Retinol, a grow old in style wrinkle-buster
An anti-ageing powerhouse, retinol knows how to slow down the clock. It's a sure-fire, wrinkle-zapping ingredient. Here's a closer look...
Retinol, from dermatologists to anti-wrinkle creams
What gets dermatologists all worked up? Vitamin A, a well-known anti-wrinkle active ingredient. The problem is that it can cause irritations and isn't ideally suited to skin. Which is why researchers set off to find a skin-friendly derivative of this powerful vitamin and came up with retinol. It's kinder to skin and doesn't need to be prescribed by a doctor. Hence it's meteoric rise in the anti-wrinkle industry.
Retinol, an anti-ageing Holy Grail
So, what's the big deal? Retinol is an anti-ageing powerhouse. It thickens the epidermis, helps cell differentiation, regulates keratinisation, prevents the breakdown of collagen and elastin and increases cutaneous vitamin A levels, so that we reap the benefits of its anti-ageing properties. In simpler terms, retinol leaves us with skin that's: - smoother, - softer, - radiant and even-toned.
Retinol-based treatments are best applied at night
Retinol is the nightingale of the anti-ageing world. Why? To avoid any problems caused by photosensitisation. By boosting cell renewal, retinol leaves our skin susceptible to UV damage. Which is why retinol-based treatments are a great winter-time option. If you apply an anti-wrinkle cream that contains retinol in the morning, follow it with a cream that contains an SPF 30.Retinol is a slowly but surely anti-wrinkle ingredient. Retinol works best over time, as our skin needs to adjust to its presence. Scientists refer to this as 'cellular memory'.Start by applying your retinol cream two nights a week. If your skin reddens, leave a longer gap between each application. If all goes well, move up to 3 times a week.But even if you have a slight flare-up, don't panic! If your retinol cream causes a tiny reaction, it means that it's doing it's job. It's just getting to work on your lines and wrinkles!
Can I use retinol on sensitive skin?
Back in the day, retinol was known to irritate skin, but formulae have since been re-jigged. Advances in the skincare world have allowed researchers and labs to come up with retinol-based creams suited to all skin types. So even if your skin is ultra-sensitive, you'll still find a suitable retinol anti-ageing cream. This is because the retinol used is slowly released, meaning it won't saturate and subsequently irritate skin.
