Close Menu
  • Home
  • Cities/Towns
    • Stourbridge
    • Wolverhampton
  • Magazines
    • Town & Village Life
    • Wolverhampton West
  • Business News
    • Stourbridge
    • Wolverhampton
  • Client Forum
    • Stourbridge
    • Wolverhampton
  • Blog
  • Promotion
    • Stourbridge
    • Wolverhampton
  • Advertise

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news updates from Local UK Business.

What's Hot

Golf & Leisure Group purchase multi-award-winning Wolverhampton golf club, 3 Hammers

9 May 2025

West Midlands’ Mayor reveals multi-million pound support package for businesses

9 May 2025

Digital transformation announced by West Brom Building Society with Deloitte and 10x Banking

9 May 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Thursday, 22 May 2025
Local UK Business – Wolverhampton
Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) LinkedIn
  • Home
  • Cities/Towns
    • Stourbridge
    • Wolverhampton
  • Magazines
    • Town & Village Life
    • Wolverhampton West
  • Business News
    • Stourbridge
    • Wolverhampton
  • Client Forum
    • Stourbridge
    • Wolverhampton
  • Blog
  • Promotion
    • Stourbridge
    • Wolverhampton
  • Advertise
Local UK Business – Wolverhampton
  • Home
  • Cities/Towns
  • Magazines
  • Business News
  • Client Forum
  • Blog
  • Promotion
  • Advertise
Health & Beauty

Retinol: What Is It, What Does It Do, and How Does It Work? by Sarah Bywater

Retinol is without a doubt the single most important active ingredient you can apply to your skin, yet many people do not fully understand what it is. If you are considering adding it to your routine, here is everything you need to know to get going.
23 March 2025Updated:9 May 20255 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email Reddit Copy Link

What Is Retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A, part of the retinoid family. It is often used in skincare for its anti-aging, acne resolving and skin-renewing capabilities. But it has so many functions in the skin, it’s nothing short of a ‘Super-Product.’

What Does Retinol Do?

Retinol is a multi-tasking powerhouse, providing several skin benefits:

It boosts Collagen production which helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles by improving the skin’s structure and strength. It speeds up cell turnover which encourages new skin cells to replace old ones, leading to a smoother and brighter complexion.

Retinol fades pigmentation by inhibiting the production of melanin reducing dark spots, sun damage, and post-acne marks. It unclogs pores, preventing dead skin buildup and therefore reducing breakouts. It can even refine skin texture, improving rough and uneven skin, leaving a softer feel. Retinol will also give UV protection; ironically most people think the opposite, but in truth a good quality daily vitamin A (Retinol) product can give UV protection. It can reduce inflammation and redness by normalising and repairing damaged skin cells. As we are continually exposed to free radical damage, Vitamin A is essential for repairing all those damaged cells.

How Does Retinol Work?

Retinol penetrates the skin and is converted into retinoic acid, the active form of vitamin A. This acid then binds to retinol receptors encouraging faster regeneration and increased collagen synthesis. Retinol works deep within the skin, making it highly effective. There are many forms of retinol and using products with more than one type of Retinol in will mean that more Retinol Receptors are stimulated, meaning improved results can be seen.

What Should You Look Out For?

Residents were also treated to a special carol concert from the children of St Nicolas School, as well as a 1940s-themed performance from The Ronnies.

Start Slowly – With a complete lack of regulation in this field, labelling on bottles often causes more confusion than help, 1% Retinol for example, means absolutely nothing to you or I, unless its backed up with a dilution figure, so you know what you’re getting 1% of. So don’t be fooled by silly, misleading information. Retinol can be highly active and therefore has the potential to irritate you skin if not used correctly. All Retinols should be started over a minimum four-week period and in most cases should only be applied at night. There are a few exemptions but on the whole evening application is recommended. Start with every other evening for two weeks, then step up to every evening. Always apply onto clean skin and after allowing a few moments for the Retinol to be taken into the skin add your moisturiser. Don’t apply Retinol without a moisturiser over the top, as this is much less likely to cause irritation. It is especially important to use a daily SPF whilst using Retinol as the initial increased cell turnover can impact your skins natural UV protective capabilities.

If you should start experiencing any negative symptoms, such as redness, itching, dry skin , this is known as a Retinoic reaction and whilst unpleasant is not usually anything to worry about, just go back a step in your regime, ie if you were applying every evening go back to alternate, or even twice a week and then slowly build back up once your reaction has settled.

Who Should Avoid Retinol?

Pregnant or breastfeeding women; whilst there is little evidence to back up that topical application of vitamin A can harm an upborn baby, the recommendation is to avoid.

People with a compromised skin barrier, ie Eczema should focus first on improving this outer layer with In-clinic treatments and Light Therapy, prior to commencing any at home Retinol treatment.

Anyone using strong exfoliants or having regular Dermaplaning, again due to a compromised skin barrier.

Finally, be careful when having any light based therapies or medical aesthetic treatments, for example, if you were having a skin peel or laser hair removal, you should stop your retinol at least 72 hours prior, but check with your medical practitioner for specific pre-treatment protocols. Also, when holidaying in a hot country it is safest to stop your retinol until your return.

Final Thoughts

Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient in skincare, but patience is key, any new skincare product will take up to 12 weeks to make noticeable changes to the skin. Combined with a good Vitamin C Serum for additional Free Radical protection, you will have a winning combination.

The key to successful Retinol use is slow introduction, low levels first, then step up and expect to have to go back a step now and then, especially if you get run down or try and step up too quickly.

For any advice on anything you’ve read today, please contact me at the clinic where I’ll be happy to help.


Get in touch on: 07890 575597 or visit: brewoodskinclinic.co.uk

brewood skincare dermaplaning laser hair removal professional skin treatments retinol skin clinic
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email Reddit Copy Link

Related Posts

Heaven Skincare – A Royal Favourite

29 March 2025

Footprints Therapy: Take the First Steps to a Healthier, Pain-free Life

23 March 2025

Revolutionary spinal programme solves chronic back and neck pain

23 March 2025

Hear better, feel better this Spring

23 March 2025
Don't Miss
Health & Beauty

Hear better, feel better this Spring

23 March 2025

Our family run, independent ‘Hear in’ clinics at Hagley, Wombourne and Rubery are dedicated to…

Wolverhampton Grammar School hosts exciting book launch with Tom Read Wilson and Ian Morris

23 March 2025

Revolutionary spinal programme solves chronic back and neck pain

23 March 2025

Your Name On Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s New Helicopter

23 March 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news updates from Local UK Business.

A great platform for advertisers to promote their businesses and services in the West Midlands through a combination of magazine and digital advertising.

For any marketing enquiries please call:

(07375) 052565

Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) LinkedIn
  • Home
  • Stourbridge
  • Wolverhampton
  • Blog
  • Advertise
© 2025 Local UK Business. Website by Studio 28.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.