Why is everyone so obsessed with Retinol?

In the quest for spotless, glowing, blemish-free skin, one ingredient that steals the limelight away from the others is retinol. With a myriad benefits, retinol has become the buzzword among skincare aficionados. We’ve amped up our skincare arsenal with retinol, without thinking about or discussing its benefits. Let’s hear from a few folks who have shared their anecdotes, as well as Dr Kiran Sethi who helps us dive deeper.

So, what makes retinol so reputed and popular?
First off, retinol isn’t some new kid on the block. It’s been around for ages, quietly marking its territory in the skincare world.

“Even in the ‘80s retinol was quite sought after, although it was not cosmetically available. We could only buy it on prescription, and girls in my college would talk about its skin brightening properties,” recollects 60-year-old Parveen Nasir.

But then, boom! Retinol became the ‘it’ product, and now it’s all anyone can talk about. What’s the hype though? Well, retinol is a vitamin A derivative, and its superpower is that it speeds up cell turnover. Translation: It helps your skin shed dead cells and brings fresh, new ones to the surface. Think of it as your skin’s personal trainer, always pushing it to look its best.

Let’s be real though—does it actually work?
“A dermat prescribed me adapalene gel for my comedonal acne. The journey was painful (literally!) as my skin purged during the initial phase. But now I believe I have the best skin of my life,” says Kaveri Deorukhkar.

However, not everyone has the same experience, “I tried a retinol serum for a couple of months, but I’m not sure if it’s actually effective,” said Subhashree Pattabiraman.

While retinol is one of the few skincare ingredients that dermatologists swear by, some cases see no noticeable impact. “Retinol generally takes over 12 weeks to show results, but there can be other reasons that hinder your retinol from working to its full potential. One is not sun protecting your skin when on the routine. Another could be applying a retinol treatment that has a lower concentration than your skin’s needs,’ mentions Dr Kiran.

(Image source: Instagram/aminu.life)

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But here’s the catch…
Retinol isn’t necessarily the easy condiment to your ‘skincare cocktail’, which you can slather on and forget about. You’ve got to ease into it.

’About two years ago, I noticed a few fine lines appear on my forehead. Instinctively, I went online to read about the miracles of retinol and collagen topical treatments for matured skin. I combined the two and generously applied them, not knowing it would be a recipe for disaster. I witnessed a few rashes and red patches appear around my chin and forehead that flared up into bigger bumps. I panicked, obviously and consulted a doctor who diagnosed me with rosacea. My skin has been overly sensitive and acne-prone ever since,’ narrates Iona Chatterjee.

(Image Source: Instagram/ Nuqina)

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So, why is everyone so obsessed?
It’s a one-stop-shop for all your skin concerns! Whether you’re dealing with acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, or fine lines retinol is touted as the undisputed skincare hero. It’s basically the skincare MVP that does it all. Plus, who doesn’t want to smoothen their skin texture, making it radiant and alive?

Bottom line: Should you hop on the retinol train?
If you’re looking to level up your skincare game, retinol is definitely worth a try. Just go slow, be patient, and begin with the right concentration and amount. ’Begin with 0.1 per cent and 0.5 per cent of retinol and apply these on alternate nights. Increase the frequency as your skin begins to adapt to it, and sun protect at all costs!’ says Dr Kiran.