WHEN it comes to skincare, retinol is the buzzword you’ve likely heard a million times.
Renowned for its anti-ageing powers and ability to transform skin texture, the vitamin A derivative has long been a staple in facial skincare routines.
But retinol doesn’t have to just be reserved for the face.
It can also be used (with care) on the body to ensure smooth stretches all over.
And just as it does for your face, retinol in body moisturisers helps diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your body, particularly in areas like the neck, chest and hands.
In theory, retinol makes your skin cell turnover faster.
The increased cell turnover temporarily sloughs off more dead skin cells (bye bye, dryness) and produces a lag time before the new, healthy cells (hello, glow) make an appearance.
The lag time can sometimes cause redness, irritation and a burning sensation as your skin gets used to the new chemical.
Anyone who has used retinol on their face will know the painstaking process to get your skin “used” to it.
But luckily, you don’t have to experience the same pain on your body.
One young woman has revealed how she incorporates retinol into her body skincare routine WITHOUT causing any redness or irritation.
Taking to Instagram, she shared herself decanting a full tube of retinol into her big tub of CeraVe Moisturising Cream.
“When I realise I’m gonna have wrinkles on my body because I only use retinol on my face,” she penned.
Social media sensation and dermatologist Dr Zain Husain has since weighed in on the beauty hack – and he’s a big fan.
“What I love about it, is it allows us to get the rejuvenation properties from the retinoid,” he started.
“As well as combining it with a great moisturiser cream which is easier to spread around the body.
Retinol is a major buzzword in the beauty industry right now...
Retinol is a chemical exfoliant that belongs to the retinoid family, a group of compounds derived from vitamin A.
It promotes the shedding of old, dead skin cells and the production of new, healthy cells. This process helps to keep the skin smooth and glowy by improving texture and tone.
By accelerating cell turnover, retinol also helps to unclog pores, making it an effective treatment for acne.
Regular use of retinol can significantly enhance the overall texture and tone of the skin. It can minimise the appearance of pores, smooth rough patches, and even out pigmentation.
Retinol also helps to fade dark spots and hyper-pigmentation by accelerating the turnover of pigmented cells and promoting the growth of new, evenly pigmented cells.
“This is a great hack – and dermatologist approved.”
Regular use of retinol can help promote collagen synthesis, improving skin elasticity and firmness over time.
For those who struggle with body acne, it can be a game-changer by helping to unclog pores and reduce inflammation.
If your body is new to retinol, it’s important to introduce it gradually to avoid irritation.
Begin with mixing a lower concentration in with your body moisturiser and apply it every other night, slowly building up to nightly use as your skin adjusts.
Furthermore, retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s best to apply retinol-infused body moisturisers at night.
Follow up in the day with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.
