Retinol Myths & Myth-Busters

Retinol is known as an antidote for lines and wrinkles, but that’s not all this powerful ingredient can do! Many myths underplay the multiple skincare benefits of retinol. Let’s do some myth-busting.

Myth #1: “Retinol ONLY works on wrinkles.”

Not true. Retinol is a powerful anti-aging weapon in a serious anti-aging arsenal.

Here’s a list of just some of benefits of retinol.

• Improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles
• Speeds up cell turnover
• Stimulates collagen production
• Increases firmness
• Improves the appearance of UV-damaged skin
• Helps accelerates skin recovery and renewal
• Smooths skin roughness
• Targets excess oil and blemish-prone skin

Myth #2: “All retinoids are the same.”

Not true.  Prescription retinoids that include retinoic acid, tretinoin, Retin-A, and Accutane, for example, may provide slightly faster results, but they have the highest risk of causing hardcore irritation to the skin. You'll get the same benefits in wrinkle reducing, cell turnover, and collagen production with over-the-counter retinoids, like retinol, retinyl palmitate, and vitamin A, for example. The skin converts these non-prescription forms of retinol into retinoic acid at the cellular level. That's why there's less surface irritation to the skin, and also why it takes a little longer to see results.

Myth #3: “Retinol increases the chance of sunburn.”

Not true. Studies repeatedly show that retinoids do not increase the chance of sunburn at all. Why? Retinoids break down when exposed to sunlight. If a sunburn happens, it's because sunscreen wasn't applied. So, remember this tip: Apply your retinol product at night, and be sure to use sunscreen during the day... which you should be doing anyway, right?

Myth #4: “Retinol takes 3-4 weeks before making a visible difference in the skin.”

Not true. Sorry to break the news, but retinol might take even LONGER for visible benefits.  Three to four weeks to create a visible difference in the skin sounds like a long time, but actually, with retinol, 3-4 weeks would be pretty nice. Retinol is hugely effective but won't work overnight, or even in a couple of weeks. Retinol takes its own sweet time to work. Use it consistently for several weeks, or even months to see definitive results. Since you won't see results immediately, that's why it's soooo important to have a consistent skincare regimen. But don't get discouraged... think of how working out at the gym takes time and repetition before you see results. Some good things just take time.

Myth #5: “It's normal for retinol to irritate skin.”

Not necessarily. There's a POSSIBILITY of light irritation and slight peeling. These little flare-ups could just be part of the process as skin adjusts naturally to retinol. You might want to start using retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times a week for three weeks, and then more frequently if you're having zero irritation. Usually, after an adjustment period of two to three weeks, skin tolerates retinol better, and irritation slows down and stops. So, hang in there... your skin will thank you later. However, if there's a lot of peeling, you might be applying it too frequently, so here's a tip: if you're just starting with retinol, remember to just apply it once a week until your skin adjusts.

Now that some of those myths have been debunked, some questions arise.

• Dead skin cells and other debris. Skin needs to be exfoliated. If the surface of the skin is covered with dead skin cells, makeup remnants, and other debris, active ingredients like retinol can't be effectively absorbed.
• Lack of an effective delivery system. Retinol needs to absorb deep into the skin and reach the areas that need it most. Luckily, Le Mieux Retinol Serum features a 3-tier delivery system. This targeted, micro-encapsulated system allows the retinol and other active ingredients to fully absorb into the skin, without triggering irritation.
• Exposure to air and light. Since retinol can break down with exposure to air and light, be sure to only buy retinol products that are packaged in airless, opaque That's the reason Le Mieux Retinol Serum comes in an opaque silver bottle, with an airless pump.

  2) Should retinol be used on dry skin types?

• Even dry skin types may need an extra boost with retinol, like sun-damaged skin, or stressed, aging skin, according to Janel Luu, Le Mieux CEO and formulator. For sun-damaged or aging skin, derivatives of vitamin A including retinol, retinyl palmitate, and tretinoin smooth out wrinkles, but can also cause irritation and dryness as a side effect. The solution? Apply moisture-boosters and serums containing lipids, growth factors, stem cells, peptides, and antioxidants along with your retinol.

 3) What ingredients work well with retinol?

• Le Mieux Retinol Serum pairs its retinol with moisture-boosters, lipids, stem cells, peptides, and antioxidants. If there ever was a perfect retinol serum, this is it. Double-encapsulated, timed-release technology gets those active ingredients into the skin where they are most needed. The formula contains 0.5% retinol to target lines and wrinkles, along with 4 peptides and apple stem cells. Retinol Serum is also high in antioxidants, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a very potent form of green tea extract. Plus, you won't have to worry about skin irritation, due to a 3-tier delivery system that sends the ingredients to targeted locations to resurface, smooth, and tighten skin while minimizing lines and wrinkles and restoring firmness and suppleness.
• Let's take a quick look at the peptides that work well with retinol in Retinol Serum. Acetyl octapeptide-3 (SNAP-8) is proven to help prevent wrinkle formation, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 (Matrixyl) helps smooth away lines and wrinkles, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Matrixyl 3000) targets wrinkles, helps reduce sagging, and promotes hyaluronic acid and collagen production to improve firmness and elasticity.
• Retinol Serum also contains teprenone, nicknamed The Youth Molecule. Teprenone protects the regions on the ends of chromosomes, which helps slow down the signs of aging. Pairing teprenone with retinol, stem cells, and peptides makes Retinol Serum a powerful anti-aging skincare squad, almost like an elixir of youth for your skin. 
• Avocados aren't just for salads! Retinol Serum contains avocado protein to help plump dehydrated skin.
• Shea butter seals in moisture to protect against external damage and dehydration, and helps give this serum a satiny, creamy feel.
• Wheat protein in this serum not only soothes skin, but also helps with discoloration.
• Finally, retinol plays well with many moisture-multiplying ingredients. Like so many Le Mieux serums, the base of Retinol Serum is hyaluronic acid. This serum also contains ceramides to help prevent water loss.

So, here's a recap showing why retinol should be a staple on your skin care shelf—and in particular, Le Mieux Retinol Serum. This creamy, skin-refining serum features double-encapsulated, timed-release technology, plus 0.5% retinol, 4 peptides, stem cells, EGCG, and the Youth Molecule teprenone. The 3-tier delivery system lowers the potential for skin irritation as active ingredients work to resurface and tighten skin, minimize the look of lines and wrinkles, and help restore firmness and suppleness. Retinol Serum is recommended for dry, normal, and combination skin types, and is best known for treating skin with deep lines and wrinkles.

And remember... Retinol Serum should be used on the face and neck at night only. Also very important... don't forget to use sun protection when using this serum (in fact, you should ALWAYS be using sun protection during the day, whether it's sunny or overcast). Lastly, here's a quick tip—mix Retinol Serum with Collagen Peptide Serum to maximize skin firmness.