You’ve no doubt heard about retinol. But it isn’t just a passing trend. This powerhouse ingredient is a staple, and for good reason. It’s a favorite of your dermatologist, too, because it’s one of the rare active ingredients with time, science and research to back it up.

To effectively work retinol into your routine, we have to start with the basics. Let’s talk about what it is and why it’s the ideal ingredient to prioritize when you’re looking for your next serum.

What’s the Science Behind Retinol?

In its simplest form, retinol is a retinoid. When you apply it, retinol penetrates deep into your skin, where it's converted into retinoic acid. 

Retinol is a gentle form of vitamin A found in over-the-counter skincare products, which needs skin conversion to become active. In contrast, retinoids are prescription-strength derivatives of vitamin A that directly bind to receptors in the skin, providing quicker results but may also cause more skin irritation.

Retinoic acid is the true skincare game-changer because it supports healthy skin cell turnover. Those new cells are the key to the youthful-looking complexion that everyone craves, keeping the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles at bay.

By bumping up the natural removal of dead skin cells and supporting the growth of new ones, it helps to clear clogged pores, a common culprit behind imperfections. This cell renewal process also helps your skin take in other skincare products, making retinol a perfect complement to your skincare routine. 

What Are All the Benefits a Retinol Serum Offers?

Aside from the cell turnover we already covered, retinol’s benefits go way past the surface, working to rejuvenate and repair the skin from the inside out. Retinoids are celebrated for their role in supporting collagen—the vital protein that keeps the skin looking firm and youthful. As we age, our natural collagen slows down quite a bit, leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Retinoids are a go-to ingredient if you want to keep your skin looking plump and youthful. As if that wasn’t enough, retinoids also help to balance out oil production in the skin. For those grappling with oily skin, retinoids can regulate sebum production. 

The benefits of retinoids extend far beyond superficial improvements. But there are many different products and formulations to choose from when it comes to getting retinoids into your routine—so where should you start?

What’s the Best Retinol Serum?

We’ve already talked about what retinol serum does for you—but how do you choose the best retinol serum for your individual skin and needs? Integrating retinol into your skincare routine can be a game-changer, but it's important to approach it carefully. 

You’ve probably read cautionary tales about the side effects of retinol or suggestions to very gradually introduce it into your skincare routine. But we have good news.

With our Resurfacing Compound, you can skip all the hassle and get straight to seeing results (in as little as three days. Seriously). That’s because our retinol serum utilizes a stable form of retinol that’s gentler on your skin. It’s so gentle, in fact, that while most retinoids require evening use due to photosensitivity, our Resurfacing Compound is designed for use in both your morning and evening routine. 

This all-in-one serum is not just a simple retinol product. It also includes stabilized vitamin E, antioxidants, and multi-hydroxy acids. Each ingredient plays its part—antioxidants support your skin’s natural defense against environmental stressors, while multi-hydroxy acids gently exfoliate, paving the way for the retinol to work its magic on fine lines and uneven skin. 

Our unique double-patent pending SIREN Capsule Technology elevates the Resurfacing Compound beyond a typical retinol product. All of our products are created with our proprietary SIREN Tech, a capsule delivery system that ensures powerful ingredients are delivered precisely where they are most needed, bypassing areas of the skin that are already healthy. 

This targeted approach minimizes the chances of irritation, a common concern with retinol products, making our Resurfacing Compound a suitable choice even for those with sensitive skin. 

Do You Need To Protect Your Skin With the Resurfacing Compound?

We’ve mentioned that our Resurfacing Compound doesn’t lead to photosensitivity…so do you still need to protect your skin from the sun? We’ll confess that this is a trick question. 

It isn’t a particular product that makes it important for you to apply a daily SPF—it’s a simple fact of life. We mean it when we say that you should be protecting your skin from the sun daily, rain or shine, to avoid skin damage like dark spots or premature signs of aging.

Applying a broad-spectrum SPF, like our Multimodal Defender Broad Spectrum SPF 30, every morning is a huge step in protecting your skin. Our Multimodal Defender isn’t just your average sunscreen, either. Infused with vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, it does more than shield your skin from UVA and UVB rays. 

It works to improve the visible signs of photodamage, such as discoloration. This synergy between retinol and SPF is key to maintaining the health of your skin. 

Sunscreen protects your skin from future sun damage and supports the effects of retinol. All of this makes sure the effort you’re putting into your skincare routine pays off.

Retinol and Moisturizing

While our stable retinol formulation is gentle so as not to cause dryness and irritation, it’s still important to keep your skin moisturized—this is how you get the most out of your retinol serum. The skin around your eyes is particularly delicate, so using a retinol serum is a great excuse to add a dedicated eye cream to your skincare routine. 

The skin around your eyes is important and deserves a gentle touch. This is where The RETURN Eye Concentrate comes into play. 

Diamond powder in the formulation works to brighten and add luminosity, making you look refreshed no matter how much sleep you got the night before. Meanwhile, the short-chain hyaluronic acid provides intense hydration, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines. 

After 30 days of consistent daily use, you’ll see transformative results: your skin's natural collagen is optimized, fine lines are visibly smoothed, and texture appears more even. 

The skin around the eyes is thinner and more prone to dryness and irritation, making it particularly susceptible to the effects of retinol. Applying the RETURN Eye Concentrate as part of your daily skincare routine, especially when using retinol products, ensures this sensitive area doesn’t experience any extra dryness. 

Retinol Recap

Retinol serum is a game-changer in your anti-aging arsenal. It's great at supporting cell turnover and boosting collagen production, which is key for keeping your skin looking young and fresh.

By using it regularly, you can start to see those fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone looking less noticeable. And if you've been hesitant to try out retinol in the past, our Resurfacing Compound offers all the benefits with minimal risks of the side effects of standard retinol products. 

Adding retinol to your skincare regimen isn't just a trend—it's a smart move backed by science, offering a natural glow that looks even better with continued use. 

Sources:

Retinoids In The Treatment Of Skin Aging: An Overview Of Clinical Efficacy And Safety | National Library of Medicine

Retinol | Cleveland Clinic

Retinoids In The Treatment Of Skin Aging: An Overview Of Clinical Efficacy And Safety | National Library Of Medicine

Topical Retinoids For Pigmented Skin | National Library of Medicine