Retinoid is considered one of the elixirs of youth that both men and women use. As many people patronize this product, there are also controversies surrounding it like its side effects. However, users still stick to it because of the positive results it brings like that youthful glow.
Retinoid is reportedly scientifically proven to fight the signs of aging. Hence, both men and women opt to use this product because of its effectivity and fast result. The French brand Agotherm aesthetician and training director Brigitte Weber said this chemical is excellent for people who want to cure their "fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness."
"Skin-cell turnover and renewal slows down as we age, and they improve the overall skin texture by speeding up cell turnover," she said, per the South China Morning Post. "They also have a powerful stimulating effect on collagen production, which are the building blocks of the skin."
Retinoid is the general term for Vitamin A's "many derivatives." It has different forms like retinol, retinol palmitate, and tretinoin, which are all used to treat acne. There is also retinoic acid, which became popular in the 1980s, that doctors prescribed to improve the condition of acne.
Protea Hong Kong, which distributes the retinoid skincare brand Environ, general manager Karen Aleksich said environmental factors like pollution and sun lessened Vitamin A in people's skin. So, there is a dire need to replenish it to help cells reproduce and avoid "photoaging and stop the rejuvenation process. Although retinoid is known for its effectivity, it also comes with side effects.
Bona Fide Skin Care reported retinoid's side effects would depend on how your skin reacts. But if used with right dose and formulation, it could be the perfect product for your skin.
Using retinoid can result in redness accompanied by a "windburn feeling or hotness." You may start to feel it after application or after a few minutes once used. To avoid it, don't use retinol cream after a hot shower, exercise, in a hot room, and extreme temperature.
Retinoid can also cause slight flaking and dry skin. It is because it increases the turnover of your skin cells that makes it run at a faster rate. The dead skin cells remain on your skin's surface that caused the flaking or dusting. You only have to continue using it or use a hydrating mask and a hydrating-and-protecting daytime moisturizer. Apply a thin layer of Vaseline before bedtime would also help.
You may also feel uncomfortable tightness when using a retinoid. To lessen this side effect, you can also use Vaseline at night or apply a soothing moisturizer over the top. Lastly, itching is one of its common side effects because of the speed up cell turnover. Using a moisturizer can also help to cure it.
You can only feel these side effects temporarily. It usually disappears in two to six weeks, but it depends on your skin.
