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A good skincare routine is one of the best ways to ensure that you maintain an ageless complexion even as you grow older, protecting against damage and loss of elasticity while simultaneously fighting existing fine lines and wrinkles. There are plenty of important ingredients to include in your daily skincare lineup, and from sunscreen to vitamin C serum they all play an important role in keeping signs of aging at bay. All of these products are valuable in their own right, but there is one skincare ingredient in particular which can make a profound difference in your complexion, minimizing existing wrinkles and promoting elasticity in your skin so you can boast your most youthful complexion at any age.
Most people begin to use retinol once they’ve already begun to show visible signs of aging, but the truth is that the younger you start using retinol, the better chances you have at preserving a smooth complexion and keeping the development of wrinkles at bay. “Retinol is a specific type of retinoid, a derivative of Vitamin A. It is a key nutrient in the body for cell turnover,” explains Dr. Howard Sobel, founder of Sobel Skin and Attending Dermatologist and Dermatologic Surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. “Using a retinol can increase collagen production and skin cell turnover, help treat acne, clogged pores, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, as well as even out skin tone.”
Retinol works by penetrating the surface of the skin, neutralizing free radical damage and promoting the production of collagen which is responsible for the elasticity of your skin. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in your body, but as you age you begin to produce less of it, so a retinol serum can be useful in sparking production in order to maintain the existing appearance of your skin. Not only this, but retinol also functions to essentially plump the surface of the skin, over time reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You may start retinol at a younger age as an effective treatment to acne, but even as you age it can have profound benefits for anti-aging purposes.
If you haven’t begun to see signs of aging appear on your skin, this is precisely the time you should begin to use retinol. Not only does it keep wrinkles at bay, but it can even help smooth out your skin tone so your complexion looks all-around smoother and well maintained. “Start introducing retinol slowly into your routine about 2-3 times a week. After a few weeks you can start using it almost every day, but skip the day before exfoliating,” warns Dr. Sobel. “Use your retinol at night after your moisturizer. Anyone at any age can use it, even if you don't have wrinkles yet, as it's preventative.”
You may find that when you first start using retinol your skin can be sensitive to the formula, and you might suffer from some redness and irritation as you adjust. This is perfectly normal and will clear up with time, revealing brighter, more even skin. “Retinoids are very healthy for the skin but can be initially drying or irritating for patients with rosacea or sensitive skin. Once you build tolerance to your retinoid (a process known as hardening) you can add other ingredients to your regimen like vitamin C,” suggests MD Susan Bard.
In order to get the best results, start your retinol application in the evening and follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to prevent any peeling that the retinol may initially cause. In addition, Bard warns to always wear sunscreen with retinol, as it can increase photosensitivity and potentially expedite sun damage. While integrating anti-aging products into your routine as you grow older certainly has its benefits, it’s going to be the preventative use of retinol in tandem with sunscreen which will offer the best results for an ageless appearance.
