Is retinol safe for older skin? (2023)

Should a 70 year old use retinol?

Don't start Retin-A.

Since mature skin is naturally dry anyway, most women over 70 who have never used it before will need to avoid the Retin A.

Because retinoids help your skin make more collagen, they soften wrinkles and fine lines. They also stimulate new blood vessels, which can give your skin a rosy color. Retinoids also help fade age spots and smooth rough patches. Tretinoin (Retin-A) is a popular prescription choice for aging skin.

There are no set rules on how old you should be to use retinol. For anti-aging purposes, you can start preventatively in your 20s. While over-the-counter retinol can help mild acne, many people with breakouts will need a prescription.

If you suffer from rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, it's probably best to avoid retinol since it can be too powerful on skin that needs a gentle touch – it can increase inflammation, dryness and sensitivity in already delicate complexions.

Here's what you can do: Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap, cleanser, or body wash. Doing so will help soothe rather than dry your skin. Moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin.

The good news is that it is never too late to start incorporating retinol into your skin care routine. People in the 60s and beyond have begun using retinol and still experienced results.

Best Retinol For Mature Skin: L'Oréal Paris Pure Retinol Revitalift Laser Night Serum. For those in need of some extra TLC, L'Oréal's powerhouse serum is formulated with a high concentration of pure retinol.

Treatment Options for Aging Skin

For early signs of aging, treatments that use retinoids, vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids may be enough. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling,ultrasound energy devices, or laser resurfacing may be an option for moderate to severe facial sun damage.

First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.

Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is an ingredient added to skin creams, lotions and serums. It has anti-aging effects and can help clear acne. Products containing retinol are widely available over-the-counter, and stronger concentrations of retinoids are available by prescription.

What happens when you stop using retinol?

If you stop retinol and do not begin a prescription retinoid, the benefit of preventing acne will go away. The skin cycle of cells being “born” at the base of the skin and moving to the top, dying and desquamating into the surrounding environment takes about 4-6 weeks.

Side effects of using retinol may include:

Itching. Dry skin. Flaking and peeling of the skin. Increased sensitivity to the sun.

What are the negative effects of retinol? Incorrect retinol usage can cause drying, flaking, shedding, redness, and irritation of the skin as well as exacerbated acne. Retinol will also increase skin sensitivity to UV rays.

Skinbetter's AlphaRet Overnight Cream is by far the most recommended wrinkle cream, with the stamp of approval from Hartman, Greenfield, Shirazi, and Marino. In short, experts love it because it works well while being gentle on skin.

Retinol Strength Vs Collagen Strength

There is no doubt about it that retinol is significantly stronger than collagen. This is because retinol penetrates down deep into your skin, tricking your body into thinking it's younger than it is.

Now, thanks to an Instagram Story by Aniston (per US Weekly), and her makeup artist Angela Levin, we finally know the secret behind her perfectly dewy complexion on screen: Tatcha's The Serum Stick.

In addition to sleeping on Blissy silk pillowcases, taking good care of your health can help you look and feel younger as you age. This involves eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and making sure to get enough sleep.

Is retinol good for 65 year old woman?

Retinol Is A Must

While retinol (or vitamin A) usage is encouraged by experts from your 30s onwards, if you want skin to appear more youthful, it's an absolute must in your 60s.

Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side ...

Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.

So, should I use vitamin C or retinol for wrinkles? Well, when it comes right down to it, the choice is really in what you're looking to do for your skin. While vitamin C is incredible for the skin because of its ability to help brighten and improve hyperpigmentation, the best active ingredient for wrinkles is retinol.

Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.

Those with stubborn skin concerns, like deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone may want to consider a high percentage retinol cream, serum or treatment. But what percentage of retinol is effective? Look for formulations with a percentage between 0.3% and 1%, with retinol 1% being the strongest option.

Care For Your Face

Apply retinol (Vitamin A) moisturizer, such as Wrinkle Recovery Serum. Use a high-quality Neck Restoring Cream for skin tightening. Be vigilant about using natural sunscreen, and avoid being outside during the time of day when the sun is most direct.

Should you use retinol under your eyes? Yes, definitely. While it is true that retinol – a form of vitamin A – is a powerful ingredient and the skin under your eyes is delicate, there's no reason why you should miss out on the amazing benefits of retinol.

Can retinol make your under eyes worse?

Yes, long-term, and overzealous application of a retinol product around the eye area can make dark circles look worse. This is a result of the side effects that occur when applying retinol to the skin, which are often red, flaky rings around the eye area that once become healed will appear dark.

Skin purging happens when new ingredients, like retinol, promote increased cell turnover, which causes clogging and worsening breakouts. This is particularly the case as oil and debris that is trapped deeper underneath the skin comes to the surface.

Topical retinol is generally safe for long-term use without any detrimental health risks.

If you're wondering if you're clear to use your retinol as a long-term anti-aging strategy without negative side effects (like compromising the strength of your skin), all derms agree the answer is yes — in fact, you'll need to use it continuously if you want to keep benefiting from the effects, says Dr. Colbert.

Engelman agrees: "Retinol is the most potent ingredient that helps build collagen and elastin, which leads to tighter, smoother skin." This mixture has the added bonus of hyaluronic acid, which "can smooth, firm, and tighten the appearance of the skin," Dr. Bowe says.

Retinol is a powerful tool against aging skin and acne, but it's not for everyone. If you're prone to allergies or have sensitive skin, you might want to try skincare products with alternative anti-aging or skin-clearing ingredients.

Hyaluronic acid is best if they're looking to moisturize dry skin, while retinol works better by encouraging better skin by boosting collagen production. They have several benefits that can work in tandem for better results, though patients need to be careful with the exact formulations they use.

First-time retinol users have reported irritation, including redness, dryness, and peeling. If you use too high a strength or apply retinol more frequently than you should, you may experience further irritation, like itchiness and scaly patches.