Retinol - what concentration? Find out how to start and which one to choose

Table of contents

1. How will retinol help me?

2. What concentration of retinol to start with will be the best?

3. Concentration of retinol in cosmetics

4. When to increase the concentration of retinol? How to do it?

5. Can you start with a high concentration of retinol?

6. Which cosmetic with retinol to choose?

Retinol still remains one of the most effective substances used in anti-aging and anti-acne cosmetics. No wonder it is called magical or miraculous - this ingredient can change a lot in your skin. Its properties make it a popular choice for the care of mature and acne-prone skin in particular. But before you start using this miracle remedy, find out what concentration of retinol would be the right choice to start with? Will a retinol cream work better for you than a serum? How do you increase the intensity of your skin care to avoid hurting yourself?

How will retinol help me?

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, and thanks to its multidirectional action it can be used in many cases - yes, your skin will love it too. How does it work?

It improves the texture of the skin,
smooths wrinkles,
reduces discoloration,
regulates the sebaceous glands,
smooths scars.

Therefore, anti-aging and acne care with retinol is a brilliant idea! Retinol stimulates collagen production, accelerates cell renewal processes. Used regularly, it will reduce the appearance of pores, smooth the surface of the skin and improve its elasticity. When else to use retinol? Low to medium concentration can help you fight hyperpigmentation or scars. It will lighten existing pigmentation changes and improve skin texture. This is why cosmetics for acne scars not infrequently contain this substance. However, you can also use retinol when you want to give your complexion a glow. You already know that it is a substance for all skin types. However, find out how to use retinol. What concentration will be suitable for you?

What concentration of retinol to start with will be the best?

Are you starting to use retinol? What concentration will be ideal to start with? Reach for products with a low concentration, namely 0.1% to 0.5%. This concentration of retinol allows the skin to gradually get used to the action of this substance, minimizing the risk of irritation, redness or peeling of the epidermis. This process is called retinylation, and it can pass gently thanks to you. Because although retinol works wonders, it also carries risks. Skin overreaction is one of them. With regular use, however, you can see positive results, including in the delicate zone. Under-eye retinol has effects such as brightening dark circles, reducing fine lines and improving skin elasticity - but it is worth acting especially carefully in this area. Regularity is also key, to allow the skin to adapt to the new situation. Initially, apply retinol once and...wait a few days. After five days, if your skin hasn't calmed down, wait a little longer so you don't fund yourself with irritation. Reduce the intervals over time as your skin gets used to the ingredient.

Concentration of retinol in cosmetics

Cosmetics for mature or acne-proneskin often contain retinol. But they are not the only ones, after all. Creams or serums with retinol can be used by all skin types. However, these products contain different concentrations. It is useful to know which are suitable for different stages of skin care.

Low concentrations (0.1% - 0.4%) - will be ideal for people who are just starting to use retinol or want to go for cosmetics for sensitive skin with retinol. Even at this concentration, retinol promotes improvement of skin texture, acne treatment and has a preventive effect on wrinkles.
Medium concentration (from 0.5% to 0.9%) - works well for people whose skin already tolerates retinol well. If, after a few weeks of testing and use, you know that retinol doesn't irritate you and doesn't cause big defensive reactions, you can increase the concentration. It will work effectively in removing visible wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
High concentration (1% and above) - intended for advanced users whose skin is accustomed to retinoids. It is especially recommended for fighting deep wrinkles, acne scars and intense hyperpigmentation. However, don't jump to high concentrations too quickly. For the skin it can be quite a shock. Increase them gradually, after in-depth observation.

You already know what concentration of retinol to choose. Now it's time to address the issue of safely increasing its content in cosmetics.

When to increase the concentration of retinol? How to do it?

If your skin tolerates low concentrations of retinol well, after about 8-12 weeks of regular use you can consider moving to higher concentrations, starting with 0.5%. You need to give yourself time to use retinol. A lot of time. Therefore, don't rush with anything and, above all, observe your skin well. Remember also that the skin's reaction to retinol can vary, and it is not always necessary to reach for higher concentrations - sometimes better results will be obtained with longer use of products with lower content of this substance. Also pay attention to what you want to achieve with retinol? Is it just to improve the appearance of the skin and act as a preventive measure against wrinkles? Or perhaps fight deep scars? This will also help you choose the concentration and decide whether you want to increase it.

When to increase the concentration of retinol? The key is to carefully observe your skin's reaction. If you don't experience irritation and your skin responds well, you can consider gradually introducing stronger formulations. It is important to do this with caution and continue to observe the skin, introducing a new product once every few weeks. No rush.

Can you start with a high concentration of retinol?

Although high concentrations of retinol (1% and above) may be tempting with high efficacy, they are not recommended for beginning treatments. Even if you want to remove deep scars or smooth out wrinkles, you need to start at the beginning of this journey - with low concentrations. Skipping right to the end can bring a lot of unpleasantness, such as:

itching,
burning,
erythema,
desquamation,
dryness.

Retinol is a potent substance that you really have to be careful with its introduction. Pure retinol on the face will not do well during the initial applications. It is strongly recommended to gradually build up tolerance, which reduces the risk of adverse reactions and increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

Which cosmetic with retinol to choose?

On the market you will find a wide range of products with retinol. Cosmetics for oily skin or mature skin, which contain different concentrations of retinol. Also, brands such as Rodial, which are known precisely for this type of cosmetics. Therefore, the choice will not be simple at all. Focus primarily on the concentration, according to the recommendations we wrote about earlier. Serum with retinol usually will contain higher concentrations of the active ingredient than a cream. However, not always - rest assured you will find sera that contain quite low, for example, 0.3%, concentrations of retinol.

How will your skin react to retinol? It's a lottery. However, knowledge of concentrations and skillful use of cosmetics with this substance will ensure that you avoid unpleasant retinol-related consequences.