When I hit 30, my dermatologist recommended I start using retinol, a common anti-aging ingredient that can be found in over-the-counter products and as a prescription medication. I had started noticing some fine lines on my forehead and some discoloration, and she said that adding retinol to my routine would be the best way to prevent further damage and improve the look of those fine lines. She did warn that it could come with some side effects, but I was feeling anxious to get started with a more potent skin care regimen so I decided to give it a go.
Based on her recommendation, I started slowly, using retinol 2-3 times per week, and then building up to every other night. I knew that it would take at least 12 weeks to see any real results, which was going to be challenging, as I’m very impatient. But my hope was that in 3 short months, my skin would be smooth, glowing and wrinkle-free. Things didn’t quite go as planned.
Some of the side effects of the retinol showed up right away. Burning, dry, flaky skin, and itching to be precise. And after a few weeks I started noticing breakouts as well and went into full panic mode. I called my doctor who assured me that this was normal and should clear up in a few weeks. (Apparently it’s a “gets worse before it gets better” situation.) Needless to say, 6 weeks in, I was not loving my retinol experience.
But I had heard the reviews and seen all the before and after photos so I was determined to stick with it for at least another 6 weeks. And luckily I did see improvement. The fine lines started to dissipate and the breakouts cleared up. My skin looked good - but not great. It was still drier than I would like and super sensitive to the sun even though I was using high SPF everyday. I wasn’t sure what to do. Should I bite the bullet and keep using it or start looking for other options?
When I learned that retinol may not be sustainable for long-term use, and could in fact harm skin down the road (yikes!) I knew I had my answer. Through my Google deep dives I came across OneSkin, a skincare brand founded by 4 female scientists (love this) who have developed a peptide called OS-01. This peptide is the first of its kind and it has been scientifically proven to increase the activity of genes responsible for collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin production. (Read: all the things that make your skin look healthy and amazing.)
The benefits of retinol and peptides are extremely similar and they are neck and neck at promoting the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in skin. But peptides have none of the harsh side effects. So what was I doing still using retinol??
I immediately placed an order for OneSkin’s OS-01 FACE Topical Supplement, powered by the OS-01 peptide, and I was impressed to learn it is the first skin longevity treatment that extends skin health on the molecular level by addressing the root causes of skin aging. Within just a week or so of using the product, I noticed a huge improvement in the dryness and flakiness I had been experiencing. After using it consistently for about 2 months, I’m happy to report that the benefits I had experienced with retinol remained consistent (reduced fine lines and discoloration) but all of the side effects are gone now that I switched to OneSkin! My skin is smoother, clearer, and completely rejuvenated. If you have sensitive skin or are dealing with the retinol side effects I experienced, OneSkin could be a total gamechanger for you. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
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