SKIN CARE BOOT CAMP!

Hello everyone!

We are hitting the last day of August…meaning… Summer is coming to an end, it’s back to school time and Fall is right next door!

Some of you must have gone to the beach for sun bathing. You may already know but being exposed to sun can increase dark spots, large pores and wrinkles.

Now that Fall and cool weather is arriving soon, we would like to give you a little heads up in repairing the damage and renewing your complexion ready for the cool weather.

Today, another SKINCARE BASICS post will focus on one particular element I have learned during the skincare workshop I attended early this month: RETINOL. It is an important part of anti-aging process like skin firming and skin renewal.

Retinol is a medical term to define it as vitamin A. It’s an element part of skin renewal process if you want youthful and healthy skin in the long term.

There are two types of retinoid that you may want to know: retinoid acid and retinol.

RETINOID ACID 

Retinoid Acid seems to have existed way longer than Retinol for skin renewal. It is known as the “acidic version of vitamin A or retinol.” Not only it gives an effective results in healthier skin but retinoid help increase collagen formation and decrease collagen and elastin breakdown.  

According to Oprah’s online article, dated since July 2009, claimed that retinoid “unclog pores, boost collagen to reduce fine lines, and speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin.”

The first retinoid product to be approved by the FDA was the brand name Retin-A, almost 40 years ago.

http://thebestpicklist.blogspot.com/2011/07/retin-cream-before-after.html

It is only prescribed to patients to treat acne. Also, Retin-A is effective in the treatment and prevention of photoaging, such as reduce dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles and smooth the skin.

Retin-A was very popular at that time as patients experienced clearer, softer, brighter and smoother skin. Soon enough, many other brands on the market would release their own prescription products to treat acne. But some may be stronger than others, and patients may experience irritation, redness, temporary peeling and increase in sun sensitivity.

In terms of sun sensitivity, Oprah says, on her article, that “the ingredient itself is sensitive to sunlight” and so she suggests applying the retinoid product before bed at night. 

But if you want to use it during the day, make sure to apply a small amount of retinoid as it can cause dryness and sunscreen of at least SPF 15 or 30 PA +++. 

Brief note: PA or PFA means Protection Factor A and the “plus” sign indicates more protection to sun exposure in a day, meaning the more “plus” the better. 

RETINOL (ALCOHOL)

Retinol is known as vitamin A alcohol. It is said that this element seems to be less effective in terms of skin renewal process. On the other hand, retinol has proven its strong efficiency in “decreasing excessive breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin.”

When applying a small amount of retinol topically, it appears to help skin repair. It is not recommended to take retinal oral doses on daily basis as it can causes liver damage.

Retinol helps improve your skin, reverses the aging process for a youthful look, brightens up, smooths your skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.

The element of retinol is becoming a huge hit as being a new technology in the Beauty market, nowadays. It is easier to get your hands on them, as you don’t need doctor prescription. There are plenty of new products from the over-the-counter brands to get the right products for your own needs:

• ·       For rehydration and sensitive skin
• ·       For minimizing fine lines
• ·       For firming sagging skin
• ·       For reduce in dark spots
• ·       For tightening enlarged pores

L.A. based dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban says, 

“September is the perfect time to rewrite our skincare mission statement.” 

– Marie Claire US September Issue 2012

On the West side of the planet, it is highly recommended for anybody, who have been exposed to the Sun over the Summer, to add a product that contains retinoid in their skin care regimen.

For those who live in the hot/humid countries, like Thailand, I would suggest you to start looking for a retinoid product too. We are exposed to Sun rays everyday for 365 days!

No matter where you are when reading this post, we must take good care of our skin when exposed to the Sun. If you remember in my last SKINCARE BASICS post, skin cells, including collagen and elastin, are built up every day but die too! 

HOW TO START!

If you are in the process of changing your skin care routine, start small. Don’t go overboard with tons of new products or your skin will go nuts and your wallet will get very upset!

In general, when you start to use more than 1 NEW product, your skin tends to get sensitive and usually, skin reaction occurs but you have no idea which product has caused that. So one product at a time, see which one works well at that particular moment. If one product is finished and you want to try a new one, go ahead. If you feel irritation or redness occurs, please stop using that product immediately!

The most important tip of today, “give your skin a weeklong break!”

To start off, you may want to find a gentle cleanser and a light moisturizer “with emollient like shea butter, natural oils, and ceramides” to protect your fragile, sensitive skin. 

Let your skin restarts building a strong barrier on top of the epidermis, as well as building up collagen and elastin. Once you feel that your skin looks healthy and strong, you may start using retinoid products or scrubs again.

Alright, this has been quite a long informational post! I hope you have managed to differ between retinoid and retinol. THAT skincare workshop really has been a great help in taking better care of my youthful skin!

I’m very happy to share information with you all! Are you?

If you would like me suggest any retinoid products, please send me an email to rosiedolly@gmail.com

Or throw questions to my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/RosieDolly

Or Twitter @rosiedolly314

And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @rosiedolly for daily photo updates!

DISCLAIMER: no products can be mentioned in this SKINCARE BASICS series, as no advertising/promotional purpose can be made.

See you next time!

Love,

Rosie

References:

RETINOIDS AS SKIN RENEWAL: http://reverseskinaging.com/renewalmethods7.html

OPRAH’S YOUR SKIN’S NEW BEST FRIEND: http://www.oprah.com/style/Retinoid-Skin-Creams-Why-You-Should-Use-a-Retinoid

RETINOIDS AND SKIN CARE:

http://www.cosmeticsurgerybaltimore.com/html/retinoids.html