Ria BhatiaPublished on Feb 15, 20238 retinol products that introduce your skin to the ingredient sublimelyWith retinol piquing the interest of beauty enthusiasts across the globe, brands are formulating products with rookie-friendly concentrations of the ingredient.With retinol piquing the interest of beauty enthusiasts, brands are formulating serums and creams with rookie-friendly concentrations of the ingredientRetinol is sure to feature on the list of ingredients that have enjoyed astronomical growth in the last five years. The potent anti-ageing antidote has swiftly made its way to almost every beauty content creator’s social media feed as well as into serums, creams and face oils. The augmented demand for retinol products comes as a domino effect of increased consumer awareness, more mindfully formulated concoctions and consumers’ willingness to explore and experiment with ingredients. The market for anti-ageing beauty products, valued at $62.6 billion in 2021, is expected to reach $93.1 billion in 2027. The ingredient in itself is projected to value at $2.5 billion by 2032, at an annual growth rate of 5.4 per cent every year. The advantage? Beauty houses began creating retinol products of wide-ranging concentrations to make them accessible to users of all kinds.Is retinol for everyone?“There is no one-fits-all approach here,” says New Delhi-based dermatologist Dr Kiran Sethi. Although the ingredient can offer game-changing results, it is very potent and any skin type will take a while to get acclimatised to it. “Early stages of using retinol can cause irritation, with side-effects like redness, dryness and more sensitivity. The rule of thumb is to start with smaller percentages and then build up a tolerance,” says Sethi. It is important to note that retinol won’t prove advantageous for every skin type, albeit, acne-prone and ageing skin can leverage its preventative and corrective properties. According to Sethi, those suffering from excessively dry skin, rosacea or eczema should strictly keep away from retinol. “Bakuchiol, peptides and adapalene (for acne) are excellent natural alternatives for those looking for the same results as retinol, but with minimised irritation,” suggests the skin expert. “I do not recommend aggressive anti-ageing ingredients like retinol, which stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokines, cause hypersensitivity to sun and environmental factors, are not nursing or pregnancy safe, and commonly cause redness, dryness, burning, peeling, and dermatitis,” global skin expert Dr Barbara Strum told Harper’s Bazaar. Even for someone in their 30s and 40s, unless extreme fine lines and wrinkles are not a burning concern, settling for retinol isn’t the only option, although it delivers quick results. We list eight of our favourite rookie-friendly retinol-infused products that make incorporating the ingredient into your skincare routine facile and safe.Resurfacing Retinol Serum, CeraVeThis serum from CeraVe resurfaces the skin, heals marks and post-inflammatory pigmentation and smoothens the texture. It is enriched with ceramides and niacinamide, and thanks to CeraVe’s MVE (Multivesicular Emulsion) technology, the encapsulated ingredients reach the deepest layers of your skin to protect your barrier. It helps that this well-researched formula also contains licorice root extract and hyaluronic acid that boost the overall benefits.Priced at ₹ 1,990Shop hereAdvanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream, Dr. Dennis GrossYou may not think of retinol and Ferulic Acid as the most common combination but this cream bottles the two in a well-researched formulation that tackles early signs of ageing, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, texture and dryness through a buttery cream that is heavy on nourishment. To augment the moisturisation effect are ingredients such as squalane, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, primrose oil, bakuchiol and lactic acid. If you’re a lover of a minimal yet effective skincare routine, this is a worthy investment.Priced at ₹ 6,600Shop hereRetinol Cica Repair Ampoule, InnisfreeIncorporate retinol in your skincare routine in a failproof fashion with this serum-textured ampoule that barely lets your skin know that it came in contact with the ingredient, from an irritation point of view. Supercharged with Cica (Centella Asiatica), this serum’s double-action involves resurfacing as well as soothing and plumping the skin, making it appropriate for those as early as in their late 20s.Priced at ₹ 2,850Shop hereRetinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum, Kiehl’sThis serum allows you to reap the benefits of retinol on a daily basis for it’s packed with a micro-dose strength of the ingredient along with barrier-fortifying agents like ceramides and peptides. From the fine lines on your forehead to the wrinkles cropping up on the skin, this serum is equipped to reduce the appearance of all the common signs of ageing without aggravating dryness or discomfort.Prices start at ₹3,700Shop hereRetinol Youth Renewal Night Cream, MuradOne of the most-loved night creams, Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream marries niacinamide and retinol for a smoother, more even and youthful-looking complexion. The seriously thick texture ensures umpteen hydration to rid the skin of that parched feeling, and works for all skin types.Priced at ₹6,800Shop here0.3% Retinol and 2% Bakuchiol Treatment, Paula’s ChoiceIf you identify as someone who is perpetually confused between retinol and bakuchiol, this is the serum that can put an end to your fix. The serum works like a treatment for maturing skin as it bets on the benefits of accelerated collagen production and cell renewal to alleviate the signs of ageing. While retinol does play a key role in resurfacing the skin, peptides, bakuchiol, ceramides and hyaluronic acid work on hydrating and plumping the skin, giving a taut appearance, free of dry patches, enlarged pores and wrinkles.Priced at ₹5,000Shop hereRetinol Tonic, PIXISceptical about jumping on the retinol bandwagon? A gentle retinol-charged toner is a good place to start. Combined with the plumping peptides and jasmine flower, the toner seeps right into the skin, giving a softer, smoother and rejuvenated complexion minus any irritation, making it sensitive skin-friendly too. Priced at ₹1,400Shop hereRetinol 0.5% In Squalane, The OrdinaryWhen a mild concentration of retinol (0.5 per cent) sits in an anhydrous formulation enriched with nourishing squalane, you know you can’t go wrong. The oil-based serum targets common concerns like acne, fine lines, blemishes, texture and dryness, while providing a solution for the potential triggers that retinol can minutely cause, leaving you with smoother skin. Plus, the science-backed product is as reasonable as it can get.Priced at ₹700Shop hereAlso Read: 8 retinol-spiked skincare products that’ll brighten skin and target acneAlso Read: Why hasn’t bakuchiol become mainstream yet?Also Read: Is snail slime really the ultimate anti-ageing, anti-acne ingredient?Read Next Read the Next Article
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