Retinol is a potent ingredient that boosts skin cell turnover, so old skin cells are replaced with new ones faster. Although this helps to prevent acne and early indications of ageing, it creates photosensitivity in your skin. This means your skin will burn easily in sunlight. Sunscreen becomes indispensable in such a situation. So how exactly retinol and sunscreen can be the powerhouse against ageing? Read on to find out.
How does Retinol work?
Retinol, a type of retinoid and a popular skincare ingredient, initiates cell turnover. As a result, it promotes the production of new skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. It also enhances collagen production, essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. Additionally, retinol can help regulate sebum production, which can be helpful for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
Benefits of using retinol and sunscreen
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Prevents ageing
Let's be honest- wrinkly skin is not on anyone's bucket list. So here's where this duo comes into the picture. Using retinol and sunscreen together can shield against ageing. This is because retinol boosts collagen production and treats the signs of ageing, while sunscreen protects you from UV radiation, one of the most prominent reasons for causing fine lines and wrinkles.
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Reduces skin sensitivity
Retinol boosts cell turnover, a process where dead and dull skin cells are shed. It lets newer and healthy skin cells come to the skin's surface. However, new skin cells are exposed and not protected if you don't seal in with an effective sunscreen. To avoid your skin from burning, protect your skin with sunscreen and notice a drastic improvement in your skin sensitivity.
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Helps combat acne
The combined benefits of retinol and niacinamide-containing sunscreen are truly impressive. This powerful duo helps control oil production and effectively treats and prevents acne. Niacinamide contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe inflammation. As a result, you can achieve clear and radiant skin by incorporating these two ingredients into your skincare routine.
How Do You Incorporate Retinol Into Your Skincare Routine?
Retinol can be tough to include in your beauty routine if you don't pick the right product and apply it at the right time. Retinol is highly potent and deeply penetrates the skin. As a result, because the component is new to your skin, your skin may need some time to adjust. If you want your skin to ease into retinol and avoid purging, use a gentle form of retinol with a low concentration.
The Foxtale Vit-A-Lity Retinol night serum contains 0.15% encapsulated retinol, a modern innovation that only begins to act once an ingredient enclosed in a capsule has penetrated deeply into your skin. This doesn't cause any purging and yields benefit two times faster than regular retinol.
As a beginner, apply retinol at night twice every week and then gradually increase its frequency once your skin gets adjusted to the product. Do note that all retinol formulations take around 10 to 12 weeks of consistent usage to show results on the skin. However, with the Foxtale retinol serum, you can expect to see changes within 8 weeks!
Since retinol makes the skin sensitive to UV rays, it is best to use it at night. This is why daily use of sunscreen is necessary to improve protection, whether or not you have applied retinol.
What Makes Foxtale’s Retinol Anti-Ageing Serum Stand Out?
We know that Foxtale’s serum uses Encapsulated Retinol to work its magic. For those unaware – this innovative technology carries the Retinol molecules into the deepest layers of the skin to break open, minimizing episodes of flareups. Additionally, our Retinol Serum extends the benefits below to the skin.
1. Unlike other Retinol serums, Foxtale’s formula doesn’t dry out your skin. Infact, Betaine in this formula binds water molecules to the skin, ensuring long-lasting hydration.
2. Foxtale’s Retinol Serum contains Kokum Butter that administers multi-level moisturization, soothes inflammation, and makes your skin super soft.
3. The lightweight serum glides with friction and infuses easily into the skin. It doesn’t have a greasy or icky feel on application – not even in the slightest.
Are You New To Retinol? Here Are Some Precautions To Take With The Help Of Sunscreen
Although retinol offers many advantages, you can only make the most if you wear sunscreen. Furthermore, avoiding sunscreen when following a retinol-intensive skincare regimen can aggravate the negative effects. Therefore, when using retinol in your skincare routine, take the following precautions:
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Avoid prolonged sun exposure
As retinol promotes photosensitivity, it is not surprising that this is the first precaution to take. Avoiding sun exposure the following day after applying retinol will protect you from heat burns. If you must go out in the sun, make sure to apply a high-protection sunscreen with an SPF of 50, a PA++++ rating. Use protective accessories like sunglasses, a hat, a scarf, or an umbrella for extra protection.
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Never forego sunscreen
This is yet another obvious safety measure. If you use retinol in your skincare, there is no way you can overlook sunscreen. While retinol can significantly diminish fine lines and prevent them, sunlight causes photoaging. Skipping sunscreen means you are cancelling the benefits of retinol. On the other hand, sunscreen enhances the benefits of retinol by manifolds.
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Antioxidants for better sun protection for the win
The best way to ensure sun protection is with a standard sunscreen with SPF 50, but what's even better is if your sunscreen has antioxidants like niacinamide. Niacinamide is a fantastic component for strengthening the skin barrier and enhancing skin texture. It provides a protective barrier against external radicals over the skin. As a primary ingredient in the Foxtale Mattifying Cover-Up sunscreen, it also assists in controlling the production of oil on your skin. Additionally, the ingredient makes the sunscreen's texture a dream to apply, blend, and absorb. It is truly a multi-tasker. All these together ensure retinol can have the maximum impact on your skin.
Conclusion
Think of it like this- just like how you ensure double protection by wearing a sweater and muffler on a cold winter day, similarly, you can claim your anti-ageing benefits by using sunscreen and retinol. Retinol and sunscreen complement each other well (as well as your skin). Therefore, you can reap the most benefits of retinol if you seal all its goodness with sunscreen.
FAQs
1. Can you use sunscreen and retinol together?
Yes, you can use sunscreen and retinol together. Using retinol serum at night is recommended to reduce the risk of skin becoming sensitive due to UV exposure. Follow up with sunscreen in the morning to ensure sun protection.
2. I accidentally skipped sunscreen after using retinol. Will it affect my skin?
Yes, skipping sunscreen after using retinol can negatively impact your skin, including sunburn, skin damage and ageing. This is because retinol makes your newer skin cells more sensitive and prone to UV damage. Applying sunscreen can help combat sun damage and protect it.
3. When can I start using Retinol?
You can start using Retinol in your 20s to reverse premature signs of ageing.
4. Can I use Retinol every night?
Folks who are new to Retinol can start by using the ingredient once every week. If your skin responds well, use the efficacious ingredient on alternate days.
5. What should I use first, Retinol or sunscreen?
Take a few pumps of Retinol and apply it with a light hand. Since Retinol supports the cell renewal process, we recommend using the anti-ageing ingredient in your nighttime routine. To prevent episodes of burns, tanning, and other sun-induced damage, apply a generous amount of sunscreen the following morning.
6. What should I avoid using with Retinol?
Avoid ingredients like AHAs and BHAs with Retinol.
7. What is the correct way to use Retinol at night?
- Start by cleansing with Foxtale’s Hydrating Face Wash. It contains Sodium Hyaluronate and Red Algae that improve your skin’s water-holding capacity.
- Dab your skin dry and apply 2 to 3 pumps of Foxtale’s Retinol Serum. Maintain a light hand and be cautious around sensitive areas like the eyes and the mouth.
- After the serum infuses into the skin, apply a generous layer of moisturizer. You can try Foxtale’s Hydrating Moisturizer with Ceramides. The potent formula creates a protective barrier on the skin, sealing the treatment.
