About a year ago, when my life was already at its lowest, degradation in my skin was about to be the final nail in my coffin.

Hi there, I'm Ruturaj, a 37-year-old man, and here is my story.

Starting from the start, as it is popularly said in India that “looking good and feeling good goes hand in hand.” Like any other person, I too was very conscious about my looks. I always wanted to retain my youthful and glowy skin, and in order to prevent aging of my skin, I started using various products without knowing my skin type. I have sensitive skin, and these products proved to be erroneous for me. As the time passed, my skin was aging; it started looking pale and dull. The condition of my skin was so depressing that it took away joy from my life.

One fine day, when I was sitting at my desk at the office with the droopy face, one close friend of mine came and asked, “What's up, Bud? You don't seem well nowadays.

Life’s been harder, buddy; look what my skin has turned into! I can’t express how I’m feeling presently, I replied.

Have you done necessary skincare? My friend asked

Yes, Pal.I did everything that I could, but nothing helped, I replied.

Have you tried Retinol? My friend again asked

No, what's that? I replied.

Well buddy, it’s your savior. Try it, said my friend.

I used Retinol, and within a few months I was able to see the desired result. My skin improved rapidly; it indeed was my savior.

Come and let's understand how retinol helps in preventing skin aging, especially for those with sensitive skin.

What’s Retinol?

Retinol is a substance, a form of vitamin that contains essential properties that help in preventing the signs of aging for example wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines and others.

It is a highly potent, active cosmetic ingredient for skin care. In particular, the material is quite useful as an anti-aging treatment. Retinol is a member of the class of skin care activities known as retinoids. 

How does Retinol work ?

Unlike other anti-aging products, retinol—a kind of retinoid—does not remove dead skin cells.It treats the skin by entering into the dermis—the inner layer of skin—and neutralizing the free radicals. The retinol boosts the production of collagen and elastin that helps in providing plumping effects to the skin.It ultimately helps in alleviating the most visible signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines, and pores. Furthermore, the retinol is also instrumental in treating acne and improving the texture and tone of the skin. It’s a scientifically proven product that is nothing less than a boon for peckable skin.

Who can use Retinol ?

The retinol is for everyone, and it works for most people. However, as different skin types have varying appropriateness, it is crucial to use it with caution. It must therefore only be used in accordance with the provided guidelines.

It is a well-liked product that is safe to use.

Effect of Retinol for Sensitive Skin

No matter how beneficial a product is, there’s always a chance of adversity, much like us. Isn't it?

Well, retinol is no exception in this regard. Like any other cosmetic product, it also carries some negative effects, especially on sensitive skin.

Retinol can have both visible and invisible impacts on skin.

Visible effect:

• Swelling in skin.

• Dryness and redness

• Blisters 

• Flaky skin

• Rashes, hives, etc.

Invisible effect:

• Damaged epidermis

• Burning sensations

• Itching

The given side effects are not universal; it may or may not affect skin. It all depends on whether our skin is capable of accommodating such cosmetics or not.

Now the only question that arises over here is - Can people with sensitive skin use retinol, and if yes, then how?

Before we delve deeper into understanding whether it is for people with sensitive skin or not, it is important to know that the use of retinol is not necessarily the reason for side effects. The way and the quantum of product we are using have a more significant contribution in causing side effects.

Now coming back to the question,

Yes, the people with sensitive skin can use it as well, but yes, there are certain cautions that they must exercise in order to eliminate or minimize the risk of side effects.

A retinol product with a low vitamin A content is what you should use.

To find out if it affects your skin, do a patch test for a few days in a smaller region.You can begin taking retinol by putting a little coating on your face following the patch test.Because retinol enhances photosensitivity, sunscreen with an SPF of higher than 30 must be applied.The term "photosensitivity" describes the allergies brought on by sun exposure. Photosensitivity can result in rashes, tanning, sunburn, and other

How to use Retinol ?

Retinol is an OTC (over-the-counter) product available in the form of gels, serums, creams, ointments, and others. One can purchase it directly from the shop to incorporate it in their skincare routine.

In order to use retinol in the best possible manner, you should follow the given steps:

• Start by cleansing your skin with your usual cleanser.

• If you're using a toner, apply it next.

• Give your skin a scrub.

• Avoid sensitive regions like the mouth and eyes when applying the thin layer of low-concentration retinol to your face.

• Use a moisturizer, preferably one that doesn't cause acne(Non-comodegenic).

• Finally, and above all, remember to cover your face with a strong layer of sunscreen.

Precautions and guidelines to be followed while using Retinol

The retinol, despite being such a popular and effective product, can turn into a “red flag” if not used properly. Therefore, it becomes imperative to take necessary precautions while incorporating it into our skincare routine. These are:

• Don’t apply a thick layer: Many people, just to get early results, start applying a thicker layer of retinol, which ultimately proves to be a disaster for their skin. Thus, it's important to avoid a thick layer in the beginning.

