What Age Should I Use Retinol For Anti-Ageing? 

Retinol is a popular part of many skincare routines due to its anti-ageing properties and ability to tackle issues such as acne and hyperpigmentation.

Retinol is renowned for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and many people only start to use it when the skin shows signs of ageing. There is nothing wrong with this, as retinol can still be effective at any age, but you might be surprised to learn what age skincare experts advise on starting.

If you came here asking, what age should I use retinol for anti-ageing and youthful skin, all the answers are right here. 

What Age Should I Use Retinol?

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends to start using retinol in your 20s, and board-certified dermatologist Dr Rajani Katta says, “The skincare choices you make now will affect what your skin looks like in your next decade and beyond.”

Many of us only start to think about using retinol when we hit our early 30s or at the first signs of ageing, but dermatologist Dr Ellen Mamur says “Your mid-twenties are a great time to start using retinol,”, 

After twenty, we produce 1% less collagen each year, and the turnover of skin cells also starts to slow down, so using retinol improves cell turnover and enhances collagen production to reveal younger-looking skin. The earlier you can start using retinol, the better your future skin will thank you. 

Don’t panic if you haven’t started using retinol, as this skincare favourite comes in different formulas and concentrations that still benefit your skin in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. 

Let’s dive into how to start using retinol at any age and answer frequently asked questions on this superstar ingredient.

What Is Retinol?

Retinol is a type of retinoid and a derivative of vitamin A that does not require a prescription. Retinoids are a stronger form of vitamin A product than retinol and are used to treat various skin conditions such as acne and pigmentation.

Retinol is a gentler option to retinoid that still has powerful anti-ageing properties and helps treat a range of skin issues. Retinol is applied on top of the skin and is available in the different forms below to suit each skin type:

Retinol also comes in different concentrations, and the experts recommend starting your vitamin A journey slowly at a lower concentration. This allows your skin to adjust and avoid any reactions or skin irritation. However, in the beginning, you can experience irritation and redness, and it is quite normal for the skin to “get worse before it gets better.”

Retinoids Vs Retinol

Retinoid is the umbrella term for vitamin A derivatives available in different forms and strengths. Retinol is a form of retinoid which is gentler and available to buy over the counter and is a popular ingredient to achieve youthful skin by keeping ageing at bay.

There are four main categories that retinoids fall into, including retinyl esters, retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinoic acid. The latter is a powerful ingredient that requires a prescription, as prescription retinoids treat more serious skin concerns such as cystic acne.

The Benefits of Retinol For The Skin

How to Get Started With Retinol? An Age-By-Age Guide

​How To Use Retinol In Your 20’s

Getting a head start with retinol early on is a preventative step that will benefit your skin long term. Anti-ageing is typically not a concern during your 20s, but using retinol encourages collagen production, boosting skin elasticity and minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol also helps treat mild-moderate acne, fade scars and brightens the complexion. 

When you start with retinol, it is important to start slowly, as irritation and redness can happen until your skin gets used to it. Choose retinol with a low concentration, and dermatologist Dr Schlessinger recommends one at 0.1% or 0.25% if you have sensitive skin. 

Retinol is a topical treatment applied to the skin, but you need to build up tolerance to a new product; start by using retinol only two evenings a week, build up to three, then every other night, to every night if your skin can tolerate it. 

To apply retinol to your skin, use a pea-sized amount for the entire face in the evening Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen the following morning to protect from UV rays, as retinol makes your skin sensitive to the sun.

**Do a patch test before using a new product; here is a guide on how to do this.**

How To Use Retinol In Your 30’s

Retinol is an essential ingredient for your skincare regimen in your 30s as your skin starts changing. During this decade, hormone levels start reducing, and the speed of collagen and elastin production decreases. Consistent use of retinol helps tackle this and other skin issues. 

As mentioned, cell turnover slowly starts to slow down in your 20s, and by your 30s, the average skin cell turnover takes 29-35 days. This can result in dead cells accumulating on the skin’s surface, leading to dull skin. Retinol increases cell turnover, decreases the size of pores and improves skin texture. 

If you are still new to your retinol journey, start with a low concentration and gradually build up. Dermatologist Dr.Benjamin Barankin says, “The higher the concentration you can ultimately tolerate, the better the results you’ll have. For your 20s and 30s, it’s important to work your way up with a retinol as the plan is to use them for life.”

How To Use Retinol In Your 40’s

By this point, you should be a seasoned pro with retinol, as this era is when changes in the skin are more noticeable. 

In your 40s, hyperpigmentation can be an issue, and you might notice new freckles and dark spots on your skin. Using retinol helps treat this issue by increasing cell turnover, which starts removing pigmented cells. Retinol also helps improve the under-eye area and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

Dermatologist Dr Harshna Bijlani recommends a retinol with a higher concentration of 0.5% to tackle ageing and conserve firmness. She also suggests incorporating “an antioxidant-rich serum, like vitamin C, to boost its anti-ageing.”

How To Use Retinol In Your 50’s And Beyond

By age 50 and above, you will have gone through menopause, which causes changes to the skin, such as dryness, sagging and thinness. Collagen production significantly drops, which increases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and rosacea can occur in this age group. 

Retinol targets all these issues, but it is also beneficial to keep the skin hydrated with products containing ceramides and hyaluronic acid, take a collagen supplement, and apply sunscreen to keep the skin looking its best.

Some people may experience side effects, and if you have a severe reaction to retinol, stop using it and contact your doctor.

**Retinol use is not recommended for pregnant women as studies have shown exposure to vitamin A can cause issues to a growing foetus.”**

Retinol does not pair well with all skincare products, so check beforehand. Ingredients to avoid mixing with retinol include exfoliating AHAs and Benzoyl Peroxide; instead, use them in your morning routine.

Ingredients you can safely mix with retinol include niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, peptides and ceramides, and read here how azelaic acid, and retinol make a great power couple for your skin.

Retinol is a fantastic multi-tasking product that should be everyone’s skincare routine due to all its amazing benefits. Starting retinol in your 20s is recommended for its preventative properties, but starting later will still see results. Before you panic that you have missed the boat, don’t worry. It is never too late to begin using retinol and skin of all ages will still benefit. 

Disclaimer: All the content published on www.thestylecadet.com is solely for information purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consider seeking the advice of your doctor, qualified healthcare provider or dermatologist. The information, suggestions, or remedies mentioned in this article are provided without warranty of any kind, whether expressed or implied.