Retinol for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Get to Know Your Retinoids

The umbrella term for all vitamin A molecules, ‘retinoids’ are well-known in the skincare industry for their age-defying properties. They help to increase skin cell regeneration and support collagen production; helping to smooth the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and texture while also helping to prevent breakouts and visibly fade the look of dark spots.

We work with 3 main types of vitamin A molecules;

Retinol the Medik8 Way

There are many different types of vitamin A, however, not all are created equal in power or their effectiveness on the skin. As Experts in Vitamin A, we only use forms with proven scientific evidence to ensure that all of our formulas deliver visible age-defying results for the face and delicate eye area.

What you Need to Know About Retinol for Beginners

When incorporating retinol into your skincare routine, there are a few things that you must consider. If you’re new to retinol, you may experience some mild irritation, redness or dryness - especially if you apply it too frequently or use too much. At Medik8, we have effectively reduced this potential for irritation. All our vitamin A formulas feature unique Time Release and stabilisation technologies, infusing the product gradually into the skin throughout the night for minimal irritation.

How Does Retinol Benefit the Skin?

Retinol is often referred to as the ‘gold-standard’ in vitamin A skincare. When applied to the skin, it is first converted to retinal and then to retinoic acid (the active form of vitamin A). It is at this stage that visible results begin to occur.

Benefits of retinol:

✓ Helps to support collagen production for visibly plump, more youthful-looking skin

✓ Speeds up the skin’s natural exfoliation process for a visibly renewed, smoother-looking complexion

✓ Helps to decrease the production of melanin for visibly brighter, more even-toned skin

What Is the Best Retinol Percentage for Beginners?

For those new to retinol, we recommend starting with our Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream. Featuring 0.2% retinol, it is the perfect smoothing nighttime moisturiser for those looking for a concise evening regime. In our Intelligent Retinol serum range, we offer progressive strengths of retinol (0.3% - 1%) for every level of retinol user. For those new to vitamin A who prefer a silky, oil-like texture or as an upgrade from Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream, we recommend Intelligent Retinol 3TR (0.3% retinol). From there, you can work your way up the ladder for progressive results over time.

Can All Skin Types Use Retinol?

Retinol is a great addition to any youth-renewing skincare routine, however, not all skin types can tolerate retinol. For example, if you have very sensitive skin, retinol may not be suitable for you due to the potential for irritation.

At Medik8, we recommend that everyone use retinal as it is a more potent form of vitamin A. Known as the ‘everyone vitamin A’ it acts 11x faster than retinol^[1] to provide remarkable age-defying, skin-smoothing and radiance-boosting results, fast.

When Should I Start Using Retinol?

You can start using vitamin A as early as your twenties, as for younger skins, retinoids can deliver a multitude of benefits. It can help prevent the visible signs of premature ageing, while also clarifying the complexion for brighter, smoother and healthier-looking skin. Retinal also has antibacterial properties, therefore if you have blemishes and breakouts it can support a visibly clarified, clearer-looking complexion.

Retinol Serums vs Creams: Which Should I Use?

We have a range of retinol products in a variety of formulations to suit all skin types and needs. If you prefer a nourishing, oil-like texture, choose one of our Intelligent Retinol Serums. If you’re looking for a two-in-one night cream, Intelligent Retinol Smoothing Night Cream combines 0.2% retinol in a cocooning and hydrating moisturiser for those who want a simple yet effective evening routine.

How the Skin May Initially React to Retinol

When you first begin using retinoids, you may experience some itching, redness, dryness or sensitivity. Therefore, we always advise introducing vitamin A products into your routine slowly and gradually - increasing the strength over time.

At Medik8, we have effectively reduced this potential for irritation. All our vitamin A formulas feature unique Time Release and stabilisation technologies, infusing the product gradually into the skin throughout the night for minimal irritation and maximum visible results. We recommend everyone to use retinal as it is a more potent form of vitamin A than retinol, and provides faster and better visible results. It is also less irritating on the skin, which means that you can have a more potent product without compromising on your skin’s comfort.

What Should I Do if My Skin has a Bad Reaction to Retinol?

As explained, retinoids can have the potential to cause the skin to become dry and irritated when you first start to use it. To help avoid any irritation potential, we always recommend to introduce vitamin A gradually and slowly into your routine, increasing their strength over time. For vitamin A beginners, use your chosen product twice a week for the first two weeks, every other night for the next two weeks, then every night.

If you have been following our guidelines and you’re still finding that your skin is becoming irritated, you might be using too much of the product, or using it too frequently.

Beginners Retinol Skincare Routine

It is important that you use your chosen retinol product correctly to ensure optimum age-defying results and maximum benefits. Our innovative CSA Philosophy is our simple and clinically proven approach to youthful-looking, radiant skin - both instantly and over time. It’s as easy as using vitamin C plus sunscreen in the morning and vitamin A (retinol/retinal) at night. At Medik8, we firmly believe that every great skincare routine should begin with these 3 fundamental formulas .

Tips for Introducing Retinol Into your Skincare Routine

✓ Start slowly: With any new skincare ingredient or product, it is important that you introduce it into your routine slowly to minimise any irritation potential. If you’re new to vitamin A , begin using it twice a week for the first 2 weeks, then every other night for the next 2 weeks, then every night.

✓ Always wear SPF: Vitamin A can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun’s damaging UV rays, therefore it is very important that you wear sunscreen while using retinoids to help keep your skin protected against premature ageing.

✓ Moisturise: Vitamin A may cause your skin to become dry when you first start to use it. To help keep your skin feeling nourished and hydrated, we always recommend that you follow with a nourishing moisturiser.

What Ingredients to Avoid When Using Retinol

While using vitamin A, it is important that you avoid using other skincare products that also contain vitamin A at the same time, as this could cause your skin to become irritated. If your skin is particularly sensitive, we recommend skipping exfoliating toners that contain ingredients such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, as vitamin A already has skin renewing properties.

Some skin types are extremely sensitive or intolerant to vitamin A, and pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised against using it entirely. Bakuchiol Peptides is a great plant-based alternative for helping to achieve similar visible results as you would when using a vitamin A product - however the visible effects may take longer to appear on the skin. Therefore, if you aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding you might prefer to use a different type of retinoid.

Medik8’s Vitamin A Products

Medik8’s favourite vitamin A: Retinal

^{[1]G. Siegenthaler et al., Retinol and retinal metabolism, Biochemical Journal, 1990, 268, pp 371-378
[2]H. Kim et al., Synthesis and in vitro biological activity of retinyl retinoate, a novel hybrid retinoid derivative, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2008, 15;16(12), pp 6387-93}