Whether it's breakouts, redness or pigmentation, if your skin is struggling then look no further than retinol.

Ah yes, retinol, you've probably heard of it. It's a skincare superstar with the ability to smooth texture, even skin tone, minimise pesky pores, prevent spots and soften fine lines and wrinkles. It's basically real-life FaceTune and a welcome antidote to any skin woes.

Retinol speeds up skin cell turnover and boosts collagen production, which both slow as we age. Essentially it makes your skin act young again and anyone 30 plus would benefit from adding retinol into their nighttime routine.

So what is retinol?

Well, it's a Vitamin A derivative and it comes in many guises (names like retinaldehyde, retinyl palmitate and retinal). Over the counter retinol enters the skin where it is converted to retinaldehyde and then to retinoic acid. You can get retinoic acid (also known as tretinoin or retin-A) on prescription from a dermatologist, but this super strength product can cause the skin to become flaky and sensitive, which is why it has to be administered by an expert. The retinol products you can buy in stores and online can also cause the skin to become irritated, but these side effects do go away once your skin has acclimatised to the retinol (that's why retinol products come in different percentages, so you can start low and build up gradually).

How to start with retinol

If you've never used a retinol product before, we would recommend using it three times a week and building up to every night as and when your skin can handle it. For some people that might be straight away, whereas for others it could take a few weeks. Alternatively, you can buffer your retinol product by mixing it with a simple, non-fragranced drugstore face cream.

Since retinol sends your skin cell production into overdrive and as new, youthful cells make their way to the surface it's important to wear an SPF 30 or 50 every day to protect this healthy, glowing new complexion.

Tempted to try retinol? Give LixirSkin's Night Switch Retinol 1% (€36) a try.



If you have sensitive skin and you're concerned retinol may be a little too harsh for your complexion, try Ren's Bio Retinoid, €65. It is made with a plant-derived alternative to retinol - Bidens Pilosa - and in just 28 days it is proven to leave skin looking visibly firmer, and healthier-looking without irritation.

Next up, everything you need to know about LixirSkin.