WHAT’S RETINOL ALL ABOUT?

Today we’re diving into one of the OGs of anti-ageing and debunking myths about this legendary ingredient – Retinol. It’s got more studies and stories than a binge-worthy TV series: let’s break it down.

WHAT’S RETINOL?

Retinol (or Vitamin A) is one of the most researched and tested anti-ageing ingredients in the history of skincare (which, let’s be honest, isn’t that long, but still). Vitamin A has been around for ages, but it started getting serious attention in dermatology back in the 60s.

And get this – it was discovered almost by accident. They were testing acne treatments, and, lo and behold, they noticed not only did acne clear up, but wrinkles did too. So, Retinol became the secret star of skincare.

IS RETINOL ONLY FOR WRINKLES?

FALSE

The end result of retinol is that it makes the skin have fewer wrinkles, look softer, firmer and smoother.

But its great effect, said in a very typical way, is like that of a trainer who puts your skin factory to work so that it itself regenerates and produces things at full speed (collagen mainly, but also proteins, factors natural hydration,…).

That is why retinol causes the thickness of the epidermis to increase, prevents photo-aging, dilutes fine lines, ...But in addition to all that, due to its ability to launch cellular regeneration mechanisms a la Wolverine, it also comes great against acne, clogged pores, spots and freckles, melasma, hyperpigmentation,…. A song, wow.

IS ANY PERCENTAGE OF RETINOL EFFECTIVE?

NOT

From 0.1% it will be effective on your skin and you will notice the effects over the weeks (if it is near the eyes, even with much less)

From 2025, the maximum amount allowed in the EU is 0.3% (don't be scared... it is a preventive issue to prevent you from going over the daily amount because you combine creams, foods and other sources of this vitamin... not because there is any risk )

If you want more than that %... it is possible and it is 100% safe, but you have to first go to a doctor to get a prescription.

That said, there is a lot of confusion with the percentages that appear on the jars for three reasons:

FIRST:

First, because not all of the mountain is retinol, but there are derivatives of vitamin A: Retinyl, Retinal, ... and not all with the same 'potency'. Depending on what you use, you will need more or less %

SECOND:

Because in laboratories new molecules are made from Retinol (Granactive, Retinol Complex,...) so that they have a slower diffusion in the skin, because they mix it with other ingredients or to minimize possible reactions... This means that you cannot Compare the percentages directly between one brand and another.

THIRD:

because it is a very expensive ingredient and some marketing people prefer to say 'it has retinol-like or pro-retinol' without explaining the %... and thus they promote lirili, even though the cream has little substance.

DO I HAVE TO WAIT 12 WEEKS TO SEE RESULTS?

YES AND NO

1. The first effects are seen at the end of the first month.

2. They become more evident at the end of the second month.

3. And there is no doubt about the effects at the end of the third.

4. But the cool – cool – cool thing is the constant and long-lasting effects after using it for years on the skin. Yes, you heard us… YEARS.

For more detail, see this post we wrote about it.

HAVE I HEARD THAT RETINOL IRRITATES AND FLAKES?

FALSE

It could occur in high concentrations, old products that do not mitigate the effects or very sensitive skin... and in addition, some irritation is normal in the first and second week called 'retinization' or, as we say, 'the sores at the gym of the first days' that are spent with training.

That said, all manufacturers (including us) give advance notice to the group to be careful because we are scared shitless if someone posts a photo on social media with a red face and says it's our fault... but unless you do crazy, NOTHING is going to happen to you.

At most, for a couple of days the area of the crow's feet that is most sensitive could turn red (and there is no plan to put the cream in the middle of your eyeball either). But, starting slowly during the first week (2 days) and the second (one day on, one day off), you should not have any problems.

IS IT TRUE THAT RETINOL CANNOT BE USED DAYTIME?

FALSE

The thing is that retinol is photosensitive, that is, it loses effectiveness if you expose it to the sun and you are wasting money. To avoid it? - then a lifetime sunscreen on top and that's it.

Even so, we prefer to tell you to put it on at night, so that you can let it act all the hours you spend sleeping, thus avoiding washing it, touching yourself, rubbing yourself...

SHOULD YOU STOP RETINOL IN SUMMER?

FALSE

In fact, if you stop completely in the summer, you 'lose' the effects gained during the year and you will have to resume 'the course' in September. Retinol is, in that sense, like the gym. It is 'normal' to relax for a season... but let it be because you prefer to go through everything... not because you are afraid of a specific season.

AND THAT I HAVE HEARD THAT BAKUCHIOL IS VEGETABLE RETINOL?

FALSE

There is a lot of hype with another ingredient – Bakuchiol – which is constantly compared to Retinol… and the comparisons are hateful.

They are compared for 1.: Marketing and 2.: because it LOOKS like it may have similar effects on the skin.

Bakuchiol is an antioxidant, it delays the degradation of collagen, it is anti-inflammatory, it could help acne... and all very cool, but the only thing is that the evidence in scientific studies for all of the above is very limited and, for now, little solid.

