Before starting to use retinol skincare products, it’s important to know what you’re actually applying to your skin. Retinol is a strong, effective skincare product that has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines – making retinol an ultimate anti-ageing skincare ingredient.
First, we’re going to talk you through what retinol exactly is, what it does and everything you need to know about applying retinol skincare products.
What is retinol?
Retinol is a type of retinoid and is a derivative of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a key nutrient in the skin cell turnover process, which makes it a very effective anti-ageing product. Besides Vitamin A, retinol products, such as the OBAGI360® Retinol 0.5, use shea butter to calm inflammation and soothe the skin. Chamomile is also added to retinol products for healing benefits, which has anti-inflammatory properties and is hypoallergenic.
What are the benefits of Retinol?
By using retinol on a regular basis, the potent ingredient will speed up the production of new skin cells by turning over drier and more pigmented superficial skin cells. Essentially, retinol helps the natural process of producing new skin cells, which makes your skin look more youthful and glowing. Retinol is the main active ingredient in OBAGI360 Retinol® 0.5, helping improve the appearance of the following skincare concerns:
- Pigmentation
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles
- Uneven skin tone
- Visible pores
- Texture
Among its many benefits, retinol is most known for its effectiveness in reducing wrinkles and fine lines. Obagi Retinol will help to increase the natural production of collagen in the skin, which improves the skin’s elasticity, and as a result, you will find your skin to be firmer, smoother and more youthful in its appearance. But that isn’t all, Retinol also stimulates the production of new blood vessels to produce, which improves your natural skin colour, giving you a luminous, and healthy-looking complexion.
Is OBAGI360® Retinol 0.5 suitable for someone who is new to using retinol?
Yes! OBAGI360® Retinol 0.5 has a low concentration and is gentle, making it the perfect product to start your retinol journey with. Generally speaking, you would want to start off with the lowest concentration and build it up, to avoid any irritation of the skin. It’s best to apply the product lightly, and start off by using it once a week, then step it up to every other night, then nightly once your skin has built up tolerance – this is a great way to experience the benefits of retinol without the irritation.
How to apply retinol skincare products
If this is your first time using retinol skincare products, it’s important to slowly build up your usage. We understand that it’s tempting to start using Obagi Retinol every day, but it’s better to start off by using it one night a week. Give your skin some time to get used to the new product, before slowly building up the frequency. If your skin is comfortable with the product, you can start using it more often.
Apply one pump of the product on your entire face and gently massage it into your skin until the product is completely absorbed. If you’re using Obagi Retinol in the morning, don’t forget to apply a moisturiser with SPF afterward. As retinol reveals newer skin cells, your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight. For this reason, it is more preferable to use Obagi Retinol during your evening skincare routine, with the added benefit that the Vitamin A and E in the product will help to neutralise free radicals during your sleep. You will wake up feeling refreshed and with smooth skin!