8 retinol beauty buys for beginners | Cosmopolitan Middle East

After a certain age – hello mid-30’s, skin’s cell regeneration slows down which is when you may notice dull skin, fine lines and wrinkles but all is not lost. Powerhouse ingredient, Retinol can help turn back the hands of time to give you a youthful and somewhat flawless complexion. This superstar ingredient is touted by top derms as the most effective anti-ageing and skin transforming component.

As a derivative of prescription Retinoid or better known as Vitamin A, Retinol is an over-the-counter smoothing, brightening, firming and acne-fighting formula that can take your skincare game to the next level. Brimming with some serious skin-loving benefits, Retinol can help prevent wrinkles, brighten skin, treat acne and dark spots for a visibly fresher and flawless complexion.

Retinol isn’t only for those in their 30’s – it can also be used as a preventative measure in your 20’s too! How it works is that it increases cell turnover which in turn boosts collagen and elastin production, so skin looks youthful and plump. Along with anti-ageing benefits, retinol helps balance sebum production which makes it ideal for oilier or acne-prone skin.

While the ingredient is said to have some shortcoming like dryness, peeling or skin irritation, these side effects can easily be avoided if you pick the right formula as well as strength for your skin-type and give the formula time to work its magic.

When trying to find the right Retinol formulations, try to look out for retinyl palmitate if you’ve got seriously dry or sensitive skin, whereas for normal skin all types of retinol or retinaldehyde work well and adapalene is generally recommended for those with oily or acne-prone skin that want to combat spots whilst evening out complexion.

The best way to use retinol is to incorporate it into your night-time skincare routine as the ingredient is known to make skin more sensitive to sunlight. Although sunscreen should be top priority in your everyday routine, it’s crucial to include a minimum of SPF30 sun protection when using any type of retinol.

Here our picks of the best retinol beauty buys to get you started…

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