All the skin-enthusiastic out there must have heard about Retinol or Retin A! There are many controversies regarding these ingredients…. some love it, some advices to steer clear of it. Today’s article is one of the many articles which are yet to come on my blog. It’s the basic introduction to Retinol and Retin A.
PLEASE CONSULT A DERMATOLIGIST BEFORE USING RETINOL & RETIN-A PRODUCTS!!
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| Retinol & Retin A: Myth or Miracle? |
There are countless products on the market that promise to make us look younger and more vibrant, and choosing from these can often be difficult when they all seem to offer such tempting benefits!
Unfortunately the vast majority of them are pretty much destined to let you down – while they sound great on paper and perhaps even work in theory, none of them is going to make you look younger over night.
But while there’s a lot out there that doesn’t do much, there is one ingredient that actually will have an effect (even if it’s still not overnight). With Retinol, the problem is not that it doesn’t work noticeably, but rather that it may be a little too affective for some people to want to mess with. Let’s take a closer look at what retinol is and whether or not it’s a good idea.
What is Retinol and Retin-A?
- Retinol and Retin-A are both compounds that come from the Vitamin A family. Retin-A is the prescription form and is a little more powerful but also has more side effects. Retinol meanwhile can take longer for effects to be noticeable but is less likely to cause problems or irritation.
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| Various products containing Retinol and Retin A, available in market. |
- Both of these ingredients are used in a number of skin products with the intended benefit of smoothing out skin tone and texture and removing fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol and Retin A products increase cell turnover in the top layer of skin, so it makes skin look better.
- It is recommended that only those who are 30 years old or older try using retinol or retin-A but probably not really necessary until you reach your 40s.
- There are various guidelines to follow to make sure you get the best results too and minimise negative effects. Retinol should not be used every day, but ideally every other night. It’s also better to use this at night, not at day time.
- Retinol/ Retin-A products make the skin sensitive to sunlight, so it’s a MUST that you use a sunscreen while using these products.
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| Over the counter Retin A cream & gel products. |
Pros and Cons
- The main pro of retinol and retin-A is obvious that they work in a much more immediate and noticeable manner than most other skin-care products when it comes to combatting aging. Normally you’ll see benefits within one to eight weeks.
- On the downside, as one of the more effective treatments retinol-containing creams tend to be a little more expensive than many others which is a consideration for many people.
- More importantly though, retinol is also much more likely to cause irritation than more mild treatments and has to be applied gradually and in small quantities as a result.
- Retinoids work by exfoliating the skin and were originally designed as treatments for acne. Thus they can be quite aggressive and may cause peeling, flaking, reddening and dryness in the skin.
It all depends on the concentration or strength of the product. - Those with rosacea or eczema should avoid retinoids, and if you’re young then there’s probably no reason to go this severe in your skin regime yet. If you’re under thirty then avoid the retinol try some spa packages instead. They’re much more relaxing and enjoyable…
Do you use Retinol-based products? What are your experience? Share with us!
Today’s guest author, Karen Fernandes, is a fitness enthusiast who often writes on topics related to health and wellness online. Her hobbies include gardening and photography. You can follow her on Twitter for more information.
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