If you are into skincare, you may have heard people talking about retinol. Many times, they talk about it relatively quickly in a way that assumes you know what it is, leaving you possibly confused. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! Retinol is a form of Vitamin A. In skincare, it is used on a person’s skin to aid in skin cell and collagen production, clean and tighten pores, tighten around wrinkles, and make the face look fresh and awake. There are many different versions of retinol for different skin types. We will break down the different retinol products for different skin types and teach you how to choose the best retinol for your skin needs!

Determine Your Skin Type

Before you can choose a retinol, you must know what kind of skin you are working with. There are three main skin types: dry skin, oily skin, and combination skin. While dry and oily skin are pretty straightforward, combination skin refers to skin that is both dry and oily in different places, such as having an oily nose and a dry cheek. You also need to figure out if your skin is sensitive or acne-prone as well, as this can affect which products are best for you.

If you’re unsure which skin type you have, there are ways to figure it out:

Dry Skin: A person with dry skin may have red, flaky skin that appears to be cracking or flaking off. The best products to use for dry skin are creamy products that are non-foaming and contain ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, as these are important for your skin barrier.

For Oily Skin: A person with oily skin may look shiny or wet. You may even be able to feel the oil on your skin with your fingertips. The best products for oily skin are ones that will not take too much oil from your face, as removing too much can lead to dry skin. For this reason, you should avoid products that contain charcoal or sulfate, as well as clay-based cleansers. For the best results, you should use a gel or foaming cleanser.

For Combination Skin: A person with combination skin can expect to have areas of their face dry while other areas are oily. This can be frustrating, as it is a bit more complicated to choose products for combination skin. It is best to use a gentle product that won’t cause irritation in your dry areas. You may have to try multiple products to find the one that works best for you. Look for labels that claim to target combination skin.

For Acne-Prone Skin: A person with acne-prone skin will have more breakouts occurring. This can be exacerbated by the harsh chemicals that some products contain, worsening breakouts, causing irritation, and possibly causing dryness. You should use products that are creamy and gentle while avoiding products that contain harsh chemicals.

For Sensitive Skin: A person with sensitive skin may find that using anything on their skin can cause irritation and redness. For this reason, you should use a product that contains ingredients like aloe vera that will soothe the skin while avoiding harsh chemicals.

At What Age Should People Begin Using Retinol?

Retinols are great for keeping your skin looking young and healthy. For the same reason that you may take medicine when you first feel the slight signs of a headache in order to get ahead of the pain, you should also start using retinol before your skin begins to show slight signs of aging to get ahead of the aging.

The general rule is to begin using retinol for the first time in your late 20s to early 30s. This is when your skin’s collagen will first begin to break down and may need a bit of extra help.

Start off Slow and Test the Product First!

There’s nothing wrong with inching your way into using retinol. In fact, it can be beneficial to dip your toes in the water before learning how to swim. Once you get used to using retinol, you could potentially use it every day; however, when you first begin, it is better to only use it once or twice a week. Using it too much very quickly in the beginning can lead to skin irritation and redness, as your skin sometimes needs to be gently introduced to new things.

It is also recommended you test it on a small area of your skin before applying it to the entire face. This will allow you to see if it can cause any redness, itching, or skin irritation before you make the mistake of applying the product to your entire face. You should also start off with a product containing a low concentration of retinol in the beginning to avoid as much irritation as possible.

How Should Retinol Be Applied to the Face?

Use a small pea-sized amount of retinol for the entire face. It can be tempting to use more, but when it comes to skincare, an important rule of thumb to remember is that “less is more”. You don’t want to waste product, irritate your skin, or overdo your face, leaving it dry and red. Retinol should be used during your nighttime routine, as UV light from the sun can break down its ingredients, possibly rendering it useless during the day. It should be added second to last in your routine, with the last step being your face oil.

If you’re ever in doubt about the order you should be placing your products in your skincare routine, place the products from thinnest to thickest. This will give you the best results possible if you forget the correct order.

Discover the Best Retinol Products You Can Buy at Nordstrom

Nordstrom has a great selection of skincare products, including some of the best retinol formulas, and a wide range of beauty products. Here are the best retinol products you can buy at Nordstrom to make your skin look healthy and young.

The Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum is one of the most popular retinol products at Nordstrom. This powerful formula combines a 6.5% retinoid blend with nourishing botanicals to make skin smoother, firmer, and more radiant. The serum is gentle but still works, so both new and experienced retinol users can use it. With regular use, you can expect fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots to get less noticeable. The Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum is a great way to invest in the future of your skin.

The skin around our eyes is very thin and needs special care. The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic + Retinol Triple Correction Eye Serum was made to meet the needs of this area. This serum fights fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness with retinol, ferulic acid, and a mix of antioxidants. Its light texture absorbs quickly, leaving the area around the eyes looking refreshed and renewed. By adding this eye serum to your routine, you can give your face a more youthful look and make your eyes look brighter and more awake.

If you want a luxurious eye cream with retinol, look no further than the Kate Somerville +Retinol Firming Eye Cream. This cream is full of retinol and advanced peptides, which work well together to provide intense hydration and visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also makes the skin more elastic, making the delicate area around the eyes look firmer and younger. This eye cream is a great choice for people who want a luxurious yet effective skin care experience. It comes in a beautiful package and is made with strong ingredients.

Murad is a well-known brand that is known for its advanced skin care products, and their Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is no different. This serum uses a powerful tri-active retinol technology that works right away and lasts for a long time. It works to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve the texture of the skin, and make the skin look brighter. Hyaluronic acid and swertia flower extract make sure that your skin stays hydrated and looks younger. If you want a complete retinol treatment, the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is a good choice.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of how to correctly choose retinol for your skin now. If you’re new to retinol, or just skincare in general, it can sometimes come across as a bit overwhelming. There are a lot of rules and recommendations to follow for the best skin results possible; however, while it may seem overwhelming, it can be very simple. You don’t need to remember every rule about every skin type, just a few things about your individual needs. And if you’re ever in doubt, remember two very important things: apply products from thinnest to thickest, and less is more! Your skin will thank you in the long run!