Age Rewind: The 9 Best retinol creams that will transform your skin
Anti-wrinkle, anti-acne, anti-ageing – retinol is the closest thing to a magical miracle potion for the skin.
Whatever your age, retinol is that skin-saving, youth-retaining ingredient that you and your skin will swear by. Decades of research have surfaced that retinol effectively tackles various dermatological concerns including acne, wrinkles and textured or uneven skin. Not too shabby for a single active ingredient, eh?
So… What is Retinol?
Retinol is a vitamin A-derived ingredient found in many anti-ageing beauty products. It is widely raved by dermatologists and people worldwide (even those with sensitive skin) for its ability to increase cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, improve the appearance of sun damage, fine lines, acne, scars and pigmentation on the skin, and for evening out your skin tone and smoothing skin texture. In short: it’s the closest thing to a skin-perfecting magical miracle potion you’ll ever find.
There are three levels of retinoids: pure retinoic acid (the strongest and prescription-only), retinol (sold over the counter and less harsh than the former), and retinol derivates (also sold over the counter and more gentle than retinol). You don’t need a prescription to reap the benefits of retinol, however. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best over-the-counter retinol cream options that are even better than their prescription-strength counterparts, which can often be a little aggravating on the skin.
Before we dive into our recommended picks, here are a few things to note when using retinol. Firstly, as retinol makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight, be sure to use these creams only at night and follow up with your usual SPF creams in the morning. Secondly, the only disadvantage with retinol is that overuse can cause dryness and irritation, which aggravate some sensitive skins. To counter this, start by using a retinol derivative twice a week first to avoid stressing out your skin.
Ready to transform your precious visage? Keep scrolling in the gallery above to find your holy grail retinol cream we’re confident you can’t live without!
Sarah Khan
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