A Beginners Guide To Retinol

I love skincare, and by that I mean I love looking at pretty packaging and spending money. If it says ‘anti-ageing’ I love it even more and if it comes in a gift bag? I’m maxing my card. I, like many of us, have watched Caroline Hirons on YouTube, in awe of everything she’s saying while simultaneously understanding nothing. All these AHA, acids, moisturiser things – very confusing.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll read every article, watch every video and spend hours rubbing pea-sized amounts of product on my hand. However, I’m still none the wiser. There are so many brands now, so many products and way too much information.

One word that seems to stand out more than most is the blogger favourite Retinol. Supposedly this is the key to eternal youth, glowy skin and saying goodbye to acne scarring. Perfect. When Pixi sent me a box of their Retinol goodies I was so excited. I laid them all out, swatched them on my arm and smelt everything – but what happens next? I had no idea.

In an attempt to expand my beauty knowledge I thought I would dig into the blogging abyss to find some facts that make sense. As I get closer to the big 3-0 I think it’s about time to see what all the Retinol hype is about and to find out how I can work it into my routine.

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What is Retinol?

Retinol is a type of Vitamin A which encourages skin renewal and increases collagen production. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines making it one of the best ingredients to fight the ageing process. It can also help to clear your pores, reduce pore size, prevent breakouts and heal scarring which is perfect for acne sufferers.

When should I apply Retinol?

You should always apply it at night as the sunlight will zap it of its useful properties. You’ll also need to phase it into your routine as too much can irritate your skin. The maximum strength retinol you can get is 1% so use that to gauge how strong a product is. It’s worth starting with 0.1% and working your way up to be on the safe side. You’ll also need to top up your SPF when using Retinol as it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Beginners Retinols

Retinol is recommended for people 30 and over who have fine lines and wrinkles. However, you can start earlier as a method of prevention against ageing. The Retinol collection from Pixi is perfect for this as the Retinol content isn’t very high and the products are easy to work into your routine. It’s the perfect way to dip your toe into the Retinol sphere while preventing early signs of ageing and giving yourself seriously glowy skin. The products contain a time-release Retinol which is safe to use in the morning and the evening.

Retinol Overnight Oil

One of my absolute favourite products is the Pixi Glow Serum so when I saw this I was hoping it would give me even better results. I love anything that makes my skin look plump, glowy and healthy and I feel like the Retinol Overnight Oil ticks all the boxes. It’s an oil blend serum which promises to approve the appearance of fine lines and pores. I’ve been using this twice a week and I’ve noticed that it makes my skin smoother, clearer and less prone to breakouts.

Retinol Eye Cream

This is an intensely nourishing eye cream formulated to improve elasticity and to smooth the skin around your eye area. I’ve been using this every morning and evening for brighter eyes and it’s perfect if your skin is dry from using eyeshadow.

Retinol Tonic

I love both the Glow Tonic (to fight acne) and the Rose Tonic (for glowy skin) so I had high hopes for this one. The tonic contains Retinol which reduces fine lines and smoothes your skin. It also contains Peptides which firm the skin and boost collagen production and Jasmine Flower, a light moisturiser which won’t clog your pores.

Retinol Jasmine Cleanser

I’ve been using this cleanser every morning in the shower to refresh my skin. It’s creamy, moisturising and I’ve been taking it off with a muslin cloth for some gentle exfoliation. It contains Retinol to smooth the skin, Jasmine Oil to brighten and ceramides to lock in moisture. It’s not great at removing makeup but perfect for refreshing your skin in the morning.

Retinol Jasmine Lotion

This daily moisturiser is packed with antioxidants and the youth-enhancing power of Retinol. It’s a great first product to try and is perfect for prepping your skin in the morning and pumping it with moisture.