Retinol as a skincare ingredient has been on our radars for a little while now. Dermatologists can’t get enough of it and if you’ve been in the world of esmi for a while, you’ll know that neither can we. Just when you thought you were all over retinol and what it does, a newcomer has entered the game and we have to say, we’re obsessed! Introducing: encapsulated retinol.
What is Retinol?
Let’s take a step back shall we? Retinol is a form of vitamin A and has a list of talents longer than Beyonce’s (okay, almost). It speeds up cell turnover to give you a brighter, more youthful complexion. It helps to boost collagen production, meaning fewer fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Because it boosts cell turnover, it has the added bonus of lightly exfoliating the skin which means it is a miracle worker for anyone with acne, as it decongests the pores and controls oil flow.
Before you run towards it at full speed, there are a couple of drawbacks to your stock-standard retinol. If your skin isn’t used to it, retinol can be quite intense. When you start, you may notice some redness, sensitivity, dryness or even peeling.
If that redness or slight sensitivity is too much to handle or doesn’t go away after about a month, you’ll want to reduce the strength of the product, or use a gentler version. It just so happens we know the perfect one…
What is Encapsulated Retinol? What Are Its Benefits?
Our Encapsulated Retinol Range has the brilliant benefits of regular retinol, with a difference in how it is delivered.
Think of it like retinol surrounded by a protective blanket of lipids that keeps all of those active components safe until they reach their destination. Clever, right? Pure retinol starts working as soon as it hits the skin, which sounds all very well and good, but that can cause surface irritation, which exactly no one wants. Being encapsulated means the retinol can seep into the deep layers of the skin before being released and absorbed.
In a nutshell, you’ll get all of the best bits of retinol, without the drawbacks. In fact, because it can penetrate deeper into the skin, experts say encapsulated retinol can be more effective.
Excited yet? We thought so!
How to Use Encapsulated Retinol
Even though encapsulated retinol is always going to be gentler than the retinols you’re used to, you’re still going to want to start very slow and steady. Whether you’re new to retinol or our encapsulated retinol, always start with Level 1, which has a strength of 0.25%. Use a pea sized amount every second night after cleansing to ease your skin into it. That way, you’ll see that glow with little to no dryness or irritation.
Once you have finished your bottle of Level 1 and your skin is loooving it, you can move to Level 2 and so on. You don’t want to go too hard too quickly or your skin will have a bit of a freakout. So, be gentle and you’ll see those anti-ageing, brightening and clearing benefits in no time.
All types or retinoids, including encapsulated retinol, make your skin a little more sensitive to sunlight, so it is absolutely crucial you’re using SPF every single day. May we suggest the Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen? We could be biassed but it has great protection powers while giving an extra dose of anti-ageing ingredients.
As with all retinols, ours is not safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, but after that, you’re good to go mama!
If you’re still not sure about encapsulated retinol, whether it is for you, or how to incorporate it into your skincare routine, our Skin Consultants are here to help you out - chat to them today!
