Is It Important To Add Retinol To Your Skin Care?

Retinol is often used as a catchall term for topical products containing Vitamin A derivative, which is technically a type of retinoid, of which there are several variations that work at different levels. Retinoid is a term that covers both over-the-counter retinol and prescription-strength retinoic acid. Retinoids work by increasing collagen production as well as increasing the rate of skin cell turnover. They also help treat acne, blackheads, and clogged pores by reducing the stickiness of the cells that clog pores, as well as speeding up the rate at which the skin turns over and regenerates. Because of this, they are ideal for improving your skin’s overall texture, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles, evening out skin tone, and decreasing pore size. There are few different types of retinoids that you will find in your face creams, serums and eye cream. Retinol is one of the strongest and more effective on the skin.

Why should you use retinol?

Retinol have long been considered the gold standard for treating the acne and antiaging for good reason. Retinol not only increases the cellular turnover rate of keratinocytes (cells on the outermost layer of our skin), keeping younger, plumper cells closer to the surface but they also help exfoliate the older keratinocytes at an increased rate, which helps to unclog the pores and keep your skin fresh without the need of harsh friction. Over a long period of use, retinol also helps to increase the production of elastin and collagen in the dermis – the second and the deeper layer of the skin. Not all products work on many aspects of skin health all at the same time when compared to retinol. What this means is that even when you don’t have acne or fine lines, this ingredient can still help you to maintain an even skin tone and give your skin that radiant glowing factor.

Is it important to add retinol to your skincare?

Yes, it is important to add retinol to your skincare because that will significantly improve your skin. Even the best skin doctor would suggest retinol to your routine if you are going through skin treatment. Retinol is the backbone of nearly every good skin-care routine and if it is used on a daily basis, then it will make your skin look the best. Retinoids helps to build collagen and also help repair, so they should be applied at night. Stick with gentle cleansers (she likes CeraVe), and to always follow your retinol with a moisturizer, especially those with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. If your skin is really irritated, you can try buffering, where you apply moisturizer before retinol to reduce side effects. Most skin doctors also recommend easing into retinol, starting with the application once a week, and working up to every other or every night, depending on how tolerant your skin is. Retinol is an effective ingredient any skin clinic would not recommend using it before you are mid 20’s or late 20’s. Prevention always comes first and therefore before adding up retinol to your skincare routine, you should always consult the skin doctor and then move forward with the skin treatment. If you are still new to daily skin care and protection, then first start by getting the basic skincare routine for few months before diving into a more complex skincare routine.

Some of the major benefits of Retinol are mentioned below –

• Retinol Can Help Even Skin Tone

One of the many noteworthy aspects of retinol is that it stimulates skin cell turnover, which is manifested as a sort of “exfoliating” effect. Dull and dry skin makes way for new, brighter, and more even-toned skin, armed with increased levels of collagen and elastin. The thicker skin is stronger and smoother and has fewer overall imperfections. Thus, even relatively “problem-free” skin can have radiating effects from retinol.

• Retinol Is Cost-Effective

Depending on your budget, spending on retinol may seem like an extravagance you cannot afford. However, spending on cheaper, short-term solutions may ultimately prove the pricier option in the end. Retinol is one of the only ingredients with scientifically proven benefits, making it a reliable investment for your future. Here at The Skin Spot, you can find a starter option at $55—a small price to pay for guaranteed, proven results!

• Retinol Can Clear Your Acne

Do you have treatment-resistant acne? Retinol may be just what you need. By unclogging pores, retinol clears skin and prevents further outbreaks from occurring. Naturally, less acne will result in fewer acne scars. Plus, retinoids can amplify the effects of other medicated creams and gels, allowing you to get the maximum benefits of whatever treatments you’re using.

• Retinol Can Fight Signs Of Aging

You can rest easy knowing that retinol is one of the most used and most well-studied anti-aging ingredients on the market. Originally marketed as an anti-acne treatment in the 70s, tretinoin quickly proved to have considerable anti-aging effects.

• Available In Prescription Or Over-The-Counter

For most people, an over-the-counter retinoid should be enough to get started. The lower dosage allows the skin to acclimate to the product with a lower risk of irritation. These lower doses of retinol also have fewer side effects than prescription-strength retinoic acid. However, the trade-off is that it may take longer to see visible results. If you have any hesitation about your required dosage, consult with your dermatologist or skin doctor.

Like any new skin-care product, it takes a little time to see the major results from retinol, so just be patient when you add retinol to your skin care routine. It can take about four to six weeks to show the results and for the acne, it can take up to 12 weeks for full improvement. When used for antiaging, in the short term, retinoids help unclog pores and give your skin a healthy glow by removing dead skin cells off the surface. Over the long-term—six months and beyond—they help grow new collagen and elastin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and lighten brown pigmentation.

Homeopathy for skincare

Retinol is important to add to your skincare so that your skin improves significantly. Also, apart from retinol if you are facing skin issues and want to get the skin treatment in a natural way then you should definitely go for the homeopathy treatment. Homeopathy doctor would suggest you the best measures to deal with the skin conditions that are giving you problems and also at the same time will prescribe you a homeopathic personalized treatment plan that will suit your skin the best. Homeopathy treatment for various types of skin issues not only solves the issue but also provides the patient with long-term relief along with long-lasting results. As homeopathic medicines are made up of natural; substances like plants, animals, or minerals, they are very safe to use and also away from any toxic side effects.

