Retinol creams are a source of Vitamin A, providing many benefits for helping to keep the skin healthy, glowing and youthful.
As we get older, our skin cell turnover gets lazy and slows down. This leads to dull, tired and rough skin due to the build up of dead cells. Dead cell build up can also lead to enlarged, blocked pores and therefore increased chance of acne.
Sun exposure accounts for at least 80% of the ageing process on our skin and this can result in fine lines and wrinkles, tiny broken veins (telangiectasia) as well as age spots and areas of hyperpigmentation.
Another natural ageing process is the reduction in collagen and elastin. This is exacerbated by excess sun exposure as the ultraviolet radiation causes breakdown of collagen and elastin at a higher rate than normal. This results in sagging, loose skin with wrinkles.
Retinol (Vitamin A) is an antioxidant that treats and protects the skin against anti-ageing. It works as an exfoliant to get rid of the dead skin cells allowing new healthy cells to refresh the skin complexion. This leads to brighter, smoother skin and with continued use, mild age spots, fine lines and hyperpigmentation will be improved. Retinols stimulate the production of collagen to help restore/maintain the firm tone of the skin. Retinols work on the sebaceous glands to help regulate sebum production and this helps reduce the occurrence of acne. Anyone with tiny broken spider veins (telangiectasia) will also notice this is improved with continued use.
Don’t expect instant results. Your skin renewal is a journey that takes time and commitment, but the results are definitely worth it!
How retinols work :
Delivers Vitamin A antioxidant to help treat and protect against skin ageing
Encourages new cell turnover for smoother, brighter skin
Enhances collagen production
Regulates oil, helping reduce acne breakouts
Helps reduce pore size
Helps normalise keratinisation, accelerating skin renewal
Retinoids/Retinols come in different forms/strengths
Retinols are less potent than retinoids and are available to purchase from your aesthetic practitioner or over the counter at chemists. Retinol is gradually released and converted in the skin to retinoic acid before becoming active.
Tretinoin on the other hand, is the prescription drug form of retinol. Because it is pure retinoic acid and does not need conversion in the skin, it is 20 times stronger, leading to a faster and more dramatic improvement in the skin.
It’s important to start slowly (low dose and 1-2 x weekly) and build up tolerance to the retinol therefore minimising the inevitable but temporary irritation to your skin. The aim for maintenance dose is to use a retinol at least 3 x weekly. Some may choose/tolerate its use every night. Retinols should be used at night, applying onto clean skin. Make sure your skin is dry before applying as damp skin with retinol added will lead to increased irritation. Allow 15-20 minutes for it to be fully absorbed before then applying further products, such as night moisturiser.
It’s important to wear a good SPF, minimum factor 30, when using retinol/retionid creams as they increase your sensitivity to the sun. We recommend Obagi Hydrate or Hydrate Luxe moisturisers along with Obagi Sunshield Tint/Matte SPF50 or Obagi Hydrafactor SPF30.
To find out more about how to get your skin and complexion glowing and looking its best, contact Angie, Aesthetic Nurse Prescriber, at info@luceoaesthetics.com to book your personal consultation.
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