Whether you’ve heard of retinol or not, the vitamin A derivative is without a doubt one of the most effective anti-ageing products on the market. So effective, in fact, that Elizabeth Arden have added the ingredient to their award-winning Ceramide Capsule range that changed the anti-ageing game over 25 years ago.
We spoke with Dr Dendy Engelman, a New York-based cosmetic & skin cancer surgeon and celeb dermatologist, to find out more about this latest innovation in the skincare game and how best to use the Retinol Ceramide Capsules to achieve your best ever looking skin.
What is retinol and what are the benefits of using it in our skin regime?
“Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative that helps with overall skin texture and tone improvement,” Dr Engelman says.
It is this ability that makes the ingredient a powerful anti-ager, as well as assisting with skin cell turnover, making skin appear more youthful.
“It also helps to support skin’s natural collagen and elastin, thus improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she says.
When should I start using retinol?
Dr Engelman explains that vitamin A can be used for a number of skin conditions such as acne, and therefore doesn’t believe there is a definitive age of when one should start using the ingredient.
“For anti-aging benefits, I usually recommend starting to use vitamin A in your mid-to-late 20s to help encourage cell renewal, since we know cell turnover slows as we inch towards 30,” she explains.
“That being said, I have more and more patients in their early 20s asking for it as a preventative measure, as well as to assist with acne.”
How do I avoid irritation when using retinol?
Dendy believes that the best way to avoid irritation, redness and peeling associated with retinol use is to apply the correct amount.
“Using more of a Retinol product won’t make it more efficacious, just more irritating,” she says. “Retinol Ceramide Capsules help with this because they’re pre-dosed so you don’t need to think about how much you’re using.”
She explains that Elizabeth Arden’s unique formulation with Ceramides also helps to prevent irritation.
“By adding Ceramides to the formula, we are helping to moisturise within the application of the serum itself and helping to pre-emptively address any dryness and potential irritation that we know Retinol can cause,” she says.
SPF should also be used extra diligently the day after using retinol to avoid irritation and risk of sun damage due to heightened skin sensitivity.
Where should I fit retinol into my regime?
Due to retinol’s instability under UV radiation, the capsules are best used as part of a nighttime skin regime.
“This is also because it is optimal time to enhance skin’s natural cell turnover, since skin naturally resets overnight,” Dr Engelman says.
As for where when retinol should be applied during your regime? According to Dr Engelman, it should be applied after your cleanse and before moisturising.
“After cleansing, use a topical probiotic like SUPERSTART Skin Renewal Booster to support skin’s microbiome, before your Capsule,” she says.
“Apply the capsule to your face and décolleté, followed by your favorite hydrating night cream – I like to pair them with the Ceramide Overnight Firming Mask.”
She stresses that it is essential that your skin has adequate protection the day after using a retinol capsule.
“It’s critical to make sure you are wearing SPF and antioxidants, like PREVAGE City Smart in the morning after a nightly Retinol treatment to protect skin from sun exposure,” she says.
What’s the benefit of using retinol in capsule form, compared to a retinol lotion?
“A key benefit is that since capsules are pre-dosed and encapsulated without exposure to light or air, the formula has an increased potency compared to its nonencapsulated equivalent,” Dr Engelman says.
She attributes this to vitamin A’s notoriously instability, which causes it to lose its full potency when exposed to air and light – this is avoided by the Retinol Ceramide Capsules, ensuring the strongest possible potency and efficacy.
“Elizabeth Arden actually did a study to show just how much the Retinol Ceramide Capsules help to preserve potency, and found that the Retinol in the capsules was 76% more potent than the same formula in non-capsule form.”
Just repurchased the Advanced Ceramide Capsules? Fret not! Dr Engelman says that both capsules play different, yet complementary roles for your skin health.
“Think of it this way – you brush your teeth every day, and you wouldn’t skip that step for a whitening treatment,” she says. “Advanced Ceramide Capsules provide daily support to your skin’s barrier layer, and Retinol Ceramide Capsules help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, texture and tone.”
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules are available in two sizes; 60 capsules at AU$150, 30 capsules at AU$75. Available now at Myer and David Jones stores nationwide.
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Elizabeth Arden is a commercial partner of RESCU.com.au
