Retinol, presumably everyone is familiar with it, knows that it is an important anti-aging ingredient.
So, what kind of ingredient is retinol, what are its other effects besides anti-aging, and who is it suitable for?
What is retinol?
Retinol is also called vitamin A or "vitamin A alcohol".
It is a fat-soluble alcohol substance that has the function of regulating the metabolism of the epidermis and stratum corneum. It can resist aging, reduce seborrhea, dilute epidermal pigments, and protect the epidermal mucosa from bacterial invasion.
Our body's iron metabolism, eyes, immune system and mucous membranes all benefit from this vital substance.
If vitamin A is deficient, eye symptoms such as vision loss, dry and keratinized skin, decreased immunity, and anemia will appear.
Not just for our bodies, vitamin A is also good for our skin.
What’s so “magical” about retinol?
Currently, retinol is considered one of the most tried-and-true ingredients in face and body care.
Whether used as an anti-aging or beauty ingredient, this vitamin A provides many skin benefits, such as:
Anti-oxidation
Due to its antioxidant effects, retinol fights skin aging and reduces skin discoloration and wrinkles caused by the sun.
However, retinol does not protect the skin from sunburn and can actually make the skin more sensitive to light.
Therefore, if you don’t want to darken, when using retinol products, you must be careful not to use them during the day and use sun protection.
Promotes collagen synthesis
Retinol is a substance that promotes the production of skin collagen, promotes cell growth, and makes the structure more stable, thereby reducing the depth of wrinkles and making the skin look smoother, tighter, and radiant.
Make skin more delicate and smooth
Retinol can also improve the condition of our skin by affecting the way our pores work. The size of our skin pores is largely determined by genetic factors.Retinol can improve the structure of pores, exfoliate, and prevent pores from being clogged, making the skin more delicate and smooth.
Inhibit melanin production
In addition, retinol can also inhibit the production of melanin, brighten skin tone, and also have a certain effect on pigment spots. After using it for a period of time, you can see the pigment spots fade.
Who is retinol suitable for?
Retinol is good, but not all people and all skin types are suitable.
Using retinol need to build tolerance
If you haven't used a product that contains retinol before, it may take some time for your skin to adjust to the new product. When you start trying, you should pay attention to observe the tolerance of the skin. If the skin becomes red and peels off, it is intolerance.
In the face of intolerance, we can adopt a small amount and many times to slowly add retinol products into the skin care routine. For example, start with one retinol product, or mix it with other products and use it step by step.
If skin irritation persists after a week of use, stop using retinol products immediately!
Recommended for those with oily acne-prone skin and enlarged pores
Retinol won't prevent breakouts, but it works on acne-prone skin to make it more even and smooth. People with oily skin and large pores can try it.
Sun protection
As mentioned above, the ingredient retinol is very sensitive to light, so it is recommended to use retinol-based products at night. If you must use it during the day, be sure to do a good job of sun protection.
Proper storage is key
Retinol is good, but the ingredient itself is unstable. When exposed to sunlight and air, retinol will deteriorate and lose its activity. Therefore, everyone should pay attention to avoiding light when storing the product, and tighten the bottle cap tightly.
Effective when used with other ingredients
Plus, while retinol is powerful, it's not a panacea.
Everyone still needs to combine skin care products containing different ingredients according to the nature and condition of their skin, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, astaxanthin, hyaluronic acid, etc., to double the skin care effect and make the skin more stable and in better condition!
Pregnant women please avoid retinol!
Retinol or retinoids belong to the vitamin A family. Although they are excellent in the field of skin health, they also pose risks to the fetus in the mother's belly.
So, if you're planning to become pregnant, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to avoid retinol-based skin care products.
Post time: Sep-06-2023