Retinol Done the Korean Way

The Korean approach to skincare has always been about gentleness. So for a long time, Korean brands steered clear of retinol, a potent anti-aging ingredient which can be very harsh on skin.

But that is changing. Read on to find out more!

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative scientifically proven to help skin look younger. It works by encouraging cell turnover to reveal fresher, newer skin. Retinol helps smooth out wrinkles, brighten skin tone and improve skin resilience and elasticity. It can also unclog pores and can help heal acne. Sounds like a wonder ingredient! 

But retinol's cell turnover abilities can be harsh on skin, causing flakiness, redness, irritation and even a damaged skin barrier. To combat these side effects, Korean brands are combining retinol with gentle, nourishing ingredients used for centuries, like ginseng, (full of antioxidants), centella asiatica, (super soothing) and even ceramides (a great hydrator that boosts collagen and keeps skin firm).  

If you are curious to try the Korean approach to retinol, two excellent options are the COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream or Some By MI's Retinol Intense Reactivating Serum. Both offer 0.1% of pure retinol, a good starter amount, and include soothing ingredients to help counteract any harsh effects, like panthenol and vitamin E. And when you are ready for something a little stronger, try the Anua Retinol 0.3%+Niacin Renewing Serum.

Retinol vs. Retinal

If you are concerned about retinol's harshness, you may wish to choose a product with retinal, a retinol derivative that absorbs up to 11 times faster and is less irritating. Two  excellent retinal serums are KSecret's Seoul 1988 Serum, and Beauty of Joseon's Eye Serum both with soothing ginseng. These two products are taking the skincare world by storm and are loved by many dermatologists for their gentleness and effectiveness.

Bakuchiol -- An Effective Plant-Based Alternative

Prefer a vegan alternative to retinol? Korean brands have been early adopters of bakuchiol, a plant-based and even gentler alternative to retinol. Sourced from the babchi plant, bakuchiol appears to stimulate collagen in skin, smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines and improving skin's elasticity. Two great bakuchiol products are the NEOGEN Dermology Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum and Purito's Timeless Bloom Bakuchiol Serum.

 Retinol Do's and Dont's

When using a product with retinol or its derivatives, always read product instructions carefully -- all you need is a pea sized amount for your whole face! If using retinol during the day, be absolutely sure to wear sunscreen, as retinol will weaken skin's resilience to the sun's rays. Do not combine retinol with other active ingredients, like AHA/BHA acids, or Vitamin C as this is a recipe for irritated skin. And remember to embrace layering  -- hydrating and soothing toners, essences and emollient-rich moisturizers pair well with a retinol treatment. 

Do you Need Retinol? The Bottom Line

Do you really need to use retinol to address the signs of aging? After all, there are so many other great skincare ingredients, like niacinamide and tranexamic acid (brightening, evening out skin tone), Vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant), and fermented ingredients (anti aging). 

But retinol does work. And with the gentle Korean products here on SLB, it is possible to find one that works for you, even for sensitive skin. 

Here's to gentleness!