Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A. This active ingredient is particularly effective in fighting the signs of skin aging. It is generally recommended to care for mature skin, but can also benefit younger skin and prevent the appearance of wrinkles.
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At What Age Can I Start Taking Retinol?
Summary
- Retinol, an Overview
- Starting Retinol at Age 25, a Solution To Prevent Skin Aging
- Retinol To Fight Wrinkles That Set In Between the Ages of 30 and 40
- Retinol, an Active Ingredient Adapted to Mature Skin
- Sources
Published November 18, 2021,
updated on March 18, 2025,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
5 min read
Retinol, an Overview.
Retinol is considered one of the most effective compounds to counteract the damage of the skin's support fibers. When applied topically, it is metabolized in its acid form, which is particularly active in the fight against skin aging. Indeed, it stimulates the production of collagen and elastin for a smoother and more elastic skin. In addition, retinol is known for its antioxidant properties which prevent premature aging of skin cells. It also has an action on the production of melanin in the skin, allowing to reduce the appearance of brown spots that can appear with age.
When applied to the skin, retinol is oxidized into retinal and then metabolized into retinoic acid. This active form of retinol is capable of effectively fighting skin photoaging and smoothing the skin texture.
Nevertheless, this high efficiency is accompanied by a well-known irritant potential. Retinol can indeed cause redness and skin discomfort among people with sensitive or even atopic skin. Faced with this, the European Union regulation has limited its concentration in non-rinsed cosmetic products to 0.3%.
Please note! As a precaution, the use of retinol by pregnant and/or breastfeeding women is not recommended.
Starting Retinol at Age 25, a Solution To Prevent Skin Aging.
Without it being necessarily visible, cellular degeneration begins around the age of twenty. The skin's aging process is initiated. Biological factors, such as the progressive decrease in the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen or elastin by the body, explain this. But environmental factors such as alcohol and cigarette abuse, unprotected exposure to the sun, pollution and also stress accelerate this process even more.
Faced with this, it is advisable to take care of your skin even before the first wrinkles appear. Therefore, around the age of 25, it may be appropriate to gradually incorporate retinol into your skin care routine. Choose a skin care product with a fairly low percentage, around 0.1%. Thanks to its antioxidant properties, retinol will help young skin fight against oxidative stress generated by free radicals to prevent the appearance of wrinkles. For example, at the end of your evening routine, you can apply the firming face cream containing 0.2% retinol, to gently start using this active ingredient.
Retinol To Fight Wrinkles That Set In Between the Ages of 30 and 40.
During this age, many people see wrinkles appear but still have some acne breakouts. To counter this, we have developed a wrinkle and blemish serum. It combines the densifying action of retinol (0.3%) with the anti-bacterial action of bakuchiol (1%) to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and correct imperfections. Synthesized by plants endemic to Australia, the polypeptides it contains are able to act in synergy with retinol. They promote the synthesis of type I collagen. They thus help reduce the depth of wrinkles and redensify the skin. These peptides also help maintain a thick epidermis, which plays its role as a shield against the environment.
Retinol, an Active Ingredient Adapted to Mature Skin.
Retinol is therefore a powerful active ingredient for preventing the appearance of wrinkles, but it is also widely recognized for its ability to attenuate the signs of aging already present and plump up the skin. As a result, for mature skin, a higher concentration of retinol (around 0.3%) is recommended to have a smoothing effect on the epidermis.
If you wish to smooth out your wrinkles and/or pigmentation spots on the face, we recommend our wrinkles and fine lines serum formulated with 0.3% retinol. Apply it preferably in the evening to avoid a skin reaction to the sun's UV rays. Allow at least four weeks to see the first effects. Mature skin can also see fine lines appear on the neck and décolleté. To alleviate these minor skin discomforts, we have developed the neck and décolleté serum formulated with 0.2% retinol.
Sources :
WANG L. H. Simultaneous determination of retinal, retinol and retinoic acid (all-trans and 13-cis) in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals at electrodeposited metal electrodes. Analytica Chimica Acta (2000).
KAFI & al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin a (retinol). Archives of Dermatology (2007).
QUAN. T. & al. Molecular basis of retinol anti-aging properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2016).
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