Retinol Who?
Retinol shouldn’t be a scary thing but it is something that can take a little time to get our heads around. Especially if we don’t understand what it does, how to use it or how it can help our specific skin type.
What can retinol target?
Here are some skin types and conditions retinol can help with when formulated correctly within products and treatments.
- Hyper-Pigmentation
- Pigmented Skin
- Acne/Blemish Prone Skin
- Ageing Skin
- Fine Lines
- Wrinkles
- Large Pores
- Oil Production
- Uneven Skin Texture
- Dryness
- Scarring
Whether we want to target ageing, discolouration, Acne/breakouts or dullness retinol is able to target all of the above by increasing cellular turnover, stimulating collagen and elastin production. It inhibits melanogenesis and increases skin hydration without irritation.
Ageing Skin
As we age the epidermis layer of our skin starts to thin, discolourations start to appear due to trauma and environmental damage such as sun and wind burns. The Elastin fibres weaken and collagen production slows, this causes sagging, fine lines and wrinkles within the skin.
Sun exposure causes 85% of ageing and UV rays to deplete Vitamin A production, by using retinol we are able to target and increase collagen and elastin production, increase cellular turnover and cellular regeneration. This smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and improve the thickness of our skin, creating a younger and youthful complexion.
Recommended PCA Skin Retinol Product;
Intensive Age Refining Treatment: 0.5% Pure Retinol Night.
- This retinol formulae including niacinamide, reptopeptides, stem cell extract and vital hydrators visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Increases elasticity while also creating a strong barrier support and antioxidant protection.
Retinol (vitamin A) – vitamin A helps promote a clear complexion and an even skin tone.
Niacinamide – a potent antioxidant that improves barrier function, and reduces age-related skin yellowing and redness.
Myristoyl nonapeptide-3 – a peptide that supports skin strengthening.
Orange stem cell extract – improves skin elasticity and firmness to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
£101
Acne/Breakout Prone Skin
By increasing cellular turnover with the use of retinol, we are improving the quality of our cellular barrier. By doing this we are able to reduce trans-epidermal water loss within our skin, keeping our skin hydrated. When our skin becomes dehydrated we overproduce oil and Sebum, Retinol controls the production of sebum, minimising and preventing breakouts and superficial inflammation caused by clogged pores.
Retinol also promotes an even skin tone and reduces pigmentation caused by acne scarring by controlling dermal inflammation.
Recommended PCA Skin Retinol Product;
Intensive clarity Treatment 0.5% Pure Retinol Night.
- This retinol and niacinamide formula with an active ingredient of 2% Salicylic acid helps to reduce sebum production and prevents acne breakouts. This formula also controls oil production and inflammation while promoting an even skin tone and reducing pigmentation cause by acne scaring.
Retinol (vitamin A) – Vitamin A helps promote a clear complexion and an even skin tone.
Salicylic Acid (2%) – Clears existing acne blemishes and prevents future breakouts.
Lilac leaf cell culture extract – a potent antioxidant
Bakuchiol – an effective complement to retinol for fighting breakouts.
Active Ingredient:
Salicylic Acid (2%)
£101
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is a heightened tolerance to topical products or external factors.
Types of sensitive skin may include;
- Rosacea
- Impaired barrier function
- Atopic dermatitis
- Psoriasis
When our barrier function is impaired by external factors our skin is more likely to have constant moisture loss. This Moisture loss causes dry and flakey skin and can further cause visible redness and blood vessels. Low percentage retinol can be used to help the skin maintain moisture levels by increasing cellular turnover and stimulating collagen. This improves the skins over texture and volume.
Recommended PCA Skin Retinol Product;
Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin Night.
- Using the Omnisome delivery system, this gentle retinol, niacinamide and inflacin is the perfect formula for sensitive skin, reducing the signs of ageing and promoting an even skin tone.
Vitamin A – helps to promote a clear complexion and an even skin tone.
