When To Start Using Retinol: Is It Too Early Or Too Late? (How To Know)

Have you ever heard of retinol?

Do you often wonder if this skin care treatment is right for you?

Would you like to learn more about when to start using retinol?

If any of this sounds familiar, your certainly in the RIGHT PLACE. Read on below...

Retinol is a buzzword you’ve probably heard thrown around a lot lately, but what is it really? Simply put, retinol is a molecule that is reactive to sunlight and air. It is a component, or a derivative, of vitamin A, which is a vitamin that specifically targets skin health. There are natural retinol receptors in the skin, and they use retinol to encourage the growth of new, healthy collagen. Retinol can be found in serums and creams that are used to deposit this molecule into the skin, where it can do its job.

When should you start using retinol?

There’s some debate about when to begin using retinol. Many sources of beauty tips and information recommend getting started with it as early as 20 or so, while many others suggest waiting until the mid-30s to start using it. For the most part, however, it seems that people tend to agree that 30 is roughly a good time to begin using retinol. Everyone’s experience will be different, of course, and only your dermatologist or skin care specialist can let you know for sure if it’s time for you to begin a retinol regimen.

PROS of using retinol EARLIER than recommended

Using retinol earlier than recommended does have its positives, although if you do this, it should be under the supervision of a skin care specialist who can help you look out for problems that may arise from it. Bear in mind that you should not use retinol if you’re still younger than 20.

CONS of using retinol EARLIER than recommended

You could run into some problems from using retinol too early, however. There are many reasons why it isn’t widely recommended to start using retinol at an early age. Below, we’ve listed just a few of the potential hazards you could encounter from using retinol before you need it, but there may be other risks out there as well. Speak to your dermatologist for more information.

PROS of using retinol LATER than recommended

If you choose to wait a little while to begin retinol, you may have some positive outcomes too. It’s generally less worrisome to start using retinol later in life than it is to begin too early, and most dermatologists will tell you that it’s truly never too late to start working on your skin. Even if you feel like your skin is beyond help, that isn’t true, and retinol may be able to make a big difference for you.

CONS of using retinol LATER than recommended

Using retinol too late could have some negative results. For the most part, these are a little easier to deal with than the risks associated with using retinol too early, but they’re still worth keeping in mind if you’re trying to decide whether or not this type of treatment is right for you.

Conclusion

So what do you think? Is retinol right for you? If you’re still in your early 20s, you may be better off waiting until you are at least in your late 20s or early 30s to start using it. However, if you’re older, remember it’s always a good idea to give retinol a try if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your skin. And if you have any further questions, speak to a dermatologist or skin care professional to learn everything you need to know about what to expect from a retinol-based skin care treatment program.