Come on, bakuchiol is an ingredient that promises, but today, it has not yet proven. Furthermore, retinol does not have to come from animal origin (like in our WOW YOUNG, which is synthetic) so there are vegan alternatives to retinol… that they are still retinol, hehe

Anyway, closing today's express masterclass with retinol we only have to say: that Retinol is COOL as Camilo would say and that used wisely as in our WOW YOUNG, it is safe, effective and guarantees younger skin in a matter of weeks.

DOES ANYONE GIVE MORE?

WOW YOUNG

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WHAT’S RETINOL ALL ABOUT?

WHAT’S RETINOL?

IS RETINOL ONLY FOR WRINKLES?

FALSE

The end result of using Retinol is that it reduces wrinkles, makes your skin smoother, firmer, and all-round better.

But the real magic of Retinol is that it’s like a personal trainer for your skin. It gets your skin to work overtime, regenerating and producing all sorts of good stuff (mainly collagen, but also proteins, natural hydration factors, and more).

So, Retinol thickens the epidermis, prevents sun damage, smooths out fine lines… and that’s just the start! Thanks to its cell-renewal power (kind of like Wolverine), it’s also fab for acne, blocked pores, spots, melasma, and hyperpigmentation. It’s a total winner.

DOES ANY RETINOL PERCENTAGE WORK?

NOT

From 0.1% onwards, Retinol is effective and you’ll start seeing results within a few weeks (around the eyes even quicker).

From 2025, the maximum allowed concentration in the EU will be 0.3% (don’t panic… it’s just a precaution to avoid exceeding daily limits from different sources like creams and food, not because of any risk).

Want more than that? You can get it and it’s 100% safe, but you’ll need a doctor’s prescription first.

Speaking of percentages, it’s a bit of a minefield for three reasons:

FIRST:

not all Vitamin A derivatives are Retinol – there are Retinyl, Retinal, and others, and they’re not all equally potent. Depending on what you use, you’ll need different percentages.

SECOND:

Labs create new molecules from Retinol (Granactive, Retinol Complex, etc.) for slower release in the skin, to mix with other ingredients, or to minimise reactions… so you can’t compare percentages directly between brands.

THIRD:

Retinol is pricey and some brands just say “retinol-like” or “pro-retinol” without specifying the percentage… so they can hype up their product, even if it’s lacking in substance.

DO I HAVE TO WAIT 12 WEEKS TO SEE RESULTS?

YES AND NO

1. You’ll see the first effects at the end of the first month.

2. They’ll become more noticeable by the end of the second month.

3. And by the third month, you’ll see clear results.

4. But the real kicker is the long-term, consistent effects if you use it for years. Yes, you heard that right… YEARS.

For more details, check out this post we wrote about it.

I’VE HEARD RETINOL CAN IRRITATE AND PEEL?

FALSE

It can happen at high concentrations, with old products that don’t mitigate the effects, or with very sensitive skin… and it’s normal to experience a bit of irritation in the first couple of weeks – we call it “retinization” or, in gym terms, “DOMS” (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) that fades with time.

All manufacturers (including us) give a heads-up because we’re scared someone might post a photo with a red face and blame us… but as long as you don’t go overboard, you should be fine.

You might experience a bit of redness around the sensitive areas like crow’s feet (but don’t slather it in your eyes). Start slowly in the first week (two days) and then every other day in the second week, and you shouldn’t have any issues.

IS IT TRUE THAT RETINOL CAN’T BE USED DURING THE DAY?

FALSE

Retinol is light-sensitive, meaning it loses its effectiveness if exposed to the sun – so that’d be a waste of money. To avoid this, just slap on some sunscreen over it, and you’re good to go.

Still, we recommend using it at night so it can work while you’re asleep, and you won’t wash it off or rub it away...

DO I NEED TO TAKE A BREAK FROM RETINOL IN SUMMER?

FALSE

If you stop completely in the summer, you’ll lose the progress you’ve made over the year and have to start all over again in September. Think of Retinol like the gym – it’s okay to take a break now and then, but do it because you want to, not because you’re scared of a particular season.

AND WHAT ABOUT BAKUCHIOL – THE “PLANT-BASED RETINOL”?

FALSE

There’s a lot of buzz about Bakuchiol, which is often compared to Retinol… but the comparisons aren’t always fair.

They’re compared because 1) of marketing and 2) because it LOOKS like it could have similar effects on the skin.

Bakuchiol is antioxidant, delays collagen breakdown, has anti-inflammatory properties, and could help with acne… sounds great, but the scientific studies on it are still quite limited and not very solid.

So, Bakuchiol has potential but hasn’t proven itself yet. Plus, Retinol doesn’t have to be animal-derived (like in our WOWYOUNG, which is synthetic), so there are vegan Retinol alternatives… and they’re still Retinol, hehe.

To wrap up this express masterclass on Retinol: all we can say is: Retinol IS THE BOMB, as Camilo would say, and used wisely like in our WOWYOUNG, it’s safe, effective, and will give you younger-looking skin in a matter of weeks.

ANYONE UP FOR MORE?

WOW YOUNG

Anti-age night cream with retinol

Minimizes wrinkles, expression lines and combats acne

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