Retinol Vs Collagen Peptides: Which Anti Aging Product Is Better For You?

Name a skin concern, and it's likely collagen and retinol products can fix it. Uneven texture? Check. Wrinkles? Check. Discoloration and uneven skin tone? Check. Dry skin? Check. Acne? Check. You get the gorgeous, youth giving picture now right?

Retinol  and collagen skincare has been perfecting skin for years, and it's largely because of its effect on collagen production. Put in another way, the smoothening, plumping and youthful benefits everyone raves about when they use anti aging products like collagen and Retinol have an underlying direct link to collagen deep in the skin.

In fact, retinol and collagen aren't at odds at all; they work hand-in-hand to help improve skin health and longevity and it’s no doubt they are two of the most talked about youth boosting ingredients.

But which should you use and why?

Read on to discover more as we dive deep into what truly separates both and which is better for your skin type and goals.

What Is Retinol?

Since it first debuted on the market in the 1970s, retinol also known as Vitamin A has been a dermatologist favorite. After retinol is applied, skin enzymes convert it into retinoic acid so it can get to work at the deeper layers of skin.

As retinoic acid, it increases cell turnover, which means it reduces breakouts, and improves skin tone. The result is a smooth glowing complexion.

But that’s not all retinol does.

Besides helping produce collagen, it minimizes fine lines, wrinkles and diminishes hyperpigmentation, blackheads, acne and dark spots. Overall, it helps make skin look tighter, even-toned, and younger.

What is collagen?

Collagen is what keeps skin glowing, firm, and smooth. It is naturally found in the skin, deep in the dermis, as well as in connective tissues like tendons and ligaments. As we age, we slowly lose collagen and elasticity and, as a result, wrinkles, sagging skin, and other unwanted signs of aging becomes much more pronounced.

What does collagen in skincare products do?

One of the best ways to reduce the signs of aging on your skin especially if you are above 30 is to encourage your body to make more collagen.

Our skin is made up of collagen proteins, so it makes sense that collagen skincare and supplements can boost it right?

But it’s not that straightforward.

This is because not all collagen products are made equal. Some just stay on the skin to make you look good temporarily while some absorb into skin to actually really get down to work from the inside out.

Can Collagen absorb into skin?

Skincare that cannot absorb into skin cannot work for you.

Regular Collagen is a huge molecule that sits on the surface of the skin and cannot be absorbed  through the tiny pores of skin.

Therefore for collagen to really work it has to be broken down to make it more digestible.

For this to happen, collagen has to be hydrolyzed which means - broken down into smaller parts making it easier to be absorbed. Once absorbed, the broken-down collagen peptides starts working to help support your body’s natural collagen production.

So what you want to look out for is not just collagen but Hydrolyzed collagen also known as collagen peptides because that’s the collagen rebuilders that can really help the skin look more youthful, supple and radiant.

Retinol Strength Vs Collagen Strength

There is no doubt about it that retinol is significantly stronger than collagen. This is because retinol penetrates down deep into your skin, tricking your body into thinking it’s younger than it is. Once the retinol is penetrated, your skin can turnover cells faster again, which helps it appear more youthful and smoother.

Collagen also has the ability to penetrate the top few layers of your skin as well, but the benefits of retinol is far more reaching especially on matured aging skin.

Incorporating Retinol Into Your Skincare Routine 

There are a few do’s and don’ts when starting to incorporate retinol into your daily skincare routine.

You want to follow these carefully so you get the most out of it.

DO

• Alternate harsh skincare products or services. Don’t use harsh acne products, acids, or peels on your face + skip waxing on the night or morning after you use a retinoid, or you’ll risk irritating or burning your skin

• Start off using a pea-sized amount just once the first week, two times the second week, three times the third week, and so on. Once you have fully integrated retinol into your skincare routine it is suggested you use it every other day, FOR-EV-ER.

Don’t

• Use too much at one time. More products layered on top of each other isn’t going to make the product work better. Instead, start with a pea drop size and use that for your entire face and neck. It truly would go a long way.

• Skip Sunscreen. Retinoids can make skin extra sensitive to the sun, which can cause sunburns, rashes or discoloration, so load up on SPF 30 or higher each morning.

Incorporating Collagen Into Your Skincare Routine 

Since collagen isn’t as harsh there aren’t too many rules for it.

Though it can be used either morning or night, it’s recommended you Use it at night in the form of a night cream or serum or mask. Since it gives you a quicker fix option a night cream or serum will noticeably tighten the face giving you faster anti-aging result.

When it comes to collagen, you want to use it more frequently like daily if you can for better results. But don't apply too much. More product does not equal more results. Our skin only absorbs so much at a time and you will end up wasting it.

Which one is better to use: Retinol or Collagen?

This is going to be 100% relative to each person and their needs.

Use Collagen if:

• Want a less harsh option because you have sensitive skin or break out from retinol products

• Want to have quick plump and even skin

• If you have acne-prone skin and more especially if your acne prone skin is also prone to dryness and flakiness.

• If you suffer from an inflammatory skin condition such as rosacea, psoriasis, or eczema

• If you have youthful skin and simply want to add something to nourish, maintain and make it just pop.

