How does retinol fight pimples? Benefits, uses, and more

Tea tree oil, benzoyl peroxide, and salicylic acid. If you’re anything like me and have struggled with acne, you’ve probably previously heard of these elements. You also know that these active ingredients are always accessible in the drugstore aisle. Some people find these spot and acne treatments to be successful and have been using them happily, but that is not the case for everyone. If you’ve been breaking out for years and are still not seeing change, it may be time to introduce to you the major weapon—we’re talking about retinol for acne.

Retinol treatments have been popular for weeks on Tiktok and other social media platforms like Facebook. The media content creators are talking about a lot of uses, pros, and cons as well as their own experiences. It became the talk of the town and many people, you guessed it right, ang nagpabudol!

But can retinol actually treat acne?

In this article, I will share with you an answer to that question along with some other information and suggestions that might help you in making the purchase.

What is Retinol?

According to an article, retinol is a natural component of anti-aging treatments. However, it might also be a useful component for treating acne and lessening the visibility of acne scars.

In on-the-counter skin care products such serums, creams for wrinkles, and nighttime moisturizers, retinol is also a common ingredient. It belongs to the group of substances known as retinoids. All types of retinoids derived from vitamin A, both function similarly, although at different levels; retinoids are stronger and act more quickly, retinol takes longer to take effect but is gentler to the skin.

Can retinol fight pimples?

To answer that question, yes.

Retinol operates in several ways. Retinol removes impurities like dead skin cells and pore-clogging oil from the epidermis, or top layer of skin. This may help avoid the development of pimples. Retinol, in contrast to many other acne treatments like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, retinol functions by literally entering the skin. Dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., of New York City, claimed in a Glamour article that “Vitamin A derivatives help to treat acne as they help to manage skin cell turnover.”

Does retinol work the same?

All types can improve your skin, but because retinoids work more quickly, they are regarded as the gold standard for treating acne.

According to Dr. Garshick as well as an article from Prevention, this avoids clogged pores, which are frequently a major contributing element to the emergence of acne breakouts. Additionally, they aid in lowering oil production, combat inflammation (which contributes to the growth of acne), reduce acne scarring, and minimize the red streaks that remain after a pimple. 

But like many topical drugs, the effectiveness of your retinoid can be increased with a little assistance. According to studies, these treatments work best to cure acne when paired with an antibacterial such as benzoyl peroxide (which fights the p. acnes bacteria that triggers your bumps).

What dosage works best for my acne?

First, you must determine your skin type. Consider starting with a lower dose if you have sensitive skin. Depending on the formulation, topical retinoids are also available in a range of strengths, with the lowest being 0.025% and the maximum being 0.3%. (which is only available as a prescription). 

Best Retinol product for acne that you can use

The Ordinary Retinol

The Ordinary is well recognized for its incredibly affordable skincare items. The company’s retinol serum, which is designed to lessen fine lines, sun damage, and other general indications of aging, contains 1 percent pure retinol. 

Note that this is The Ordinary’s strongest product, so if you’re new to using retinol, you should definitely start with a lower concentration to prevent irritation.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

The retinol serum from the brand CeraVe is intended to treat acne scars and minimize the look of pores. This unscented gel serum is safe to use on sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Keep in mind that if you can get a dermatologist to look for your skin and how much dosage you need is advisable. Once more, remember to consider how sensitive your skin is. Additionally, keep in mind that not all retinol-based anti-aging medications are designed to also cure acne. Ingredients like certain scents and oils that could trigger acne should be avoided.