How To Use Retinol In Your Skincare Routine (and why it matters!)

A few years ago, it was Vitamin C—now, everyone’s talking about retinol. This skincare product has serious star power, and it’s appeared everywhere from TikTok to Vogue. But despite having a bit of a moment, retinol can still be mystifying. From how to use retinol to why retinol matters, there are all kinds of questions surrounding this product that stump even the most dedicated of skincare girlies. Luckily, ELLA is here to clear it up. Here’s how to use retinol in a skincare routine

What is retinol?

We mentioned the Vitamin C craze a minute ago—well, it turns out that retinol and Vitamin C have a bit more in common than just being cult skincare products. Retinol is a compound derived from Vitamin A. It’s part of a group of compounds called retinoids, many of which are used in skincare.

Retinoids have different uses and strengths, but retinol is certainly the best known, and the most commonly available type. It’s gotten popular for its ability to treat the look of aging skin and its effectiveness on acne. Stronger retinoids tend to be available over the counter by prescription (for example, retinoids used to treat problematic acne).

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The benefits of retinol

You don’t achieve celebrity status without good reason! Retinol’s anti-aging and anti-acne properties are a big reason for its fame. Here are some of the main benefits of retinol, and why they matter for people learning how to use retinol.

Retinol’s anti-aging properties

Retinol is most famous for its anti-aging properties. It helps to treat fine lines and wrinkles on aging skin, but it can also help to prevent them, and some people use it preventatively. However, as topical retinols can have some side effects on young skin —including redness and itching—it’s a good idea to consult your doctor or dermatologist before beginning a course of retinol. Different forms of retinol are available, and this anti-aging skincare product can come in creams, gels, serums and lotions. It’s important to find the right form for you.

Retinol’s anti-aging properties come from its ability to target and encourage skin cell production. This product can help clear dead skin cells off your skin while unclogging your pores. It penetrates the top layer of your skin, boosting the middle layer’s production of elastin and collagen This helps make fine lines and wrinkles look smoother, making your skin appear fuller and younger.

How retinol helps exfoliate skin

You may associate exfoliation with gritty facial scrubs that make your face feel all soft and fresh—and yes, those are exfoliants! But they’re not the only way to remove dead skin cells from your face. There are actually three categories of exfoliant; facial scrubs are a physical type. The two other types are enzymatic and chemical exfoliants. 

The twist you weren’t expecting? Retinol doesn’t fall into any of those three categories, because retinol doesn’t actually peel away the layers of dead skin. Retinol works by boosting skin cell production, which creates faster cell turnover. Essentially, the answer to how retinol works as an exfoliant is simple: it just generates new skin cells faster.

Retinol’s brightening properties

The cell regeneration encouraged by retinol isn’t just for acne and fine lines; retinol can also help your skin look brighter by fading dark spots and correcting UV damage.

How to use retinol in your skincare routine

Retinol is best used at night, as it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. If you’re using a retinol-based cream, here’s how to incorporate retinol in a night-time skincare routine:

Using retinol in your night-time skincare

• Wash your face using your go-to cleanser and toner
• Apply retinol face cream. Allow it to penetrate your skin
• In the morning, do you usual skincare routine, and make sure you apply sunscreen to protect your face from UV rays.

Using retinol can take some time to get used to, and many experts recommend introducing it into your routine little by little, starting with only a couple of days per week. ELLA’s 2% retinol night cream  can be a great way to get the benefits of retinol in your skincare routine to help correct fine lines and fade dark spots. It’s also enriched with antioxidants and essential oils, moisturizing your skin and soothing you into the perfect relaxed state to sleep.

Using retinol in a skincare rotation

Whether you’re slowly introducing retinol-based skincare products in your routine or you’re just skin-cycling (LINK TO: https://www.vogue.com/article/skincycling-tiktok-trend), there are plenty of skincare products you can use to complement or replace retinol in your night-time routine.

Retinol skincare complement 1:

ELLA’s Soufflé salt scrub  Still feel like you need a good physical exfoliation? Ella’s Soufflé salt scrub is a luxurious natural salt scrub that will transport you with its rich smell and velvety texture. Enriched with vitamins and minerals, it will help you rinse off the day and prepare for a restorative sleep.

Retinol skincare complement 2:

AHA Fruit toner  Our retinol cream isn’t the only affordable skincare product that can help brighten your skin. Our AHA Fruit Toner is a can’t-miss part of any regular antiaging skincare routine. Fortified with organic lemon peel extract, it’s a great ingredient to get smooth, soft and young-looking skin.

Retinol skincare complement 3:

AHA fruit milk cleanser Ready for another AHA moment? Our AHA Fruit milk cleanser can help treat sensitive skin and skin with sun damage; it’s also a great cleanser for helping your skin look younger and more rejuvenated.

Feel ready to use retinol in your skincare routine? Discover ELLA’s retinol night cream for yourself, and explore our vitamin- and essential oil-enriched collection of night and daytime skincare here 

Remember: luxurious skincare is for everybody! At ELLA, we believe that every day can be a spa day, and that top-notch skincare should be part of your basic self-care. Appreciating YOU is one of the best ways to make sure you’re ready to face the world, every day (and every night!).

That’s all for this week, and this is ELLA signing off. Check out our other blogs and discover all our luxurious affordable skincare products for yourself.

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