What You Need to Know About Retinol Skin Care Products

Retinol skin care products have been found to be effective for decreasing fine lines and wrinkles, for increasing the level of oils in the skin for people over 40 and to help improve the skin appearance for those with chronic cystic acne. they are of particular benefit for those who have aging, sensitive skin who may not be able to use other, harsher, products.

Some people have found that they experience flaky, dry, red or scaly skin when they use a glycolic acid peel or a chemical peel and for these people a much better choice would be a retinol cream applied daily.

Studies on Retinol Skin Care Products

More and more studies are finding that retinol does indeed have a beneficial effect on aging skin. A recent study at the University of Michigan tested retinol lotions on thirty six elderly healthy people, most around eighty years of age. Over the course of six months they applied the lotion to an area on their upper arms. Skin biopsies at the end of the trial showed significant reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. In a quote from the research article by Sewon Kang, MD stated that “The before-and-after skin biopsies show that retinol treatment boosted structural components in the elders' skin.” If this can work for the skin of an eighty year old then it can certainly help much younger skin to regain or retain a youthful appearance! the effect however is not permanent as eleven of the subjects noticed that their skin had started to returned to its former condition after a further six months without treatment by retinol.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is another name for vitamin A and is one of a group of chemicals known as retinoids. This group of compounds also contains tretinoin which is found in prescription only creams and lotions and is much stronger than retinol. All of these compounds are very small, so small in fact that they can penetrate the upper skin layers to reach the elastin and collagen that support the skin from below. Vitamin A is a vital component of elastin and collagen. Over time environmental damage occurs to these structures resulting in less support for the skin and hence lines and wrinkles. Retinoids, once they have penetrated to this layer can then set about repairing them resulting in a smoother, more elastic skin skin and reduced lines.

Retinol Use in the Treatment of Acne

Retinol skin care products are excellent exfoliating agents and they also efficiently unclog the pores. This makes them good products to use if you have acne.

Retinol for Dry Skin

Retinol skin care products are excellent for the treatment of very dry skin as they moisturise the skin efficiently.

Are There Any Side Effects?

when first using a retinol skin care product you may notice some mild irritation, redness, stinging or itching. This is usually very temporary and is normal. Only if it persists do you need to stop using the product.

Retinol Increases Sun Sensitivity

Retinol skin care products are best used in the evening or before bed. They do make the skin slightly more sensitive to the sun so if you do use them during the day be sure to always use a sun screen as well.