I think it's safe to say that we all worry endlessly about getting older. Maybe worry is an understatement... One of the most popular ways to combat wrinkles is Retinol. There are creams, serums, treatments, all kinds of products that have the addition of some type of Retinol. But, is it doing more harm than god to have this harsh ingredient in your routine??
First, let's talk about what Retinol is. Retinol is basically Vitamin A. You actually need Vitamin A in your body for good organ health, especially your eyes, skin, and human development. What happens is Vitamin A is converted into Retinal (a chemical that allows microorganisms to convert light into metabolic energy) and Retinoic Acid (helps guide growth and development in living organisms). Both of these derivatives play an important role in how your skin and body develop. Too much Vitamin A can cause liver issues and severely dehydrated skin. It can also cause harm to infants during gestation.
I'm going to stop myself before I get too caught up in the science and lose you! So let's talk about why you would want to use Retinol on your skin.
There are different ways Retinol presents itself in consumer products. The following are the most popular:
Tretinoin
Retin-A
Renova
Differin
Tazorac
*used as an additive in popular over-the-counter creams such as Neutrogena, Roc, and Dermalogica
The most popular reason why dermatologists recommend Retinol is because it slows down the breaking-down process of collagen. If you didn't know, your body has so much collagen when you develop. As you get older, your body breaks it down and you lose it. Contrary to popular belief, you can't put more collagen in your skin after it's gone, but you CAN slow it down. Retinol also promotes rapid cell turnover so you constantly have a new layer of skin. This also means, that you have a stronger lower level of skin where wrinkles form. Thus, wrinkles have trouble forming.
I want to point that if you already have deep lines in your skin, you're not going to see them disappear with the addition of a retinol. Retinol, when used for wrinkles, is more of a preventative step as opposed to a means to eliminate unwanted lines. That's why dermatologists are going to recommend starting retinol at the first sign of aging.
On top of line prevention, Retinol is also very beneficial to acne-prone skin. The rapid cell-turnover that Retinol creates creates a scenario on the skin where dead skin cells are unable to clog and congest pores. Retinol also slows oil production in the skin meaning there is less congestion and inflammation in the skin. Essentially, Retinol creates a clean canvas for the skin so that you can treat it with medicated creams and steroids to completely kill the bacteria.
It's important, when using a Retinol product, to consult a professional about the best way to care for your skin. Retinol is a very harsh chemical and can cause a lot of damage if not used correctly. It is so important to remember that while you are using Retinol, you are cleansing a MOISTURIZING correctly! There is no such thing as too much moisture while using Retinol.
So is it worth it? In my professional opinion, Retinol is amazing for acne. I've seen some amazing results from products like Tazorac and Differin. But as for aging, I don't think it's worth it. If you have a good regimen and are caring for your skin properly, wrinkles won't form. What causes premature aging are things like sun exposure, smoking, drinking, lack of sleep, etc. Take care of your body. Eat right. Visit your Aesthetician regularly. And ask questions. Good skin is actually not too hard to come by.
Peace,
Megan
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