For decades, retinol has been the go-to ingredient of dermatologists because it targets a wide range of issues.
Aside from fighting wrinkles, the product can also tackle imperfections like sun damage and brown spots.
The intenet is brimming with videos from skin care enthusiasts who have noticed these changes using retinol.
Caitlyn Kieran, 51, claimed in one clip that she noticed results within two weeks of adding the product to her routine.
The 51-year-old applies retinol to her skin at night
INSTAGRAM / CAITKIERNAN
“I’m 51 and my number one priority these days is good skin care,” she said. “For the last month, I have been using Kiehl’s retinol fast-release wrinkle-reducing night serum, and it has made a noticeable difference in my skin.
“The serum has 0.3 per cent retinol… and it works by penetrating really deep into the skin to help with cell renewal.
“So within the first week that I started using this I noticed that the fine lines around my eyes and some little creases that I have were almost gone.
“And by the second week, I noticed that my 11s and my marionette lines looked much smoother and just softer. It’s kind of shocking, to be honest with you.”
According to Holland and Barrett, retinol works primarily by speeding up the rate at which skin cells renew and repair.
Researchers have found it also does wonders for treating fine lines and wrinkles to pigmentation and blemishes.
“As for how it does this, retinol works within the cells to help boost collagen products and reduce cell ageing and pore congestion. It’s also capable of regulating oil production and stabilising pigments,” said the healthy body.
Although it is widely considered the ultimate anti-ageing ingredient, it’s not always easy knowing how to use it correctly.
Experts at the Cleveland Clinic explain it can take several weeks before results from retinol start to show.
Additionally, the condition of a person’s skin can often get worse before it gets better, so it’s important not to get discouraged.
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Catilyn noticed her marionette lines fade after two weeks
INSTAGRAM / CAITKIERNAN
Retinol products come in different strengths which may not all be suitable for beginners. For the purpose of skin care, tretinoin is often described as a more concentrated version of retinol.
The prescription product is significantly more potent than retinol and offers far more noticeable results in terms of its anti-ageing effects.
Common side effects of the product include warmth and stinging, as well as redness, itching and scaling.
Even when such adverse effects appear, it’s important to persevere with the product to get the most benefit from it.
