Retinol: we’ve all heard about its anti-aging benefits, but most people are too scared to use it on their skin. We don’t blame them because prescription retinol can be irritating and drying. If you’re new to this potent ingredient, we suggest buying a retinol night cream that is gentler on the skin and offers the same benefits of reducing texture, scarring, pores, and fine lines as the prescription retinol but without the irritation. Here’s what you need to know about retinol night creams before you purchase one.
What to Look for in a Retinol Night Cream
The Retinol Potency
Vitamin A derivatives have varying degrees of effectiveness depending on their strength. Some of its most effective derivatives, such as Tretinoin, cannot be obtained without a prescription, but other over-the-counter retinol products offer the same benefits but may take longer to work.
Retinol night creams come in different strength levels: quarter, half, and full strength. The best retinol night cream for you will depend on the potency your skin can handle. It’s often recommended to start with the lowest retinol concentration and work your way up as your skin gets used to the potent ingredient.
As a general rule of thumb, the product you’re buying should have retinol listed at the top of its ingredient list. Some expensive night creams contain Retinyl Palmitate, which is a potent combination of retinol and palmitic acid. Together, these antioxidants work hard to regenerate your skin cells overnight, giving you long-term anti-aging benefits.
Price
Skincare experts suggest staying away from the retinol night creams in your local drugstore because they might not have a high enough concentration of retinol in their formulas to be effective. In fact, many drugstore retinol creams are expensive moisturizers at best, which is why we recommend reading the label to see if you’re getting what you’re paying for.
Night creams with a higher concentration of retinol are more expensive to formulate, which is why they come with a steeper price tag. Buying a costly retinol night cream might leave your wallet feeling unhappy but is definitely a splurge-worthy investment.
The Delivery System
Concentration isn’t the only thing that determines the efficacy of retinol night creams. The delivery system for the retinol to get absorbed into the skin also impacts how well it will work. Look for a retinol night cream with a slow-release delivery system, allowing the vitamin to break down slowly overnight to prevent any stinging or irritation. Before making a purchase, do your research on the brand you’re buying from and see if the product’s formula suits your skin type.
The Brand
Skincare is a booming market with new brands emerging every day with new formulas and promises of delivering quicker and better results. But reputable names that have been in the industry for decades have more resources for the research and development of new products.
Retinol night creams are already very expensive, and you definitely don’t want to bet your money on a brand that doesn’t have a reputation for making reliable products. We suggest purchasing from tried-and-true brands so that you can be confident about the efficacy of your retinol night cream.
Packaging
Retinol is a notoriously unstable vitamin that can quickly oxidize if exposed to sunlight, extreme temperatures, or air. The packaging of retinol night creams is an important factor to consider because oxidation can deactivate the ingredient, rendering it ineffective. Steer clear of transparent glass containers that may look luxurious but allow the sunlight to pass through.
Make sure that the container of your retinol night cream is opaque and stored in a cool dark place at all times to retain its effectiveness. Some retinol night creams have a microencapsulated formula that keeps the unstable vitamin from oxidizing. These products might be pricier than regular retinol night creams, but they are much more stable and have a longer shelf life.
Other Ingredients
An over-the-counter retinol night cream may cause irritation or stinging the first few times you use it. Since retinol causes dryness, it’s important to find a formula with soothing and hydrating ingredients. Look for a retinol night cream that has hyaluronic acid and emollients like shea butter and squalane to nourish your skin overnight. A retinol night cream may also contain ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and probiotics, which strengthen your skin’s natural moisture barrier and prevent any redness or irritation.
What Is the Price Range for Retinol Night Creams?
Is there anything more satisfying than finding an effective retinol night cream that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket? Retinol night creams can be an expensive investment, with some products costing up to hundreds of dollars! There are plenty of affordable options available in drug stores, too, that cost as little as $20, but with retinol night creams, you often get what you pay for.
If you’re new to retinol and don’t know how your skin will react to a formula, we suggest trying a less expensive night cream first. Luckily, we’ve found some incredible options to get you started on your retinol journey as you search for the ‘perfect’ formula for your skin type.
Retinol Night Cream FAQ
Q: Can you use a retinol night cream during pregnancy?
A: It’s not advisable to use high doses of vitamin A derivatives during pregnancy as it can be harmful to the unborn child. Pregnant women can use products that contain retinol alternatives like bakuchiol which is naturally occurring and offers the same collagen-boosting benefits without any harmful side effects.
Q: How often should I use a retinol night cream?
A: If you’re new to the vitamin A family, you’re better off using the retinol night cream sparingly; ideally, a couple of times a week and slowly increasing the frequency as your skin adapts to the formula.
Q: How long does it take to see results with a retinol night cream?
A: While prescription-strength retinols are incredibly effective and deliver results within weeks, most over-the-counter products like retinol night creams have a lower potency, hence, they can take months to reverse sun damage, aging, and acne scars.