• Don’t use it too frequently: Retinol should not be applied too frequently. In case you've just started using it, you must not use it more than twice a week.The excessive use can make your skin look plastic.

• Avoid mixing: You should avoid mixing retinol with some ingredients like vitamin C, strong acids like AHA or BHA, or others in the same routine, as it may irritate your skin.

• Avoid applying it to wet skin. After cleaning your skin, you must dry it well before applying retinol. If you apply the retinol to the wet face, then it will increase absorption and the risk of irritation.

• Pregnant and breastfeeding females should strictly avoid retinol: The retinol can directly affect the fetus and can cause birth-based abnormalities and defects like heart defects, intellectual and learning disability, growth delay, abnormal head sizes, and others.

• Be patient: Your skin will not become impeccable overnight. Be patient and, most importantly, consistent, as consistency is the key in order to see the best result.

• Store it properly: The storage of retinol is very important, as quite a large quantum of its effectiveness depends on the way we store it. The retinol is sensitive to light and air, and direct exposure to air and sun can degrade its effectiveness. Hence, it is always recommended to store it in a cool place.

Is there any natural Retinol alternative for Sensitive Skin ?

Yes, there are many natural alternatives for retinol, but out of all the ones that stand tallest is Bakuchiol.

Bakuchiol is a natural extract derived from the seeds of the Bakuchi plant that possesses a significant amount of medicinal properties. It has a long history of usage in traditional households, tracing its roots to Indian Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. Bakuchiol is a meroterpene phenol with the chemical formula C18H24O. It has a chiral tetra-alkylated quaternary center.

The multipurpose usage, renowned effectiveness, minimal side effects, rich legacy in Indian and Chinese medication make it the best possible substitute for retinol. It is purely a natural product extracted from the Bakuchi or babchi plant.

Aside from this, the other natural retinol alternatives for sensitive skin include:

Rosemary extract: Rosemary is a more gentle natural alternative that is advised to people with sensitive skin. Though it is true that it is not as promising as retinol in terms of improving skin, its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties definitely provide a major boost to our skin health. In addition to this, rosehip oil, carrot seed oil, sea buckthorn oil, and others are also considered some good natural alternatives for those with sensitive skin.

FAQs

Q1. Are prescription retinoids and OTC retinoids the same?

No, both are not the same. The prescription retinoid has a high concentration of vitamin A that cannot suit everyone; on the contrary, the OTC retinol has a lower concentration of vitamin A that may fit all. The prescription retinoids are only advised in cases where skin issues are severe.

Q2. What time should I use retinol?

We should use retinol at night only, as the exposure to direct sunlight reduces the effectiveness of retinol and can also cause burns or hyperpigmentation. 

Q3. How long does it take to see the results?

The visible results can take up to 10-12 weeks. One needs to be patient and consistent with a skincare routine.

Q4. What concentration of retinol should we use?

Beginners should start with 0.2%-0.5% retinol. Higher concentrations (1% or more) are suitable for experienced users.

Q5. Does retinol expire?

Yes, it does. The prolonged exposure to sunlight and air degrades its quality, and hence its effectiveness vanishes away.

Conclusion

The iconic dialogue of Poo, “It's all about good looks, good looks, and good looks,” might sound funny to many, but it is quite true that good looks are something that can shape somebody’s personality. Probably, this is the reason why we are all are so conscious of the way we look.

The deterioration depressed me, and the upgrade cheered me up; this is enough to tell the importance of having good skin.

Retinol, a renowned product that is used to prevent anti-aging, is indeed a product that fits all.Though it could have possible side effects like swelling, blisters, dryness, etc., all of these can be avoided if we use it properly by exercising necessary precautions; then we can easily make the most of it. However, if someone has very sensitive skin and wants to avoid the chemical-based cosmetics completely, then they can go for bakuchiol, which is the most effective and a natural substitute for retinol.

As they say, “Good things take time.” It becomes imperative for us to inculcate that retinol is not some princess’s kiss that will magically turn a frog (our problematic skin) into a handsome prince (impeccable skin). It is very important to understand that the key to healthy skin is patience and consistency.

Recommended Products by Blue Nectar:

Shubhr Bakuchi Oil Free Face Serum | Natural Retinol Alternative for Youthful Skin (30 ml)

Related Articles:

Bakuchiol - Ayurvedic Wonder Ingredient for Youthful Skin

Natural Retinol Serum - Best Anti Ageing Elixir for Skin

References:

https://nw-derm.com/retinol-and-sensitive-skin/#:~:text=With%20retinol%20usage%2C%20dryness%2C%20itching,all%20at%20the%20same%20time

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/retinol