Some of the best homeopathic remedies for skin treatment are as follows –

• Oleander

This homeopathic medicine is prepared from the extracts of Nerium oleander, a very poisonous garden shrub. The extracts contain high levels of antioxidants that protect the skin cells and help in reducing oxidative stress. This medicine has been used for its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidative benefits for ages. It is rich in flavonoids, vitamins, and amino acids that reduce inflammation. Oleander is effective in treating:

• Eczema
• Dandruff
• Psoriasis
• Herpes zoster

It is also beneficial for treating food allergies and colitis.

• Psorinum

This medicine is prepared from the fluid collected from the blisters in the skin affected by scabies. It is a very potent remedy for a range of skin issues and is pretty effective in treating:

• Allergy
• Dermatitis
• Eczema
• Scabies
• Ulcers and lice infestation

However, Psorinum shows remarkable results in treating vitiligo, a condition marked by progressive discoloration of the skin. A study shows that continuous use of Psorinum can cure vitiligo patches and make them pigmented again.

• Kali muriaticum

It is also known as potassium chloride and is a very effective remedy for treating eczema. As per the National Center for Homeopathy, you can use Kali muriaticum to manage:

• Acne
• Burns
• Shingles
• Warts

Dr. Wilhelm Heinrich Schuessler, a German doctor, introduced Kali muriaticum to homeopathy. He believed that the loss of this element could affect the epidermis (top layer of skin) and causes irritation.

• Sulphur

Sulphur is derived from the Flower of Sulphur. A study on 42 patients with atopic dermatitis found that in 60% of the cases, the patients responded positively to sulphur treatment. Apart from that, Sulphur is also used to treat:

• Bedsores
• Acne
• Boils
• Corns
• Freckles
• Herpes
• Itching and irritation
• Ringworm

 

• Graphites

This is a carbon remedy, and it also contains a bit of iron. Samuel Hahnemann, the German physician, first used this remedy to treat severe eczema along with other skin issues. Since then, Graphites has been successfully administered for a wide range of skin problems such as:

Eczema

Skin fissures (cracks and flaky skin caused by extreme dryness or eczema)

Thick skin or scars (that appear after surgery or major wound)

A study proved that using Graphites helped improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis to a great extent.

• Sepia Officinalis

This is the ink of cuttlefish, and in homeopathy, this medicine was primarily prescribed to women for treating postnatal depression. It is known as the medicine of menopause (according to the British Homeopathic Association). However, Sepia is often prescribed for painful skin issues. Sepia can be used for treating –

• Dandruff
• Eczema
• Freckles (hyperpigmentation)
• Ringworm
• Stye
• Varicose veins
• Warts

 

• Natrum muriaticum

Sodium chloride or common salt (yes, the one that you use for cooking) is the main mineral ingredient of Natrum muriaticum. This homeopathic medicine is the best remedy for controlling acne vulgaris. It can also be used to control:

Blisters (from herpes and eczema)

Rashes (eczema rashes and sun-induced rashes or sun allergy)

• Rhus Toxicodendron

This is also known as Poison Ivy (yes, the same herb that gives you itches and rashes) and is a very unlikely remedy for several skin issues. This homeopathic medicine is usually administered for treating arthritis, but it can also be used for treating skin issues such as:

• Herpes
• Eczema
• Dermatitis

It relieves itching, burning sensation, and pain caused by skin diseases.

• Arsenicum album

Arsenic trioxide is diluted to prepare this medicine. It is diluted until traces of arsenic are no longer found in it. This is a very effective (and widely used) treatment for arsenic poisoning (6). It treats arsenic poisoning symptoms, such as:

• Hyperpigmentation (in areas that are not exposed to sunlight)
• Excessive scaly skin (arsenical keratosis)
• Cancer induced by arsenic exposure
• Exfoliative dermatitis

This is also a very useful medicine for treating psoriasis and chronic eczema.

• Thuja occidentalis

This plant is also known as white cedar and is generally grown as an ornamental plant. This is mainly used in homeopathy as a mother tincture (an herbal extract that has the lowest potency).

This medicine is used for treating verruca Vulgaris (or warts). This skin issue is caused by Human papillomavirus.

• Mezereum

This medicine is derived from the bark of a shrub called Mezereon. It is ingested to treat toothache and headache.

However, in his book, Samuel Hahnemann notes that Mezereum is used for treating Crustalactea. This skin condition is usually noticed in infants. It is seborrhoeic dermatitis, where the skin on the scalp and around the ears and eyes becomes flaky, scaly, and greasy. In extremely rare cases, it may turn severe.

• Nitricumacidum

This is a mineral acid, and as a homeopathic remedy, Nitricumacidum is very effective in treating warts and skin lesions. It has also demonstrated efficacy in treating:

• Mercury abuse
• Cracks and skin fissures
• Ulcers that bleed easily

It is often used to deal with gum issues and bad breath and for treating sores in the corners of the mouth.

These are some of the homeopathic remedies that are present in order to deal with various skin issues for skin treatment. It again depends upon the person who wants to go with the routine or with the homeopathy. At OHO Homeopathy, we ensure that you get the best skin treatment from the best homeopaths so that you are not only satisfied with the results but at the same time you are also able to get long-term relief from the skin issues.