Fall Skin Care

By Vee Mistry

It literally took years for me to confidently put my name behind a good Retinol/Vitamin A product. I searched for one that would not irritate, inflame or excessively dry out the skin. Products that get my stamp of approval have one key difference that makes them stand out – formulation! Vitamin A has so many potential benefits, but if it’s not formulated with the right supportive ingredients, it can have a negative impact on the skin.

Let’s first understand how Retinol affects the skin –  Vitamin A is the ingredient that helps communication in skin cells’ DNA to make sure they are replicating rapidly and forming correctly at the deepest skin level. When these healthy new cells migrate to the skin’s surface, your overall complexion appears even, fresh, and dewy. At the same time, Vitamin A provides the building blocks to maintain healthy Collagen & Elastin production, giving skin its bounce and supporting the skin’s scaffolding & structure to delay the formation of lines and wrinkles.

For those of you who aren’t using a Retinol/Vitamin A product, you should – it’s an amazing addition to a pro-aging and proactive skincare routine. That said, Retinol can be intense, so we want to introduce it slowly. I suggest applying twice a week at night to start, and after two weeks move to 3x/week. Then, after two more weeks, make it 4x/week. Gradually increasing the frequency of applications allows you to explore the right rhythm for your skin to feel balanced – you can work up to daily use of your retinol product, but stay mindful of any skin irritation and reduce frequency if needed. 

As we go into the Autumn months, your Retinol is going to be the perfect addition to your skin routine to also help fade and lighten any sundance caused during the summer months. 

Now for my recommended Retinol products…  There are three that I love, and each is slightly different in formulation. They vary in potency and supportive ingredients to target a multitude of benefits for different skin concerns.

If you have breakouts, acne, and/or inflamed skin, I recommend the Dermaquest Retinaldehyde Renewal cream. This creamy-but-light texture delivers Retinaldehyde, a slow release formulation of Vitamin A and goes through fewer chemical changes as it absorbs into the skin, limiting irritation. The combination of stem cells and anti-inflammatory ingredients, like olive leaf extract and tocopherol (a form of Vitamin E), will calm and soothe the skin. 

If you are concerned with pigmentation, try the Jan Marini Skin Research Luminate Lotion. With its odorless and colorless addition of turmeric, this retinol works hard to balance and brighten your complexion. 

Lastly, if you are concerned with lines, wrinkles, sagging, and laxity in the skin, explore Jan Marini Age Intervention Retinol Plus. In addition to the retinol, The Age Intervention includes anti-inflammatory Green Tea Extract & Bisabolol, and Hyaluronic Acid for hydration. 

Here are some great rules of thumb to consider when introducing any Retinol product to your skincare routine:

  • Go slow & steady – let your skin build a tolerance.
  • Don’t get hung up on Retinol potency alone – consider the full formulation for optimal results 
  • Be extra careful to protect your skin with SPF daily when adding Retinol.
  • It’s okay to skip a day – we don’t recommend using your Retinol or Vitamin A product when you know you’ll be spending more time in the sun than usual.

Vee Mistry is the founder and owner of SKINBYVEE and is a certified Aesthetician and Facialist with over 25 years of experience in the industry. SKINBYVEE.com