Live in Kamloops, BC, and have been thinking about trying retinol serum, but don’t know where to start? Well, keep reading!
If you live in a dry climate like Kamloops and you’ve hesitated to try a retinol serum, are keen to learn more about it, and want to explore a medical-grade skincare line, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog about retinol serum, we’ll tell you what retinol is, what it’s used for, how to use it, and what products to use with it. We’ll also share more about AlumierMD (our go-to skincare line) and its successful product lineup.
Let’s get into it!
What is Retinol Serum?
Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is an ingredient added to skin creams, lotions, and serums with anti-aging effects. Products containing retinol are widely available over-the-counter, like AlumierMD, and stronger concentrations are available via prescription.
Retinol serums for men and women come in a variety of forms, including:
- Creams
- Gels
- Lotions
- Ointments
- Serums
- As an ingredient in cosmetic products
Retinol starts to work immediately in your cells, but, like many supplements, it can take several weeks before you see an improvement in the look and feel of your skin. Don’t lose hope if your skin condition looks worse in the beginning—it’s just adjusting to your new routine.
The different types of topical (medications you put on your skin) retinoids (prescription strength skincare products) available are:
- Adapalene (Differin®, Epiduo®)
- Alitretinoin (Panretin®)
- Bexarotene (Targretin®)
- Tazarotene (Tazorac®, Avage®)
- Tretinoin (Atralin®, Avita®, Refissa®, Renova®, Retin-A®, Tretin-X®)
First-time retinol user in Kamloops or the surrounding area? We highly recommend speaking to a professional ahead of starting your retinol routine to make sure you’re choosing the best concentration for your skin’s tolerance levels.
Precautions for Using Retinol Products In Any Climate!
Remember: Retinol is a powerful tool for anti-aging and acne, but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. If you’re prone to allergies or have extremely sensitive skin, consult a specialist before introducing it into your regime.
See below in the section about AlumierMD if you have any product questions, AlumierMD has a live chat on their website. Amazing products and customer service—they can do no wrong!
What Does Retinol Serum Do?
Honestly, a whole heck of a lot!
Retinol can:
- Increase skin cell production (proliferation)
- Unclog pores
- Exfoliate your skin
- Increase collagen production
- Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Help treat acne, acne scars, and stretch marks
- Give your skin a fresher, plumper appearance
More specifically, retinol is great for helping with the following:
- Acne
- Acne Scars
- Dark Spots (hyperpigmentation, sun spots, age spots, and liver spots)
- Large Pores
- Kaposi Sarcoma (a rare cancer that can affect people with weakened immune systems)
- Melasma (a skin disorder that leads to dark spots or patches on sun-exposed areas)
- Psoriasis (a skin disorder that causes new skin cells to grow too fast, causing inflammation)
- Stretch Marks (from pregnancy, weight gain, extreme weight loss, or rapid muscle growth)
- Wrinkles
Many retinol-based products, such as AlumierMD’s Retinol Resurfacing Serum 0.25, Retinol Resurfacing Serum 0.5, and Retinol Resurfacing Serum 1.0 contain pure potent retinol that improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and skin texture, while evening skin tone. It’s cutting-edge microencapsulated, which allows for a gradual timed release overnight. Maximum results are achieved in comfort thanks to the added soothing and hydrating ingredients like niacinamide, honey, and sodium hyaluronate.
How Do I Use a Retinol Serum?
You’ve checked with a professional, found the right retinol serum, and are now ready to test it out—amazing!
If you’re a first-timer, try doing a patch test by putting a little bit of product on a small area of your skin. After a couple of days, if your skin isn’t red or itchy, you can start to add retinol to your bedtime skincare routine.
At this stage? Let’s get to it! If you chatted with a professional or dermatologist, you’ll follow their instructions. Alternatively, you can follow the instructions on the package of your product. Generally, you’ll follow a sequence like this for your nighttime skincare routine:
- Clean your skin with a gentle cleanser and pat dry
- Take a pea-sized amount of retinol serum and apply it in a thin layer over your entire face, avoiding your mouth, nose, and eyes
- Add a moisturizer that won’t clog your pores
During the first couple of weeks of using a low-strength retinol, apply it only every other day while your skin adjusts to it. Using a stronger retinol formulation? Apply only once a week for the first 3 weeks. Starting slow is the best way to go.
Using retinol products makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so use sunscreen and avoid the sun as much as possible.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using any new products, supplements, or medications.
What Other Products Can I Use With Retinol Serum?
If you’ve made it this far, you know retinol is a powerhouse with many benefits. But, that doesn’t mean it plays well with other skincare products. It can dry your skin out, so you’ll want to avoid other products that can also do this.
If you’re located in Kamloops or the surrounding area, you know how dry it gets around here. So, choosing the right retinol serum and using the right products alongside it that work well in a dry climate will make a big difference.
Not to worry, there are heaps of products that work well with retinol.
For most people, you can use retinol with:
Here’s what you should avoid while using retinol:
- Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
- Benzoyl Peroxide
Always speak to a professional to find the right skincare combinations for you.
The Best Medical-Grade Skincare: AlumierMD
If you’re in Kamloops, you know you can count on your friends at Nicola Eye Care (that’s us!) to make sure your eye health is top-notch. But did you know that we also carry a medical-grade skincare line—AlumierMD Canada?
If you don’t know, now you know…We’re so happy to offer AlumierMD Canada—a perfect blend of science and luxury. All of their products are dye-free, animal cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, artificial fragrance-free, and safe for sensitive skin.
Alumier, from the word illuminate, means to make clear or bright. AlumierMD is a professionally-dispensed medical-grade skincare brand that’s dedicated to the latest advancements in clean science.
Our goal: be your go-to for clear vision and radiant skin. And our partnership with AlumierMD gets us one step closer to achieving that!
Introduce AlumierMD Into Your Skincare Routine
How do you choose the right retinol product when you live in a dry climate like Kamloops? Like we’ve said before, it’s so important to speak to a professional or dermatologist to make sure you’re picking one that works with your skin.
And it’s no secret that our top choice is AlumierMD. Not only are their core values (clean, corrective, and committed) aligned with ours, but their skincare products are the ones we trust most—including eye-safe products like AluminEye and Retinol Eye Gel.
Ready to start your retinol serum journey? Let’s make it happen! Contact us or visit us in our Kamloops Optometrist clinic. We can’t wait to see you!