One of those magical ingredients that all skincare experts agree on is retinol. This vitamin works amazingly against the signs of aging and can help you fight all visual symptoms. When used properly, vitamin A can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin thickness, reduce pigmentation, normalize skin, improve texture, unclog pores, reduce acne, and neutralize free radicals! It is an excellent antioxidant for the overall health of the skin and allows the skin to regenerate faster so that it can also improve the signs of acne by reducing all types of scarring and pigmentation while increasing collagen and elastin for skin thickness and tightness.
What is retinol
- Retinol is really just another word for vitamin A. It is an extremely effective cell-communicating ingredient, meaning the substance can literally attach itself to almost every cell in the skin, and it “tells” the cells that they should behave like healthy, more young skin cells.
- Retinol is an antioxidant. This means it can stop the negative effects of harmful free radicals that make skin look and act like it was older. Retinol also helps fight wrinkles and stimulates collagen production.
- Retinol is effective for treating acne-prone skin, blemishes, and eczema. It reduces skin discoloration and smoothes wrinkles caused by the harmful effects of the Sun.
Types of retinoid for facial skin
Retinoids-also known as the generic term tretinoin or by brand names such as Retin-A or Differin and are only available with a medical prescription. When applied topically, it is taken directly into the skin cell without any conversion, making it a highly effective ingredient for treating lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and acne.
However, there is also a downside. This may irritate the skin. Redness, irritation and peeling of the skin are often observed. With time and dose adjustment, this usually subsides, but you will need to be careful and wear sunscreen.
When it comes to retinoids like tretinoin, many people believe that the following is true: If a little is good, more should be better . So right? No not really, a pea size amount for the whole face is all you need. If your skin continues to get irritated, then you really should consider taking a break or switching to a less irritating form of vitamin A.
RetinolThe alcohol form of vitamin A is an over-the-counter alternative. Many cosmeceutical skin care companies will choose to use retinol. The conversion to retinoic acid is a two-step process that inhibits effectiveness and while there may be some mild irritation initially, this usually subsides once the skin adjusts. This is a great alternative to retinoic acid for long term use.
Retinyl palmitateVitamin A ester is a combination of retinol and palmitic acid which, although converted to retinoic acid, goes a long way and by the time it is converted has lost most of its ability to make any difference in the cell’s DNA. You will need a high concentration of retinyl palmitate for it to be significantly effective, and most skin care brands that use retinyl palmitate as their only source of vitamin A rarely put enough in a cream or serum.
Unless retinyl palmitate is combined with other vitamin A derivatives, then simply adding it to the ingredients list is not enough if it appears so far down the list as to render it almost useless.
Vitamin A esters are a great introduction to more powerful forms and offer the skin the vitamin A it needs to protect the environment and skin health. When combined with other forms such as retinol serum, you will find that you have a very powerful vitamin arsenal And in your bathroom cabinet and hopefully on your face.
Application of retinol acetate for facial skin
Retinyl acetate is a milder—though still active—form of vitamin A and is much easier on the skin than some other forms. It is a form of vitamin A that is stored in the liver, so it is a much more stable version of the vitamin and is more bio-available.
Application of retinol palmitate for facial skin
Retinyl palmitate is a fatty source of vitamin A and is used as an antioxidant to nourish the skin. It is generally less irritating to the skin than Retinolic Acid. It is normally found in the skin in its natural form and is a much more stable version of vitamin A than most other forms.
The use of retinol for the skin of the face
Retinol is a very active, alcoholic form of vitamin A. As a result, it can be very effective, but can irritate the skin when overused or misused. Retinol is one of the animal forms of vitamin A. Some of the best sources of vitamin A are from eggs, liver, halibut and cod fish liver oil. It is generally accepted as the basic and very common form of vitamin A, and converted by the body, necessary for vision, healthy teeth, and for growing strong bones and skin.
Skin can become irritated with this version of vitamin A, so increase your benefit slowly. It is difficult to make a cream with retinol and keep it active. Vitamin A products are very sensitive to light, oxygen, and water, so packaging and ingredients must be taken extra into account to ensure an effective product. This is why Retinol products usually have a definite and limited shelf life.
Benefits of retinol for facial skin
Using retinol for wrinkles
Despite the many benefits of retinol, it is important to understand that there is no single ingredient that includes retinol that satisfies all the complex needs of the skin. Therefore, in addition to retinol, the following products are also required:
- Mild cleanser
- Product with alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid for exfoliation
- Serum and / or night cream with antioxidants, other cell-binding ingredients and skin-identical substances.
- Well formulated sun protection product
The use of retinol from enlarged pores
Topical application of retinol can improve pore function. Retinol cannot change your genetically determined pore size, but it can improve the texture of large pores created by clogs or sun damage, making them less visible.
The harm of retinol for the skin of the face
One of the reasons people can’t use the vitamin…
