What is Retinol?

Retinol is derived from vitamin A. The way it works at the cellular level is by stimulating the fibroblast–the cells inside the skin–to build more collagen. Collagen is a protein that is the basic building block the body uses to build stronger, healthier skin.

Over time the skin begins to get thinner and thinner. Retinol helps to combat this thinning effect by boosting the production of collagen and thickening the skin.

Retinol also increases cell turnover, achieving a fresher, more youthful, and glowing appearance. Retinol reduces pigmentation concerns because it has a “micro peel” effect that refreshes the skin at the cellular level. I explain more about how Retinol works in this video, and below. 

At a minimum, you should be applying a product with Retinol three times a week, but ideally, every single day. Apply it every day, beginning at some point in your 30s and continuing throughout the rest of your life.

Retinol can be a confusing topic in the skincare world. There are misconceptions and myths about this product.

Here are the straight facts on some of these:

Retinol actually thickens the skin because it triggers the production of collagen.

You can still go out in the sun if you’re using Retinol. Put Retinol on at night and use a good, broad-spectrum sunscreen when you’re out in the sun during the day. Once you’re past the initial reaction stage stronger doses of Retinol can cause, your skin will be a little more sensitive to the sun, but if you’re using the right sunscreen, this should be no problem.

Retinol can potentially make your wrinkles worse when you first start using it. The initial drying aspect can cause this appearance, but once your skin gets used to it after the initial couple of weeks, the skin looks firmer and more youthful.

When you first start using Retinol, the skin starts to get red, inflamed, and flaky or peeling. Seeing this, many people stop using it or rarely use it. The way Retinol should be used begins with three times a week. There will be a period of change as your skin reacts to it. If you can push through it, the results are well worth it. Then, build up to using it every day by the time a couple of weeks pass.

However, most people are not willing to go through this period of time and don’t want to deal with the red, inflamed, flaking skin. The best thing to do in this case is to use products that have microdoses of Retinol. Combining Vitamin C, an anti-inflammatory, and an enriching moisturizer, are also key to using Retinol properly. Together, they work with synergy to achieve beautiful effects.

Almost any skincare product that includes Retinol is helpful and generally effective. However, products that include Retinol in microdoses, like Trifecta, can be important if you’re wanting something lighter you can use without experiencing significant flaking and redness as you get used to it.

To help patients who want to see beautiful, fresh skin and walk back the signs of age, I created Trifecta: three simple products you can easily use every day, including the following vital ingredients for youthful, healthy, glowing skin: 

• Retinol 
• Vitamin C 
• Niacinimide 
• Hyaluronic acid serum and lipids 
• Non-hydroquinone lighteners 
• Peptides 

What sets our Trifecta apart is its inclusion of all of these essential active ingredients, notably Retinol.

By incorporating Retinol alongside other key elements, our products streamline your skincare regimen while ensuring maximum effectiveness.

Ultimately, achieving tangible results hinges on the consistent use of the right active skincare ingredients over time, and Retinol is one you definitely want in your daily routine.