What Is Retinol?
Retinol is a must-have multitasking anti-aging ingredient responsible for promoting cell turnover, supporting collagen production, to name a few benefits. It is also the buzziest (think social media and 'going viral') and most expert-recommended, proven active used in skincare products.
There are many derivatives of retinol found in topicals: retinoic acid, retinol, retinyl esters, and retinaldehyde. Retinoic acid is the most bioavailable retinoid while Retinol is the alcohol formulation of vitamin A and the version most commonly used in skin-care products. Retinol is less irritating than retinoic acid, but also less potent since it needs to convert into retinoic acid in skin. It is a very effective OTC version. Retinol esters are precursor molecules to retinol, and need to convert first into retinol and then into retinoic acid in skin – making them less potent than retinol. Retinaldehyde is the gentlest form, most stable and least potent form of Vitamin A.
What Does Retinol Do?
Retinol is a multi-purpose skincare ingredient proven in scientific literature to:
- Accelerate cell turnover, which results in smoother, vibrant looking skin.
- Help stimulate collagen production, which results in collagen-rich firmer skin appearance.
- Reduce discolorations, resulting in more even-toned, luminous complexion.
- Has anti-acne properties.
What Are the Benefits of Retinol?
Retinol, when formulated properly, addresses a broad range of skin-aging concerns:
- fine lines and wrinkles
- dull complexion
- discoloration
- acne
- large pores
- rough skin texture
What is the Difference Between Retinol, Retin-A and Retinoid?
Retinoids is a term describing all vitamin A-based topical products.
Retinol is a type of retinoid that can be purchased over the counter and is frequently featured in many cosmetic formulations.
Retin-A is a prescription synthetic retinoid that acts like retinoic acid.
Retinol as a Preventive Tool
It’s never too early or too late to start using skincare with Vitamin A because of Vitamin A’s capability to support the production of collagen within our skin.
Collagen is essential for plump, firm, youthful appearance. Our skin loses collagen while its production slows every day. By our mid-to-late 20s, the collagen levels in skin deplete by one percent each year, resulting in more pronounced signs of aging (fine lines, laxity, dullness).
Not only is Retinol beneficial at targeting the key signs of aging, but it is also helps prevent premature skin aging. We can see the benefits of regular Retinol use beginning in our 20s.
Retinol Application Tips:
Apply retinol on a cleansed, dry skin.
If you're new to retinol usage or have reactive skin, you may want to initially use a small amount of a retinol product 2 x a week or every other night to acclimate. Followed with a moisturizer to combat any potential irritation, dry skin, or flaking that might occur. Retinols should only be applied at nighttime.
Wear sunscreen daily while using a retinol.
SkincareEssentials Retinol Bestsellers
The SkincareEssentials portfolio of retinol-based creams and serums features the best in class formulations that have been approved by dermatologists and users alike.
The most potent retinol available on our site comes from Clinical Skin Retinol + Peptide Refining Serum 2.5. Featuring multi-tasking Vitamin A and its plant alternative bakuchiol, this serum helps reduce the visible signs of aging including fine lines and wrinkles and skin discoloration, while promoting cell turnover to achieve a more youthful-looking complexion. Bakuchiol enhances the benefits of Vitamin A, while natural hydrators kelp, bisabolol hyaluronic acid, vitamins and allantoin soothe skin. This is a higher strength retinol ideal for skin that has been previously introduced to lower-strength vitamin A products and derivatives. Board certified dermatologist, Dr. Karan Lal says “it is a one stop shop product, offering a comprehensive anti-aging solution targeting pigmentation, fine lines and texture without compromising the skin barrier.” You can’t go wrong with this one. A little goes along the way, the whole bottle should last you at least three months.
Retinol formulations are constantly evolving and are recently being enhanced with soothing, nourishing and hydrating ingredients to counteract potential discomfort and irritation associated with retinol usage. A great example of such formulation is Clinical Skin Retinol + AOX Renewal Cream.
This is a concentrated facial overnight cream with pure retinol that will help reduce visible signs of aging and reveal a smoother, more even complexion. It is formulated with retinol plus antioxidants, ceramides, enzymes, hyaluronic acids and soothing botanicals.
Recommended for first-time retinol users as introductory retinol. It is ideal for continued use or for conditioning skin as a prerequisite to Clinical Skin Retinol 2.5. Laura, from Texas signs its praises saying “I have seen remarkable results within just a few weeks: softer and smoother skin texture. And it worked on my sensitive skin. Take my word as an experienced 49 year old user.” Another customer said: “I found a mild yet potent retinol cream. This product applies smoothly and absorbs rapidly, leaving no adverse effects after use on skin with varying oiliness levels like mine. Highly recommended for those searching for gentle but effective results.”
An effective way to achieve healthy and youthful complexion is to make sure you are using the right retinol-based skincare products. Clinical Skin has you covered with two clinically studies solutions for people with all skin types.
