We all want to wake up with glowing skin. How can we make sure this continues to happen throughout life? Your best bet is Retinol. There are so many Retinoids available at the moment, the most common being Retinol (Vitamin A skin care). As one of the most used and understood anti-ageing skin care products it’s no wonder. Which is right for you though? That’s a whole other issue. Retinol skin care works by increasing collagen production and stimulating the production of new blood vessels in the skin. Both results are obviously going to do you good, even without the years of research behind them to prove it.
The reality is though, that patience is required with Retinol skin care.
They can take between six and 12 months of regular use to show the most amazing anti-ageing results. This can feel like a long time to dedicate towards your skin care routine, before you see the benefit. Rest assured there are countless studies to show this dedication is worth your while. When it comes to anti-ageing, it will lighten pigmentation, reduce wrinkles and improve your skins texture.
There is a flip side to Retinol skin care though. They can cause dry and irritated skin. Also leaving it more vulnerable to sun damage. This is why you should always start using them every few days in the evening and build them up to nightly use over time. It’s also essential to use sun protection daily so you don’t undo all your hard work! There are a range of strengths in Retinoids, with Retinol being a gentler version. Even with Retinols, there are varying strengths, starting with low percentages and increasing for those who’ve used them for longer. When you’re looking to start out, choose the version with the lowest % and slowly upgrade your products % as you run out. Our Medik8 brand have the largest range of strengths and delivery systems available. A handy hint is to use AHA’s in your skin care as well as Retinol. This can enhance your skin smoothing results… always a good thing!
Most decent skin care brands will provide at least one Vitamin A option.
Understand Vitamin A options have been created with a brands whole range in mind, check out our full selection of Vitamin A to see which matches your brand of skin care. So, often there’s a few strengths available, and also an AHA cleanser with a decent sun protection too. Make sure you’re trying to be consistent with the range of options if you want to see these changes in your skin down the track.
We’ve reviewed the Retinol options that we use so you can get a feel for the differing brands. Keeping in mind you want to start gentle and build up to something stronger in the future. You can even have Vitamin A infusions professionally applied that can jump start your results. If there’s a product you particularly love in our store, I recommend leaving a product review so that others can benefit, as it is a long term investment!
Meg’s Retinol Skin Care Review
“A lot of you may already know what big fans all of us here in the clinic are of Osmosis’ Vitamin A, Calm, and doing this review was going to be challenging because that is the one that most of us love, use and recommend, BUT!! I have recently upped my Vitamin A game people, and I am using two Vitamin A’s!! Yes…two!!!!
Not only am I using the Osmosis Calm of an evening, but I have also been using Medik8’s Night Ritual Vitamin A.
What is it?
It’s a night moisturiser that contains retinol (Vitamin A). Aside from Vitamin A, this cream also contains Vitamin E and Dragon Fruit Extract.
What does it do?
Just to remind you, Vitamin A is for resurfacing and speeding up how quickly our skin cells turn over. It also helps to regulate sebum production, fight fine lines, decongests pores and balances an uneven skin tone.
Vitamin E and Dragon Fruit are antioxidants that not only fight free radical damage, but also moisturise and smooth.
This Night Ritual cream uses slow release technology, meaning that the retinol is ‘drip fed’ into your skin, so that even those with sensitivities may be able to use this without irritation.
How to use it:
Apply a macadamia sized amount and massage all over your face and neck of an evening and as the last product you apply (other than eye cream). As this contains retinol, it is best to avoid the eye area.
What does it feel like?
It’s super creamy, thicker like a night cream and pretty luxurious! It’s white in colour and has a soft natural smell.
Is it worth it?
Yes. And I would tell you if it wasn’t. What I love about this, is actually a few things. Aside from the feel and the science behind it, I like that if I am late home and can’t be bothered with my whole routine (it takes a while guys), then I can just cleanse and moisturise and I know that my Vitamin A and my Antioxidants (the two most important ones) are taken care of. I have started recommending this to new clients who have not used skin care before and knowing that using too many products is going to overwhelm them. If this is you, then a good cleanser and this moisturiser is a great start.
All Medik8 products are 100% Vegan friendly, NEVER tested on animals (none of our products are) and their bottles are made from recycled glass. None of their products contain plastic microbeads (keeping the oceans safe) and their packaging is made from 100% recycled card that’s printed with vegetable inks. It’s definitely worth noting that they do not use any pure palm oil in any of their products. The factories where Medik8 products are made all run on 100% renewable energy too. What legends!
