An Overview of Retinol Products

Beauty science has significantly improved the number of wrinkle treatments that are available over the last decade. One significant development is the use of retinol as an effective wrinkle reducer. Retinol is a naturally occurring compound found in foods and is more commonly known as vitamin A. When used as a retinoid and delivered in a cream these products have the ability to penetrate up to twenty layers of skin to provide cells with needed nutrients. These cells then have the materials needed to generated collagen which gives skin its plump and fuller look. In addition, retinol can increase the tightness of skin cells on the surface which has the effect of smoothing wrinkles and lines. Retinol can also lighten skin blemishes, reduce the color of red areas, help clear acne, and eliminate the dark circles under the yes. These retinol products are applied topically in the form of a facial cream or lotion.

You can find retinol in many foods and it is a substance that occurs in nature. It is most commonly called vitamin A, and belongs to a list of compounds known as retinoids. This group of elements contain a chemical that is called tretinoin, which is what is placed in the retinol products commercially available. Both the retinoids and tretinoin are molecularly very small, and this gives them the ability to slip beneath the layers of the skin up to almost twenty layers deep. The can work right through the though and elastic elastin and collagen layers of the skin to deliver nutrients right to the cells where it is needed. Your skin cells need a healthy supply of vitamin A to function properly and give you healthy and radiant looking skin. Once nourished, your skin cells can generate the structural materials needed to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

The vast majority of retinol products will be applied in the form of a cream or lotion. You want to pay attention to the retinol concentration of each product as they may affect how much it irritates your skin. Some products have special time release components in them that slowly release the retinol to your skin, and help to diminish the harshness of the product. Also pay attention to the shelf life of the products as the effectiveness of retinol can be dependent on how fresh it is. Some products are only made to treat certain parts of your face like eye lids, underneath the eyes, or around the mouth. There are also products that are designed to only treat specific conditions like acne redness, dark circles under the eyes, or fine lines and wrinkles.

While retinol based products are highly effective, there are a few concerns that you need to be aware of. Retinol can be highly irritating to the skin of some women. When you apply these products you will feel a slight burning feeling which diminishes with time. If you find that it does not go away, you need to find a retinol product with a lower concentration until your skin can adjust to it. You also need to be aware that using retinol makes you skin more sensitive to UV rays from sunlight. You should be using a small protection factor sunscreen when you go outside and you are using your retinol products. Also be aware that retinol is highly caustic to the mucous membrane of your eyes and nose, so be careful with the application.