Retinol is a form of vitamin A or, more specifically, a type of retinoid which is derived from vitamin A. Vitamin A is already well-known in the skin care realm. Vitamin A is essential to cell division, meaning it helps move along new cell growth for regenerative purposes. Retinol is one of the most active forms of the vitamin A, basically meaning it’s vitamin A levelled up.
HOW DOES RETINOL WORK?
Retinol has the inherent capability to increase epidermal thickness, or thickness of the topmost layer of your skin. It targets stress-induced oxidative damage which can cause the formation of wrinkles and sagging skin, reversing both on the surface level in order to help you maintain a youthful skin look. retinol has a significant anti-aging effect on the skin, making it one of the few skin care ingredients that can help combat a large variety of skin issues, including acne and acne scarring.
WHO SHOULD USE RETINOL?
Retinol is a dermatologist-approved ingredient to incorporate into your skin care regimen as early as your 20s.
If you’re a beginner, and your skin has yet to be ‘retinized’, you’ll want to start off with a lower concentration and frequency and slowly work your way up to build your skin’s tolerance to the powerful ingredient. Use the product only twice a week, gradually increasing the frequency to every other night, and finally once a night, as tolerated. Keep in mind, retinol is photosensitive and breaks down in UV light, so it should ONLY be applied at nighttime. Retinol makes skin sensitive to sunlight. So it’s extremely important to layer on that broad-spectrum sunscreen each and every morning, rain or shine, and take other sun protection measures.