As you guys know, our love for retinol runs so deep. Honestly, if there was ever such a thing as the fountain of youth, retinol is probably the closest thing to it. It’s been six weeks since we launched our first skincare brainchild Major Fade and we’re beyond thrilled at the positive feedback we’ve received so far, thank you again! But there are two questions that have been popping up in our comments and DMs — ‘why is there no retinol in Major Fade and how do I include it?’
For any Dr. Idriss newbies who aren’t fully clued up on the game-changing perks of retinol, here's everything you need to know about the much-loved beauty ingredient...
Retinol for rookies
In case you missed it, Dr. Shereene Idriss chats all things retinol in her article Retinol for Newbies: A Dermatologist’s Comprehensive Guide. She discusses the many rewards of this skincare superhero — from cell renewal to collagen production to its pigmentation-fighting capabilities that aid in fading sun spots and acne scarring. When used right (emphasis on ‘right’), retinol can offer some incredible benefits and leave you with a brighter, smoother, firmer, and more even complexion.
How to pick the right retinol?
Those retinol-gone-wrong accounts you've read online are honestly one of few. And most of the time, these instances occur from misusing your retinol, i.e. doing too much too soon (%) or overdoing it entirely (frequency of use). For beginners, an over-the-counter retinoid is a great starting point, and when/if you're ready to take it up a notch in potency, in the video below, Dr. Idriss delves into the different categories or classes of retinoids and also shares her favorite product picks for each.
Now back to the premise of this blog post…
Why did we choose to leave out retinol in our Major Fade formulations?
Because retinol isn’t a one-dose-fits-all type of potion — everyone’s tolerance for it is different and the last thing you want to do is incite an inflammatory response, particularly if you have Melasma. In fact, given that everyone’s skin needs are unique and sensitivities vary, it is important for you as the consumer to know not only the percentage of the retinol but also the type of retinoid you are using so that your skin can reap the benefits of this ingredient. Therefore, retinoids need to be titrated for your skin's unique needs and sensitivities, both in terms of concentration (%) and frequency of use. So instead of including retinol in Major Fade, we chose to leave it out so that you can empower your skincare routine by choosing how to incorporate it.
Why should you combine your Major Fade products with your retinoid?
Even though our Major Fade Solution System works wonders for hyperpigmentation when used solo, introducing your preferred retinoid into the mix (whether OTC or Rx) will definitely be beneficial as it will not only rev up cell turnover but it also helps even out skin tone. So essentially, your retinol will help augment the brightening effects of your Major Fade products.
How to layer Major Fade with your retinol
We recommend slathering on your retinol on the nights when you don’t use Flash Mask or any other chemical exfoliant. For our sensitive skin nerds, apply your retinol after your Hyper Serum and Active Seal moisturizing gel cream, as this will act as a buffer. And if you don’t have sensitive skin or any sensitivities, you can apply your retinol before or after your Hyper Serum.
