Your skincare routine is only as effective as the products you choose to use - which need to have the right active ingredients for your needs. Since our founding, at Brickell we've always focused on natural and organic ingredients that are safe, gentle, and effective.
For quite some time, that meant giving preference to ingredients like vitamin C, vitamin A, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), DMAE (dimethylethanolamine), plant stem cells, protein peptides, and hyaluronic acid instead of retinol. But we've changed our stance on retinol and now include it in our Retinol Face Moisturizer Cream.
Why the change? What are the benefits of using retinol? And what should you choose if retinol isn't for you?
Why We Recommend Retinol for Men
Retinol has been proven to soften skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and combat signs of aging including photoaging. That's all great - but moisturizers with retinol, a form of vitamin A, can cause skin irritation in many men. That's why we had chosen to skip it as an active ingredient, despite its benefits.
However, scientific advancements and subsequent studies have significantly reduced the risk of skin damage and irritation for men who use retinol. For example, one overview of the efficacy and safety of retinoids for anti-aging identified specific retinoids that were safer and less irritating to the skin. When combined with novel delivery systems, such as nanoparticulate systems, the risk of irritation is even further reduced.
The researchers concluded that "amongst various anti-aging agents, retinoids are the most promising agents that are available for the treatment of aging." They also noted the option to "switch over to less irritating but comparably effective retinoids." The European Union has also determined that, in limited doses, retinoids are safe and effective.
This evidence and the high demand for retinol cream for men amongst our own customers has led us to recommend retinol and develop our Retinol Face Moisturizer Cream.
Who Should Use Retinol for Men
Retinol cream is best for guys who want to:
- Reduce the amount and severity of wrinkles
- Firm up fine lines for more youthful skin
- Smooth and rejuvenate skin texture
- Diminish age spots and pigmentation issues caused by UV damage
If you have normal to oily skin and tolerate most skincare products without irritation, you should have no problem using retinol. Just be sure to follow the guidelines below on how much to use and how often to use it.
Who Shouldn't Use Retinol for Men
If you have especially sensitive skin, we still do not recommend retinol cream. Guys with very dry skin or who tend to experience redness, flaking, itchiness, and other irritation when using harsh skincare products should find alternative anti-aging ingredients. Fortunately, there are many of them and you can still get excellent results without relying on retinol.
For example, our Revitalizing Anti-Aging Cream is made with DMAE, MSM, and hyaluronic acid. Its retinol-free formula is perfect for guys with sensitive skin who want all the anti-aging benefits without the concern of possible skin irritation from retinol.
How to Use Retinol Cream for Men
Follow these tips when using retinol cream for men to maximize the benefits of this powerful ingredient while also avoiding irritation:
Patch Test First
If you have any concerns about how your skin will react to retinol, do a patch test before applying it all over your face. This involves applying the product to small patch of skin and then observing to make sure there's not a negative reaction.
Start Slow
Slowly building a tolerance to retinol will help minimize any irritation while also ensuring you get its maximum anti-aging benefits. When first using retinol cream for men, apply it once or twice a week. If you don't experience any irritation, you can slowly increase to daily use.
Cut Back As Needed
If your skin starts to show any kind of irritation, such as redness or flaking, go back to less frequent application.
Apply to Dry Skin
Retinol moisturizer is much less likely to cause irritation when applied to dry skin. Don't think you can rush through your routine and put your retinol cream on while your skin is still wet or damp - it's not worth it.
Use Retinol at Night or with Sunscreen
Retinol increases your skin's sensitivity to UV rays. For that reason, you should use retinol cream for men at night or always apply sunscreen over your retinol cream if you use it during the day. Our Daily Defense Face Moisturizer with SPF 20 is a safe, natural option made with zinc oxide that won't leave any white streaks behind.
Safely Enjoy the Anti-Aging Benefits of Retinol for Men
We're excited to offer our Retinol Face Moisturizer Cream for guys who want to utilize this powerful ingredient in their anti-aging routines. Follow the tips above and be smart about how you introduce retinol into your skincare routine. That will ensure you enjoy all the wrinkle smoothing, skin firming benefits of retinol without the frustration of skin irritation.
