A dermatologist and licensed esthetician explain why it’s helpful at any age. When the kids are asking for Drunk Elephant and starting multi-step skincare routines before 18, it can feel like you’re behind the curve in preventing signs of aging. Most of us know that retinol is sort of the be-all and end-all of anti-aging skincare, having been proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fade scarring and dark spots, and clear blemishes.
But if you’re looking in the mirror at wrinkles that already seem to have set in, you may wonder... Is 40 too late to start retinol? Scary Mommy asked two skin experts who adamantly agreed: Any time is the right time to start.
Retinol works by boosting the skin’s production of collagen, says Dr. Tracy Evans, board-certified dermatologist and founder and medical director of Pacific Skin, which is especially important if you are trying to combat signs of aging. In fact, if you haven't started it, start it now.
It is always going to be very helpful to improve your skin condition; it's never too late to boost some collagen. So I would say if you haven't used it at 40, start now.” “I don't think it's ever too late to start a retinol,” agrees Melissa Fox, licensed esthetician and founder of Flawless by Melissa Fox. What should women in their 40s know before they add it to their routine?
You’ll want to take stock of all the products you currently use and make sure you’re not using too many active ingredients on your skin at once, Evans suggests. Because of that, their skin may be drier, and drier skin is in general more sensitive skin,” says Evans. People will be using vitamin C and a retinoid, and they're using salicylic acid or alpha-hydroxy acid, and then they're coming in to our clinic and they're super dried out or irritated or sensitized.” Here are Evans’ and Fox’s expert tips for slowly building up your skin’s tolerance to retinol: Both experts also said the best thing you can do for your skin is to wear sunscreen daily — in the winter, indoors, on cloudy days, always.
Not only does this help prevent skin cancer and reduce signs of aging, but your skin is more sensitive to the sun while using retinol. It will need that protection in order for you to see results. The one place Fox and Evans disagree is about what type of retinol you should reach for (and there are so many on the market now).
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