Niacinamide – a calming antioxidant that maintains skin hydration and reduces age-related skin yellowing and redness
Hexylresorcinol – helps promote an even skin tone and calm the skin
InflaShield™ – a patented ingredient that reduces irritation from topical ingredients
£98
Discolouration
Hyper-pigmentation is the deposition of Melanin (pigment) due to the stimulation of Melanogenesis. Melanogenesis is the process by which pigmentation is produced. Retinol inhibits Melanogenesis and decreases inflammation, stopping pigmentation from spreading across the skin cells, staining them and becoming visual.
There are several types of Pigmentation;
- UV induced Hyper-pigmentation / The over exposure to sunlight and UV rays.
- Hormonally induced Hyper-pigmentation PIH / The fluctuation of hormones.
- Post Inflammatory Hyper-pigmentation PIH / Trauma induced pigmentation caused by irritation, inflammation and abrasion to the epidermis.
- Post-Inflammatory Erythema PIE / Broken capillaries, scaring caused acne, burns, cuts and scratches.
Recommended PCA Skin Retinol Product;
Intensive Brightening Treatment 0.5% Pure Retinol Night.
- This advanced retinol, niacinamide and hexlresorcinol formulation delivers key ingredients deep into the skin. Creating radiance from deep within, promoting an even skin tone. This formula smooths the skins surface, minimising redness and pigmentation.
Retinol (vitamin A) – vitamin A helps promote a clear complexion and an even skin tone.
Niacinamide – a potent, calming antioxidant reduces water loss, reduces excess oil production and improves uneven skin tone.
Resveratrol – a strong antioxidant that encourages a bright, even skin tone.
Hexylresorcinol -promotes an even skin tone and reduces inflammation that can lead to discolouration.
£101
How to apply retinol?
Retinol Beginners;
Apply a pea-sized amount to your cheeks and forehead, avoiding the nose chin (avoiding eyes and lips) twice a week, gradually increasing application to every other night, and then eventually, depending on tolerance to every night.
Advanced Retinol Users;
Apply a pea-sized amount to your whole face (avoiding eyes and lips) three times a week, gradually increasing application to every other night, and then eventually, depending on tolerance to every night.
Where does retinol fit in my skincare routine?
Retinol is a correcting stage of a skincare routine, this is applied after toning and before moisturising, if you don’t tone within your routine then apply after cleansing.
Retinol should only ever be applied at night and should be followed with an SPF the following mornings the using any retinol product.
Our Skincare Routine
Cleanse
Removing make-up, oil, dirt and other impurities to ensure your next skincare steps absorb into the skin.
Morning and Night
Tone
Offers additional nutrients and exfoliation to the skin.
Morning and Night
Correct
Specific products such as serums and retinol address individuals concerns.
Morning and Night – Retinol to be used only at night.
Hydrate
Adding moisture deep within the skin.
Morning and Night
Protect
Broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF to protect skin against UV rays.
Morning
Perfect
Keep your skincare routine simple and effective. Once you find a routine that works best for your skin stick to it and change according to your skins personal needs.
Do we use Retinol in our treatments?
YES!
Retinol can be found within our Chemical Peel Treatments.
- Deep Pore Peel
- Pore Minimizing Peel
- Gentle Retinol Peel
- Enzyme Retinol Peel
- Advanced Enzyme Retinol Peel
- Perfecting Peel
Medi-Facials
Medifacials refer to the use of medical-grade skincare. In these facials, we prescribe the most beneficial treatments for your skin type and concerns.
PCA Chemical Peels
PCA chemical peels are expertly formulated and are a driving force in helping you achieve your skincare goals.
What are Chemical Peels
Chemical Peels are a treatment that uses Retinoids along with AHA’s (Glycolic acid, Mandelic Acids, Citric acids and Lactic acids), BHA’s (Salicylic Acid) and Proteolytic Enzymes.
These carefully selected blends of ingredients work to break down buildup and shed our underperforming skin cells. While also nourishing, strengthening and protecting the skin. Targeting Ageing, discolouration, sensitive and acne/breakout-prone skin. Creating an even skin tone, mattifying textures, clearing and detoxifying while leaving the skin glowing and hydrated.
The perfect treatment alongside Medi-Facials to have that ultimate healthy skin glow.