Retinol is a powerhouse ingredient that is so popular right now, you won’t believe it. There’s a good chance your friends or your colleagues are all using retinol.
But with such popularity comes misinformation! We’ve compiled a list of 3 retinol myths we need to debunk so that you’ll reach your skin goals quickly.
Remember that you still need to discuss with a specialist to find what’s best for your skin!
Here is what you need to know.
Myth 1: All Retinoids Are Good For Acne
Well, any retinoid is better than no retinoid, but there are a few things we need to discuss first. For example, the stronger the retinoid, the more it can regulate your dead skin cells shed.
Dermatologists recommend adapalene because it is an oil-free, gel-based formula that treats acne efficiently and helps you get that healthy look.
Of course, if you desire the fastest results, discuss with your dermatologist for a prescription-strength formula!
Myth 2: Retinol Can Be Applied Only to Dry Skin
This one right here is quite tricky because some retinol formulas can be applied after washing your face or on bone-dry skin. Luckily, there’s a simple solution you might want to try: the time-released retinol!
Time-released retinol formulas come with little encapsulated spheres of retinol that gently break open and dive into skin after several hours. How cool is that? This sleek formula is also ultra-soluble, so it doesn’t matter how quickly you apply it after rubbing your dry skin.
Myth 3: Retinol Needs a Purge Period
The annoying irritation, breakouts, and peeling some of us associate with retinoids is, in fact, not entirely true.
There are, of course, cases of mild breakouts or light flaking (acne-prone skin) during the first two to four weeks after using retinol, but you can minimize that. It’s necessary to start slow and low!
Dr. Mona Gohara is a board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, and she recommends:
“[…] apply your retinoid two nights a week for two weeks, three nights a week for three weeks and then every other night or every night indifinitely.”
Remember, baby steps are always necessary to achieve your goal!