• If you want a skincare product that’s going to give you almost instant results

Use Retinol if:

• You want to fix your skin problems long term (retinol takes at least 3 months to show remarkable improvement)

• You have matured skin and deep wrinkles you want to eliminate

• You want to shrink pores, brighten dark spots and plump your face by deeply resurfacing your skin

• You want to transform your complexion over time and soften all your features

• You want to fight acne and inflammation

• If you have oily or acne-prone skin under control (no recent breakouts)

• If you have visible stubborn acne scars that you want to get rid of without lasering or micro-needling

• If you don’t have sensitive skin (for example, you’ve already used various skincare acids, peels, or serums on your skin without any adverse reaction)

Can I Use Both Collagen & Retinol Together?

Yes, you can! In fact, you’ll find that teaming these ingredients together will result in an all over improvement. To get the best out of both powerhouses. it is best to apply them both during your evening routine. This is because of the fact retinol is a photosensitive ingredient and when exposed to UV rays can be rendered useless. You’ll also discover that peptides contain antioxidant properties making them effective at keeping the skin barrier strong and able to combat signs of free radicals, such as pollution, UVA and UVB rays as well as other environmental aggressors.

So, in fact, there is nothing stopping you from using these skin heroes together, but how you use them matters.

4 Best Ways To Layer Collagen Peptides With Retinol Together

• Apply each separately, start with collagen peptides in your morning routine (to replenish the skin’s natural protective barrier when you face the elements) followed with retinol in the evening (when you won’t be exposing your skin to the sun).

• Apply 24k Gold collagen peptides serum onto freshly cleansed skin before retinol. By opting for 24k Gold collagen peptides serum that contains active levels of peptides you will ensure the skin reaps the rewards without any side effectives of potential dryness and irritation.

• Apply both Retinol cream  and peptide-based night cream Like Neutriherbs  Pro Collagen Face Firming Cream at bedtime. You get the collagen-building effects of retinol, but it also works to improve the penetration of the peptide cream, which can help improve skin's firmness. Plus, many peptide creams contain plenty of emollients, hydrating ingredients that can help counteract the irritating side effects that often come with using a retinoid. Use Retinol first (just a pea-size amount), then top it with the peptide cream.

• Our Favorite recommendations is simple yet effective. Since retinol is not used every day but only about 2-3 times a week, on nights you don’t use retinol you can switch up to collagen skincare. So you alternate their use on separate nights.

 Now that you know the difference between both let’s take a look at the top-rated products you should be using!

Best Collagen Peptide and Retinol Products to Try

Retinol serum

 This powerful serum has retinol and hyaluronic acid for a gentle way to combat the signs of aging. Those who used the retinol loved the smooth texture of the product. “I’m on my second bottle of Retinol now. The product is actually super good. The wrinkles on my eye has almost disappeared and it has given me a more plumped and youthful look" - Linda U. 

Checkout More Retinol Serum Reviews

 Pro Retinol Cream

This Retinol cream helps accelerate cellular turnover for wrinkle free, acne free and young beautiful looking skin.

Upon application, retinol cream binds to your DNA and immediately begins directing the skin’s proteins and enzymes to cast off dead cells from your skin’s surface.

• Contains Apple stem cell for anti aging and skin smoothing

• Also contains green tea extract to improve skin natural moisture, fight acne and unclog pores.

RECOMMENDED FOR

Aging and acne prone skin for smoother younger look.

PRO COLLAGEN FACE FIRMING CREAM

Introducing: The new Pro Collagen Face Firming Cream which combines two types of peptide technology -- palmitoyl tripeptide and acetyl hexapeptide, (also known as "argireline") in a way that mimics both a wrinkle-filling shot and a Botox injection.

You know botox works by destroying a protein involved in the release of a neurotransmitter that would otherwise keep a muscle tense, allowing a wrinkle to form. By stopping the tensing motion and relaxing the muscle, the wrinkle seems to disappear.

The peptide complex in the collagen face cream attempts to mimic that same Botox action by blocking the action of the protein. It doesn't destroy the protein, like Botox does, but instead simply keeps it from connecting to the cell and turning on the muscle contraction while also producing more collagen. The end result over time may be similar to medical procedures, just much less dramatic.

CHECKOUT NEUTRIHERBS COLLAGEN FACE FIRMING CREAM

 24K GOLD COLLAGEN PEPTIDES SERUM

Using this 24k Gold Collagen Serum is like killing three birds with one serum with it's hydrating, glow giving and wrinkle-fighting formula.

This serum leverages the powers of peptides and combining them with other beneficial actives. It pairs a signal peptide called palmitoyl tripeptide-5 with Hydrolyzed collagen, Niacinamde, and hyaluronic acid to firm, brighten and hydrate leaving skin refreshed, revitalized and radiant.

 CHECK OUT REVIEWS FOR 24K GOLD COLLAGEN + PEPTIDES + NIACINAMIDE + HYALURONIC ACID SERUM

 VITAMIN E FACE CREAM

Purse-friendly peptide products do exist. Case in point: The Neutriherbs Vitamin E Peptides Cream. Formulated with Tripeptides to speed up skin renewal, avocado to smoothen and strengthen skin and then Niacinamide to leave skin with a subtle glow. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT VITAMIN E PEPTIDES FACE CREAM

So are you on team collagen or team retinol? Let us know which anti aging powerhouse you want in your corner!

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