So by choosing Medik8 products, not only are you getting brilliant skin care, you are also doing your little bit for the planet which we live on.”
Meg
Julie’s Retinol Skin Care Review
“Before beginning to work with the skin angels, I had never used a Vitamin A / Retinol product. Ay? Are you serious?… Yes I am, I knew nothing. And being a person of more mature years, any products that I would eventually use, certainly had their work cut out for them.
After a disappointing, but not surprising, initial skin analysis, I was prescribed a regime of Osmosis MD skincare. The retinol prescribed was Osmosis MD Calm which I used religiously every night for eight to nine months, and yes, I became an A addict. An addiction I can’t shake, fortunately for my skin. Osmosis MD Calm is an entry level A for people like me, who was new to retinol, and those with more sensitive skin. I loved it and the difference it made within a short amount of time. I have now progressed to the next level of addiction, Osmsosis MD Correct a level 3, getting into the heavy stuff, I’m now hooked for life on Retinol. The difference it makes in texture and clarity of your skin is quite amazing.
I’m now Hooked on Retinol
Another Vitamin A product I really liked, when we were reviewing Medik8 products, was the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10. Very different texture and aroma to the other A’s I’d tried, it’s really creamy, a pretty peachy colour, felt really hydrating and had a very pleasant smell. Another plus for me was, the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 has the highest level of actives in the Medik8 range of Retinol/Retinals, which I need…. to feed my addiction. I guess the only reason I went back to Osmsosis MD Correct is because it’s a serum, and I like to cocktail it with my other serums.
I did go another level at one stage too with the Osmosis MD retinols, and tried Osmosis MD Renew but it is a little more expensive, and for me, I didn’t see any difference in results.
So if you’re looking to get high on great skincare, you really can’t go past Retinols. Careful though, you might get addicted, ay?”
Julie
Phillipa’s Retinol Skin Care Review
“I am one of those unfortunate few who takes medication leaving my skin slightly impaired. I’ve then also been pregnant or breastfeeding for the past five years, so I’m behind on my Retinol use. It’s never a great idea to use Vitamin A while you’re sick, pregnant or breastfeeding. This isn’t just about what you pass onto your children, but also because your skin can become thinner and more delicate during these times. A Vitamin A will always cause more reactions during these times and this goes against the whole reason behind using them.
I’ve only recently started using my Vitamin A again. I’m using CosMedix Serum 16, because it’s gentle on my skin and being a cream, feels nice to massage in. I used to have combination/oily skin so I still like to avoid oils over creams and will tend towards a water based gel if available. Those of you similar may well understand. My skins texture has improved greatly already, and I’ve had less break-outs. I’ve really had to make a concerted effort to apply sun protection daily though, and use Aspect Dr Hydra Shield so I both moisturise and protect. I do notice my pigmentation darkening on the days I’ve forgotten to reapply.
All-in-all I’m very happy with CosMedix. Then again, it’s a luxe brand so of course it feels awesome!”
Phillipa
Megan’s Calming Relief Product Review
“I could live, breathe and bathe in Osmosis MD Calm serum. I use this serum every night and without it, my skin feels completely different. It feels dull, lifeless and AGEING!! I like to know the type of Retinol I’m using on my skin, as I know from experience, I can react to some forms of it. Having re-active skin, I need to ensure it has the right delivery systems to ensure its reaching the lower layers of my skin (not sitting on the surface causing irritation) Retinaldehyde which is the Retinol used in Calm, is a form of Retinol that skips the top layer entirely, It works from the inside out, making sure you’re waking up glowing- not itchy, red or peeling!”
Megan
We hope you have appreciated hearing our “real life” feedback on these products. If there is a product you have enjoyed, please leave your feedback. Your favourite cleanser, serum or moisturiser? Write a review on the website and you’ll even receive an extra 300 points. Simply locate the product (in this case the products we’ve just reviewed), click the Reviews tab and leave your rating and review. We believe in finding products that are scientifically proven to improve your skin’s health without using nasty ingredients that we are better off avoiding.
Still not sure?
Do you need more help or would like personalised advice? Book now for your consultation with a skin care advisor. Offering information on what skin care products are best for you. Check out our range of in-clinic services today.
Otherwise fill in the Online Skin Consultation. Our skin care advisor will happily help you. Choosing the right treatments and products for your skin type or concern.
Check out our latest Specials!
Leave a Reply