Hello! It’s your skincare obsessed bestie. Thanks for inviting me to drop by, and I can’t wait to start sharing my recs with you. Here is what you can expect from me this week.

• ICYMI: news, trends, and things to chat about over brunch

• WAY TO GLO: authentic skincare secrets

• GLO ABOVE+BEYOND: beauty and skincare recipes

• GLOSSIP: sales events you won’t want to miss

ICYMI

• TRENDS🤟 

  - For Coachella non-goers, don’t be bummed

  - The time stamps of American culture

• BUSINESS🤝 

  - New French bill to change the influencer business

  - The higher they rise, the harder they fall

• RANDOM🙌 

  - “You are safe, unbelievably safe!”

  - Adding “energy” to my laundry list

• FOR FUNSIES 😁💖 

  - Kiss the girl, but ask her first!

  - Check out The New Yorker’s Book Recs for This Week

WAY TO GLO!

Hey there, beauty lovers! Today, we're talking about a skincare ingredient that has been around for ages but still manages to stay on top of the anti-aging game - vitamin A, more commonly known as retinoid.

It is a powerful cosmetic ingredient that can do wonders for your skin, from reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to improving overall texture and brightness. But with so many different strengths and versions of retinol out there, it can be tough to figure out which one to choose.

The Different Types of Retinoids, And Why?

As we delve into the world of cosmetic ingredients, it becomes apparent that the term 'retinoid' is more complex than we initially thought.

Regardless of the type of retinoid chosen, all variants need to be converted into retinoic acid in order to function. Retinoic acid binds to retinoid receptors in our skin, accelerating cellular turnover rate and increasing collagen production. However, the issue lies in the fact that pure retinoic acid can often be too abrasive for most skin types.

Retinoic acid binds to receptors in our skin to speed up cellular turnover rate and to increase collagen production.

Thus, milder versions of vitamin A have been developed that require several steps of conversion in our body before becoming retinoic acid. The number of conversion steps affects the potency and gentleness of the vitamin A derivative. Generally, the more steps of conversion required, the slower the conversion process, and the gentler the effect on the skin.

These derivatives, listed in order of decreasing potency, are:

1. Retinoic Acid (or tretinoin): Most Potent, Active Form

   It used to be that you can only get them prescribed by a dermatologist, you’ll likely see something like “Retin-A 0.025%” in the prescription.

   But surprised!! After a 20-year long review, FDA finally approved this one milder form of retinoic acid to be sold OTC. It’s called Adapalene gel.

   Differin

   La Roche-Posay

   ProactivMD

2. Retinaldehyde (or retinal): 1x Conversion To Retinoic Acid

   Avene

   Allies of Skin 

   Medik8

3. Retinol: 2x Conversion To Retinoic Acid

   CeraVe

   Shani Darden

   First Aid Beauty

4. Retinyl Esters: 3x Conversion To Retinoic Acid

   A313 (French pharmacy cult favorite!)

How To Start A Retinoid Routine?

1. Determine your skin type and its needs

   Prescription Retinoid:

   GOOD FOR: Individuals over 35+, with long history of sun damage;

   Someone who, regardless of age, has pitted, indented acne scars;

   Someone who, regardless of age, has melasma from the sun, heat, pregnancy, or hormones

   NOT RECOMMENDED FOR: Sensitive skin types

   Retinal, Retinol and Retinyl Esters:

   GOOD FOR: Sensitive skin types, and can still be just as effective with long term use.

2. Select your product

   - Start with low-percentage OTC retinoids and work your way up

   - For dry skin, use a retinoid gel or serum.

   - For oily skin, use a retinoid lotion or moisturizer.

   - For combination skin, use a retinoid serum or moisturizer.

   - Choose a product with opaque, air-tight packaging for formula efficacy.

   - Avoid exposing retinol product to light, heat, and oxygen

3. Do a patch test

   - Test the product first on the back of your hand (to check for unwanted reactions)

4. Start slow + be patient

   - Applying more doesn’t mean faster results

   - Start by using the product once or twice a week, then gradually increase the cadence

   - Try the sandwich application technique to avoid irritation (moisturizer + retinoid product + moisturizer)

5. Adjust the rest of your routine to accommodate

   - Do not mix retinol with AHAs (Glycolic Acid Toner, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Lactic Acid, Mandelic Acid Treatment, Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel), BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum, C-50 Blemish Night Treatment), PHA Toner

   - You can mix retinol with hyaluronic acid to help reduce irritation

   - Use sun screen during the day, and only use your retinoids at night

   - Use exfoliating serum only on alternating days

Other Thoughts:

• Retinoid products are NOT recommended during pregnancy

• Retinoids work slowly and steadily

• Retinoids can be used around the eye area

• Retinoids do not thin the skin

• Retinoids do not exfoliate the skin

• Retinoids do not your skin more susceptible to sun burn

• Higher % of retinoids don’t necessarily give you better or faster results

• Proper sun protection is critical during retinoid use (and always)

• Gentle retinoids can be just as effective as their stronger/more potent counterparts

Like this stuff? It would make my day if you can share with your friends and family! Your support is the best kind of motivation 😃 😃 😃 😃

GLO ABOVE+BEYOND

Boost your mornings with an antioxidant juice!

Super Antioxidant: Green Juice

• Prep time: 5 mins

• 1 cucumber

• 2 leaves kale

• ½ inch ginger

• ¼ lime or lemon

• 2 apples

• 8 stalks celery

• 5 large ice cubes

Instructions:

• Wash and prep the ingredients

• In a juicer or a blender, juice in the order listed

• If using a blender, you can strain juice from the pulp; however I drink this with the pulp for extra fiber 😁 

• Add ice, enjoy promptly.

GLOSSIP

• CASHBACK

  Rakuten 6% cashback on Sephora online, or stack 4% off on Ulta’s discounts, use my referral link to receive $30 when you sign up.

• SALES EVENTS

  ULTA 40% off select products, ends 04/15

  Omorovicza 20% off site-wide, limited time only

  Paula’s Choice 15% off site wide, ends 04/10

  Glow Recipe 15% off site wide (code: GLOWFORLESS), ends 04/09

  Saks Fifth Ave 15% off , ends 04/08

That’s it for today friends! Will see you again next week~