Improved radiance (overnight!) visibly improved dark spots/hyperpigmentation, minimized pore size, and a decrease in fine line and wrinkles over time FOR ALL.
Have questions about retinal? You’re not alone. There are ingredients this powerful ingredient plays well with and others that require a bit more caution, but one thing’s for sure, and that’s that it’s an ingredient for all.
“All skin tones and skin types would benefit from retinal,” says Laura Cline, Youth To The People’s Senior Director of Product Development and Education. So to everyone wondering if retinal is safe for all skin tones, you can breathe—and receive all of the benefits (reducing fine lines and wrinkles! Improving uneven skin tone!) without fear.
“Retinal is not some kind of bleaching product, so you don’t have to worry about having any kind of adverse [discoloration] effect,” says Cline. “Retinal is a support system for the skin.”
The 0.15% retinaldehyde found on the Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum is the most potent dose of a retinoid available without a prescription, and the formula delivers a host of benefits including improved radiance (overnight!) visibly improved dark spots/hyperpigmentation, minimized pore size, and a decrease in fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Back to skin tone concerns: Due to retinal’s potency, some people may be hesitant to try retinal because they feel it may cause or worsen their hyperpigmentation (which occurs in all skin tones but is prevalent in darker skin tones). Cline says not to worry. If you have an uneven skin complexion or have dark spots, using retinal can actually help reduce the appearance of those due to its brightening properties. If you’ve never used retinal before, or if you have heard rumors about retinol-related irritation and flaking, know that the type of retinoid as well as the formula can make all the difference.
Youth To The People’s Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum is formulated with retinal, which is closer to the form your skin needs it to be in order to do its job, which means it’s potent. It’s also formulated with supportive ingredients like 5% niacinamide, ceramides, and an adaptogenic mushroom complex, to help mitigate potential irritation.
Retinal does increase sun sensitivity—this is a vegan retinal serum meant for PM use only—so it’s super important to wear sunscreen during the day when using this product (and every day).
“Because of what it does, you should definitely wear SPF during the day,” Cline says. “It will definitely even out visible sun exposure types like hyperpigmentation. If you’re using retinal and then going out into the world or you sit by the window all day and you don’t put on some sunscreen, it might make your skin worse.” In addition, sun exposure without wearing sunscreen can affect retinal’s overall efficiency because the harsh UVA/UVB rays can break down the product.
Cline personally uses SPF 30 to protect her skin throughout the day. She recommends wearing sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 for optimal skin protection from sun exposure and hypersensitivity to the sun, especially when you’ve applied retinal the night before. No matter the skin type or tone or what products you use in your skincare routine, wearing sunscreen (and reapplying throughout the day) is essential.
Get the Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum here.
Written by Jasely Molina for Youth To The People
