What Does Retinol Do for Your Skin?
You’ve heard great things about it, but what does retinol do for your skin? One of the greatest facets of retinol is its ability to treat multiple skin concerns. Most dermatologists would agree that retinol is a skincare staple. Whether you’re dealing with fine lines, acne, hyperpigmentation, or dull, lackluster skin, retinol can help.
Here’s everything you should know about retinol, including what does retinol do and the best retinol treatments your skin will love.
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a popular skincare ingredient that’s been clinically proven to help with acne, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and uneven skin texture. It is a form of vitamin A that you can buy over the counter. However, you can also get higher concentrations of retinoids that are only available with prescription.
Retinol is a topical treatment with powerful anti-aging benefits. It comes in several forms, including serums, creams, gels, ointments, and lotions.
What Does Retinol Do for Skin?
Retinol is a type of retinoid that increases skin cell production and boosts collagen production. By increasing skin cell production, retinol can help unclog pores and prevent acne while giving skin a smoother, brighter appearance. It can also fade dark spots and discoloration over time with continued use.
By boosting collagen production, retinol creates a plumping effect on the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also restores elasticity for skin that looks and feels firmer. This is why retinol is highly praised for its anti-aging effects and studies even show how effective this ingredient can be for treating visible signs of aging.
Retinol is made up of small molecules that penetrate deep beneath the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) to your dermis. Once it reaches the dermis, retinol works to neutralize free radicals, which can help reduce oxidative stress and protect the skin from premature aging and damage.
What does retinol do? To sum up, retinol boosts collagen, elastin, and cellular turnover, helping to improve skin tone and texture, and combat acne and aging. It is an extraordinary ingredient that belongs in your skincare routine. From fine lines to wrinkles, clogged pores to acne, dark spots to roughness, retinol works for all.
Shop Retinol Skincare
Here are some of the best retinol products for achieving smooth, glowing, and acne-free skin. We have options for both your face and body.
Vegan Collagen Booster Set
SHOP NOW
Firm up, soften wrinkles, and tackle acne in five easy steps. Truly’s Vegan Collagen Booster Set is developed with retinol, vitamin C, and plant collagen booster to brighten, smooth, and clarify your entire face and body. Comes with a free luxury trunk with a value of $250.
Dulce De Leches Routine
SHOP NOW
Delicious and dessert-inspired, Dulce De Leches targets your breasts and belly with a combination of firming ingredients such as retinol, guarana, and hyaluronic acid. It’s also enriched with coconut milk and cocoa butter to leave skin soft and supple. Smells just like warm caramel.
Boobie Routine
SHOP NOW
The TikTok-famous boobie line everyone loves! Truly’s Boobie Routine features a boob polish, serum, and cream powered by retinol and acai to perk up your pair while smoothing out creases. With the sensual scent of succulent blackberry. Psst..this routine has been clinically proven to show results within 4 weeks of daily use.
What Does Retinol Do for Acne?
Retinol can be beneficial for acne in a number of different ways. Here’s exactly what retinol does for acne.
- Unclogs Pores: One of the main causes of acne is the clogging of pores by dead skin cells, excess oil (sebum), and bacteria. Retinol promotes the shedding of dead skin cells and encourages the exfoliation of the outermost layer of the skin. This process helps to prevent the buildup of dirt and impurities in the pores, reducing the formation of acne comedones (whiteheads and blackheads). Besides preventing breakouts, retinol also makes pores appear visibly smaller.
- Reduces Inflammation: Dealing with angry, red pimples? Retinol has anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm redness and irritation associated with acne. It can also inhibit the production of inflammatory molecules in the skin.
- Promotes Skin Cell Turnover: Retinol accelerates the turnover of skin cells, which means that it helps new, fresh skin cells replace old ones more rapidly. This can contribute to smoother skin and a reduction in acne lesions. It can also fade hyperpigmentation and gradually fade acne scarring.
What Does Retinol Do for Wrinkles?
Retinol is mostly known for its anti-aging effects on the skin. With regards to what do retinol do for fine lines and wrinkles, here’s what you should know.
- Increases Collagen Production: One of the key factors in the development of fine lines and wrinkles is the loss of collagen, a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin. Retinol promotes collagen production in the skin. This, in turn, helps to firm and plump the skin, softening the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Stimulates Elastin Production: Through its ability to promote collagen production, retinol supports the production of elastin as well. Increased collagen in the skin provides a supportive matrix that helps elastin fibers function optimally. This can enhance the skin's ability to "snap back" into place and improve overall elasticity.
- Spurs Skin Cell Turnover: Retinol accelerates the rate at which skin cells turn over and shed. This process helps to slough off the top layer of dead skin cells, revealing fresher, smoother skin beneath, leading to a more even skin texture and a reduction in the depth of wrinkles.
- Reduces Hyperpigmentation: Retinol can help fade dark spots and discoloration, which are often associated with aging skin. By promoting the shedding of pigmented skin cells and encouraging the growth of new, evenly pigmented cells, retinol can improve overall skin tone and reduce the appearance of age spots.
Is it Good to Use Retinol Every Day?
Retinoids work best when used daily. However, if it’s your first time using retinol or you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to limit it to once every two to three nights. Otherwise you could experience redness, dryness, and irritation. Once your skin adjusts, you can increase to daily use. Just pay close attention to how your skin reacts to avoid any unpleasant side effects.
How Long Does it Take for Retinol to Work?
It depends on what you’re using retinol for. For brightening effects, retinol treatments can work in as little as just a few days due to retinol’s resurfacing effects. While for acne, it can take a little longer. Experts say it can take several weeks before you see an improvement in your acne. As for wrinkles, it can take three to six months of regular use before wrinkles become less noticeable.
Dermatologists recommend keeping retinol in your skincare routine unless you’re experiencing unpleasant side effects, in which case you can take a break. The best results from retinol take six to twelve months.
What Does Retinol Do and Do You Need it?
With regards to what does retinol do, it can do a lot. By boosting collagen and elastin, retinol helps to treat premature signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. And by speeding cellular turnover, the vitamin A derivative works to unclog pores, treat and prevent blemishes, and even improve the look of acne scars.
If you are looking for an effective treatment for acne, wrinkles, uneven skin tone or texture, retinol is an excellent option. With consistent use, retinol can significantly improve the look and feel of your skin.
Now you know what does retinol do. Why not give it a try for yourself? Stock up on the bundles above and start reaping the benefits of retinol!
Watch our how to get smooth skin video:
