Do’s and Don’ts of Retinol Products

What is retinol, why do we need it and how do we use it? It’s a winner on our top vitamins for skin list. We’ve talked about retinol before, explaining all about where and how we source our retinol. You can learn more in-depth facts about our use of retinol and its benefits here. In the meantime, we thought it was time for a refresher on the subject, since retinol products are so important in our skin care but can sometimes go overlooked. Much like the rest of our skin care, there are effective ways to use retinol products and things to avoid. We’ll go over rules, complimentary skin care steps, and of course a complete list of 100% PURE products that can help do the job.

Retinol Rules

Retinol is essentially vitamin A that says bye-bye to old skin cells and can help trigger collagen production in our skin. Collagen is basically what’s responsible for that Jlo glow we’re all after. It keeps our skin plump and juicy so that we can look our freshest and most fabulous. Unfortunately, if used improperly, retinol can cause a bit of damage, so be sure to read labels and instructions before use! When using retinol, it can cause peeling and flaking of the skin since it’s a form of exfoliation. This is why we recommend using retinol products at nighttime only. Using retinol products during the day can expose new skin to harsh UV rays and increase our risk of sunburn. Speaking of sunburn – don’t forget the SPF, girl. We should be protecting our skin from the sun no matter what, but especially when using retinol products. Finally, to ensure the most safety, do not combine retinol products with facial peels or other forms of deep exfoliation. It’s best to use this product in 3-4 month cycles; observe the results, give your skin a break and then re-introduce retinol back in for the best overall outcome.

Retinol products that work well under the moonlight, rather than the sun, include our Retinol PM Eye Cream. This cream is packed with rosehip, chamomile and glycerin. The florals are super soothing and calming on the skin, especially for those of us that suffer from dry eye areas. The glycerin helps to draw moisture into the eye area and hold it there for longer-lasting hydration. We recommend using a dime sized amount and patting into the eye area just before bed to wake up with pretty peepers the next morning. Throw in our Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Potent PM Serum for even more retinol power. The potency in this serum helps to brighten, boost collagen and reverse signs of aging including age spots and wrinkles.

If a cream or a balm is more your speed, add in our Multi-Vitamin + Antioxidants Ultra-Riche PM Treatment that’s sure to keep your skin on fleek. But for the full Monty, holy grail, Beyoncé of retinol skin care regimens, we suggest using all three in a healthy rotation to support but not overwhelm the skin.

Looking for a different type of retinol product great for application to your full face? Look no further than our Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm. This vegetarian product features avocado oil, olive oil and organic beeswax. Avocado oil is super rich in fatty acids and olive oil is an excellent source of vitamin E. The fatty avocado is great for reducing signs of aging and maintaining healthy skin cells, while the vitamin E helps to support moisturized, nourished skin. Finally, the beeswax provides a layer of skin protection while we sleep. As we know, skin can become dehydrated while we drift off in slumberland. For those of us that sleep under a million blankets, have the window open or the heater blasting at night (especially during the winter), our skin is fighting bacteria and harsh climates to stay hydrated. An ingredient like beeswax makes a protective layer on top of our skin that keeps the nutrients and moisture in, while providing a buffer for heat and cold temperatures.

A wise woman once said that a woman’s age is shown in the hands and neck. This is why we at 100% PURE are huge fans of bringing skin care down our neck and chest. These areas are often exposed to the most sun and are therefore at risk for the quickest signs of aging. Instead of slapping on your overnight balm, though, we created a product specifically for this purpose. Try our Retinol Restorative Neck Cream. It’s lighter than a balm and sinks in just perfectly. It’s well loved by our fans and in addition to some of the ingredients in our other retinol products, our neck cream has caffeine inside for a subtle tightening and lifting effect on the skin.

We’re pretty sure that after reading this you’ll be saying a hundred times yes to retinol! This gentle but powerful skin changing vitamin A derivative gives skin the youthful boost we all want to see as our collagen production depletes during the 20s and 30s transition. Which retinol product piqued your interest the most and if you’ve already been using one of our beloved retinol products, which new product are you most interested in trying? Like we always say, there’s no such thing as too much great skin care.