to air will render your retinol worthless. To be beneficial, retinol in skin care should be packaged in tubes,
capsules or pumps that do not allow air in.
Don’t Forget the SPF!
Retinol will increase your sensitivity to sunlight, so be sure and use a
sunscreen if you are using a product with retinol. (But you are already using a
sunscreen on your face everyday, right?)
Retinol Side Effects
Sometimes when you add Retinol to your skin care regimen, the skin may become red and irritated. This will
subside over time, as your skin adjusts to it. If it is too bothersome or gets severe, cut back on your
application of retinol to every other day or every third day. When you find the level of retinol that
your skin can tolerate, you can safely and gradually increase the frequency. For more info see - Retinol Side Effects
I have researched dozens (feels like hundreds) of the top rated retinol products - the ingredients, user and industry expert reviews. I have personally tried most of them for extended periods of time. Here are my top 3 recommendations:
0.15% Retinol, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and an anti-irritant
0.4% Retinol, Vitamin E, Watermelon Fruit Extract, Algae Extract, Green Tea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Allantoin, Squalane
Retinol, Peptides, Soy Protein, St. Paul's Wort, Mulberry & Grape Extracts, Vitamin E, Squalane
Alpha Hydrox Retinol ResQ is a great inexpensive retinol, arguably the best of the inexpensive retinol products. Because it is a thick cream, it is best for normal to dry skin that is not prone to acne or blemishes.
This is almost identical to as philosophy's help me & Natural Advantage by Jane Seymour except this one has added Vitamin A & C & is one-third of the price!
This is the product I am currently using. I have oiler acne prone skin with congested pores - this is a silky lightweight serum that I prefer to the heavier creams. The retinol is also "encapsulated" - which means i is time-released and hopefully stays active on the skin for a longer period of time. I really prefer this to all the other creams and serums that I have tried.
This is a thicker cream that is best for normal to dry skin - it can also replace a moisturizer unless you have extremely dry skin. This is also micro-encapsulated - I do not know the retinol percentage, but it is very highly rated by users and industry experts.
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