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What are Retinoids

Retinoid is the umbrella term for vitamin A derivatives, including retinol. These ingredients accelerate cell turnover, helping shed dull, dead skin cells that naturally accumulate with age. The result is smoother, brighter skin with reduced appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores.

How Retinoids Work in Skin

Retinoids take many forms, but only one of them, retinoic acid, is active in the skin. It is highly effective, yet often too irritating to apply directly. Skin solves this with its own conversion process: it metabolises gentler retinoids into active retinoic acid on demand, and stores the rest until it is ready. The result is visible change without the downtime of prescription strength treatments.

Retinoid forms in the skin: retinol, retinyl retinoate, retinaldehyde and retinyl linoleate

When to start using Retinols

The general consensus among experts is to introduce a retinoid serum in your mid-20s to early 30s. While there’s no rush, a gentle retinoid formula can be used as a preventative measure or to tackle early signs of ageing such as fine lines and reduced elasticity.

Powerful visible results

95%

reported a significant increase in skin radiance, glow, and luminosity.

20X

Better wrinkle reduction performance compared to lower baseline alternatives

50%

more skin collagen production

How to use your retinol

Where it fits in your evening and morning routine

Before

Cleanse with Essential Cleanser.

Follow with B5 Hydrating Serum to support the skin.

Your retinol

Apply a thin layer of RiQ Retinol 0.3% in the evening to the face, keeping away from the eyes.

Start with three evenings a week and build up gradually as your skin gets used to it.

Cannot use any other actives on the same evening as retinol

After

The next morning, apply SheerZinc SPF 30 and reapply through the day.

Last but not least...

Last but not least: be patient. While you may see some immediate benefits, it takes time and consistency to see results with retinoids, but once you do, you’ll be glad you stuck it out.