Retinol is a must-have ingredient for oily skin. The list of benefits why you should include retinol into your skincare routine, no matter your skin type, are endless. Let’s dive straight into why you should include retinol in an oily skincare routine!
How does Retinol work for oily skin?
Retinol is known for its resurfacing benefits, so how does this benefit oily skin? Well, retinol can speed up the turnover of cells and is also known for its aid in reducing bacteria on the skin. By helping to remove tissue and dead skin cell build up, retinol helps mitigate bacteria that leads to clogged pores and excess sebum production. By removing the build up on the skin and helping regulate oil production, retinol helps to balance skin and minimise pore size.
As retinol helps to resurface the skin, removing any old skin cells, it helps products to penetrate the skin more effectively. This is a particular benefit to those with oily skin as it means moisture is hydrating deeper into the skin, leaving it feeling smoother and looking brighter, and also meaning that skin isn’t producing excess sebum to compensate for lack of moisture in the skin.
Another benefit of using retinol in an oily skincare routine is that those with oily skin tend to complain about large pores. Retinol helps to clear out pores with its resurfacing powers and this leaves pores looking visibly smaller and clearer from blackheads.
Recommended Retinol Products For Oily Skin
There are so many derivatives and types of Retinol, different strengths and ingredient combinations, that the Retinol arena is a minefield to enter. At SKINICIAN we have created two retinol products, the only difference being the % of retinol in each level. We recommend everyone starts off gently on Level 1 and progresses to Level 2 when they feel the skin is able to tolerate a higher % of retinol on the skin.
SKINICIAN Overnight Retinol Powerbalm
Our Retinol Powerbalm is an award winning product for a reason! This lightweight powerbalm is formulated with pure retinol which has been clinically proven to be highly effective at targeting cell renewal. Not all products are formulated with pure retinol and instead can contain a combination of milder, less effective retinoids that may not provide the same results.
An amazing product to incorporate into your routine if you suffer from oily skin as retinol helps to unclog pores by increasing cell turnover, enabling the skin to repair itself. By removing bacteria that has built up on the skin from dead skin cells and tissue, congestion and sebum production are reduced, leaving skin feeling smoother and with a glow rather than an oily appearance.
Benefits of Retinol for oily skin
Let’s recap on the benefits of incorporating a retinol into an oily skincare routine.
Refines Skin Texture and Tone
Retinol helps to speed up collagen production, firms and plumps the skin, which in turn helps to tighten pores on the skin meaning that pores appear visibly reduced and also create and emit less sebum. This helps to give skin an overall brighter and smoother complexion, with a glow rather than an oily sheen.
Anti-Ageing Properties
A benefit to having oily skin over dry skin is that your skin is thicker meaning it tends to age slower but having the added bonus of retinol in your skincare routine helps to slow the signs of ageing even further. Increased collagen production, cell turnover and increases the firmness of skin are just a few of the anti-ageing benefits retinol can offer oily skin.
Brightens Skin
Oily skin may appear dull, lacklustre and dehydrated so adding a retinol product into your oily skincare routine can help speed up cell renewal leaving skin looking brighter and feeling smoother. Retinol also helps to fade pigmentation whether that be from sun damage, age spots or acne scarring, so skin will appear brighter and more even.
How to Choose a Retinol Product For Oily skin
Look for a lightweight textured product and remember to start slow. Retinol can cause reactions as it is a strong resurfacing ingredient, so start by buffering the product into your PM moisturiser once or twice a week until you feel your skin’s tolerance has increased. After a few weeks start using the product directly on the skin, building up slowly. This is particularly important for those with oily skin, as overuse of the product can cause sensitivity and overstimulate the skin, which in turn may lead skin to overproduce sebum to compensate.
It is also important to note that retinol should only ever be used in your PM oily skincare routine and to ensure an oily skin friendly SPF is worn in the AM as skin will become more sensitive to UV damage.
Read more articles on oily skin:
- How to Reduce Oily Skin
- AM/PM Oily Skincare Routine
- Oily Skin Routine For Women In Their 40s
- Skincare Ingredients to Transform Oily Skin
- Find all articles on our oily skin blog
Or read real-life oily skin journeys: