Retinol has become the gold standard of care for a range of skin issues, from persistent acne to smoothing and minimizing the signs of aging on maturing skin. Chances are you’ve heard of retinol serum, and how it actually heals and reverses damage to the skin, rather than just masking the signs of aging.

Retinol serum can work to reverse damage, heal your skin, and support healthy cellular functions that work to keep your skin smooth, radiant, and youthful looking. Here’s the scoop on how it works.

Retinols work to rejuvenate your skin on several levels. They work by penetrating the upper layers of the skin and producing changes on a cellular level that promote cell turnover, otherwise known as cellular rejuvenation.

When we’re younger, our skin cells turnover at a relatively fast rate. If you’re older than about 25 you’ve probably noticed some changes brought about by the slow decline of cellular regeneration. Your skin might not look as fresh and vibrant after a night of less than great sleep, and those first fine lines catch you off guard much sooner than you were expecting them. By the time you reach the age of 30, these changes are even more noticeable. It’s estimated that between the ages of 30 and 80, cell turnover slows down by about 50%.

There are a lot of products out there that claim to address these changes, but most of them only mask the symptoms. They might help dry, maturing skin hold in more moisture, or reduce the visibility of fine lines by plumping them up but the results are temporary because the root cause isn’t addressed. This is how retinol serum is different.

Because retinol serum increases cell turnover, you’re shedding those old, damaged cells and exchanging them for healthier cells beneath the surface. Patches of dry, damaged, or discolored skin are shed, as new smoother, even toned skin is revealed.

Retinol serums also enhance the production of collagen. Collagen is one of the most plentiful proteins in your body, and it’s a main supportive building blocks of your skin, along with playing a crucial supportive role in your muscles, bones, tendons, and more.

What I’m going to say next probably isn’t going to come as much of a surprise, but collagen production also declines as we age. This is why mature skin isn’t as firm and resilient as younger skin. When you apply retinol serum regularly, you’re working to support and enhance collagen production, which not only helps your skin look younger but actually prevents premature aging and reverses damage on a certain level.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Retinol Serum

It’s always best to follow the instructions, or usage suggestions, for your skincare products, and this is even more true for products containing retinols. If you have experience using prescription retinoids, you’re already aware that there can be some side effects. Non-prescription retinols are much gentler but should still be used with respect to how powerful they can be. Here are a few tips for properly using your retinol serum and maximizing your results.

Start with a gentle retinol serum. It can be tempting to go for the strongest retinol products with the highest concentration of active ingredients – after all, you’re looking for results. However, when it comes to retinols, less is often more. While retinols are gentler than their prescription counterparts, your skin might still require a bit of adjusting to the new products. Start gentle, assess how your skin tolerates the serum, and wait for the beautiful results.

Don’t think of retinol serum as a spot treatment. Instead of using retinol serum only on your problem areas, or the spots where those first signs of aging are appearing, apply the serum to your entire face, neck, and even the backs of your hands to get the most benefit.

Results require patience. Retinol serum works, but it doesn’t produce miracles overnight. Follow the directions provided with your retinol serum, be diligent with the rest of your skincare routine, and be patient – the results you’re looking for will happen if you wait for them.

Apply retinol serum to dry skin. For best results, wait until your skin is completely dry before applying your retinol serum. Unlike some other moisturizing products that work best on slightly damp skin because they immediately seal in that moisture, retinol appears to do its best work on a dry surface.

Don’t forget the sunscreen. Retinol serum can make your skin more susceptible to damage from UV rays, so make sure you’re applying an adequate amount of sunscreen to your face and neck (or anywhere you use retinol) before heading outside.

Are Retinol Serums the Answer to Healthy, Youthful Looking Skin?

Is your retinol serum the magical cure that will leave your skin radiantly youthful looking? Well, retinol serums can do wonders for helping you achieve your most beautiful complexion. However, truly radiant skin requires more than just one simple, effective serum.

It requires a commitment to regular skincare, and living a clean, simple life that promotes natural beauty from within. The best approach to beautiful skin is one that approaches it from every angle, including the use of a gently formulated retinol serum in your regular skincare routine.