How many of you have sat on your couch watching commercials about skin care products and thought to yourself, does that really work? Truthfully, some can but it really depends on the quality of ingredients in the products themselves and the chemical makeup. That is why I am such a big fan of the Skinceuticals line of products that I offer.
The issue that I have seen recently is that there are a lot of products and their ingredients that people just don’t know a lot about or how to effectively use them. I always recommend to all of my clients that they review the active ingredients if they have any questions to make sure that they know exactly what to expect when using that product. Knowing what is in your product is only half the battle though. It is just as important to know the proper application of that product to ensure the best results that you desire.
One of the most important popular products that I sell in the Skinceuticals line, are the 3 different strength Retinol creams. These creams can help with acne, pigmentation, texture, and even fine lines and wrinkles. The benefits aren’t limited to just those conditions, but it is imperative that these creams are used in the correct way. Below you will find the tips and procedures that I have found work the best!
✔️Always begin with a lower strength retinol and work up to a higher strength one overtime as needed. Just because one retinol is higher strength than another does NOT mean it’s always better for your skin. I recommend starting with Retinol .3 which is available @skincarebycalie and increasing to .5 & 1.0 in the future.
✔️Retinol should only be used in the evening following cleansing. Apply a pea size amount mixed into your moisturizer 2-3 nights out of the week and work up to nightly as tolerated. I suggest using your other active ingredient products on your off nights from retinol, it’s always a great idea to alternate them to prevent irritation.
✔️Slow & steady wins the race with retinol. At first your skin can tend to be dry and even something called “purging” can happen (meaning it’s an active ingredient which triggers cell turnover). All is totally normal, keep in mind products can take up to a few weeks for your skin to adapt to.
With any product you should never start using it without first consulting with a doctor or your esthetician to go over any risks no matter how minor they may be. In the case of Retinol, I do want to point out that this product CANNOT be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you fall into that category, there are a lot of other pregnancy safe products that you can use and I would be happy to go over all of them with each of you during an appointment.
Obviously, results are based on a lot of different factors but these products can do wonders to help those of you struggling with skin issues. Following these steps is crucial for Retinol creams to work properly. No matter what you are dealing with, at home regimen and in office visits go hand in hand, but proper use of Retinol will go a long way in your road to healthier skin.
