At 38 years old, retinol took the position of my ultimate anti-aging treatment, which restored my youthful appearance.
With my 11-hour workdays at finance alongside new business consulting and skincare practice, squeezed into conference breaks my schedule leaves no time for actual research of working ingredients.
My reflection in the mirror during the previous year revealed my aging skin through its combination of wrinkles and dark marks and its poor texture and dullness.
During my sleepless nights I discovered through TikTok that Retinol stands as the number one choice for fighting aging.
I dismissed the idea at first before discovering its effectiveness through personal use.
The Science:
Why Retinol Deserves a Spot in Your Night Routine
Retinol which derives from vitamin A functions as a strong agent to boost collagen levels while minimizing acne scars and enhancing the look of fine lines.
Skincare results improve when using retinol in a scheduled skincare practice together with antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C which creates brighter skin and firmer outcomes with improved radiance.
The challenge for women like us who have active lives and late nights while dealing with sensitive skin is maintaining consistent results from skincare products before achieving maximum outcomes.
My Real-Life Routine for Radiant Skin at 38
I have one rule: no fake or cheap retinol. With this in mind, it helped me navigate to find quality retinol. I created a nightly skincare program designed for women with active lifestyles to achieve maximum anti-aging results.
Step 1: Gentle Cream Cleanser on Damp Skin
A gentle cream cleanser is my first step before touching my face since it works well for sensitive skin types including my own. I go for quality not name brand, but if its an awesome product that just happens to be name brand, that’s ok too.
Try this cleanser containing cocamidopropyl betaine and oryza sativa (rice) extract because it cleans effectively without damaging the skin.
I clean my face with a small amount of cleanser on wet skin while the gentle lather develops and I breathe in the chamomile extract to experience the self-care benefits of skincare even during exhausted moments.
Step 2: Retinol Night Cream (Just a Pea-Sized Amount!)
My holy grail? A topical retinol treatment formulated for sensitive skin.
Using retinol at night provides the best results because it degrades when exposed to sunlight and daily use has created noticeable improvements in my skin texture and dark circles as well as dark spots.
This is a staple in my household. The combination of retinol night cream with aloe barbadensis leaf and vitamin E beads and simmondsia chinensis (jojoba oil) delivers both powerful and gentle effects.
💡 Keep your retinol treatment in its original packaging while wearing protective clothing and applying SPF sunscreen during daylight since it makes your skin more sensitive to environmental damage.
Step 3: Hydration, Hydration, Hydration
I protect my skin from flakiness and irritations through the application of a serum containing hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA and vitamin B for moisture absorption and hydration.
The serum glides across my skin like a soft material that mixes well with retinoid products.
AHA & BHA should be applied one to two times a week as a bonus treatment.
I use a glycolic acid and salicylic acid combination on nights without retinol to remove dead skin cells and control oil production in my T-zone after analyzing finance reports for hours..
How Long Before You See Results?
If you are like my mom and use retinol products once a month when she happens to remember, then it won’t work, no it will NOT!
. Consistent retinol use delivered its best results to me during the period of 6–8 weeks. Your path to glowing skin will differ from others yet maintaining your commitment will lead to results. After one month, I experienced noticeable improvements in skin firmness and tone, and radiance.
Affiliate Picks That Changed My Skin (and Fit My Lifestyle):
🛒 Retinol Night Cream for Sensitive Skin
For extra coverage, add vitamin E and use aloe vera juice, chamomile, to spritz tthe face during hot sunny days
You can purchase this product from the linked website.
🛒 Gentle Cream Cleanser with Oryza Sativa & Aloe Barbadensis
→ Perfect for removing makeup and SPF without irritation
This product is available for your first order on the website.
🛒 Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin B & Sodium PCA
The product leaves your skin looking both plump and radiant during your early morning Zoom meetings.
🛒 Vitamin C + E Booster with Ascorbyl Palmitate for Brightening
The formula works to minimize dark spots and defend the immune functions of your skin.
Before You Start Retinol…
The first step should always include patch testing especially for individuals with skin conditions who receive other treatments. Consult with your healthcare provider through messaging before using topical retinoids if you are pregnant or nursing and whenever you are unsure about the product.
Final Thoughts: Glow on Your Terms
A proper skincare plan should not create more work for you. The skincare plan should help you navigate meetings at the office and important business discussions and routine daily tasks.
Building empires alongside my fight against aging skin has taught me that you can develop your glow while building your business.
You can reach me through DM on Instagram to ask questions regarding retinol products or future orders or how to begin. I enjoy talking to other women who juggle their beauty needs with their business responsibilities and leadership roles.
