It’s been over 75 years since retinol was first offered on a commercial basis to the public, and since then, dermatologists the world over have been singing its praises.
In an interview with Byrdie, dermatologist Maryann Mikhail outlined the essential nature of retinol in anyone’s skincare regimen: “I often tell patients that if they do nothing else, they should use retinol and sunscreen.”
If retinol truly is that fundamental to producing healthy skin on a day-to-day basis, it’s worth examining a bit further.
What Exactly Is Retinol?
According to Waccamaw Dermatology, retinol is a form of vitamin A, and typically refers to a retinoid form which is available for purchase over the counter (as opposed to requiring a prescription, as stronger retinoid forms might).
Typically found in skin creams, lotions, and serums, retinol is a foundational building block of overall skin health.
“Retinol is known to stimulate collagen production to strengthen the foundation of the skin. At the same time, it enhances cell turnover to prevent buildup of dead cells on the skin surface and give your skin a dewy complexion,” said Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, to Prevention.
What Skin Issues or Problems Can Retinol Help Treat?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the benefits of retinol treatment extend to many common conditions, including:
- Acne or acne scars
- Clogged pores
- Hyperpigmentation
- Melasma
- Psoriasis
- Stretch marks
- Wrinkles
“As we age, there is a decline in the natural production of collagen and elastic fibers that give your skin lift and bounce in the epidermis. That makes our skin more frail and thin, which leads to wrinkles, sun spots and other types of visible skin damage,” said Stanford dermatologist Zakia Rahman, via the Stanford Medical blog.
“Retinoids help mitigate those issues in a variety of ways. They thicken the epidermis through increased cell proliferation at the top level. They increase the production of natural chemicals (such as hyaluronic acid) in your skin that keep it plump and moist. They stimulate collagen production and inhibit the breakdown of collagen that already exists. They also block several inflammatory pathways that exacerbate pimples and acne,” she added.
Sentè’s Even Tone Retinol Cream
Given that retinol is a key ingredient in fighting acne and producing more youthful and healthy skin, it should come as no surprise that we’ve zeroed in on a few of our products which include this form of Vitamin A – namely Sentè’s Even Tone Retinol Cream.
The advantage of our Even Tone Retinol Cream is that it provides a potent retinol solution (0.5% pure encapsulated retinol) to support skin turnover which, in turn, produces smoother-looking skin. Our patented heparan sulfate analog (HSA) repairing molecule works alongside retinol to boost the skin’s immune response to inflammation. Finally, the inclusion of ceramides keep the skin moisturized and helps boost healthy skin barrier function.
The results of a clinical product testing study speak for themselves: “77% of subject agreed their overall skin evenness and smoothness improved after 2 weeks. 77% of subjects showed improvement in appearance of hyperpigmentation after 8 weeks,” when using the Even Tone Retinol Cream.
The Bottom Line
With so many of the experts in agreement that retinol should absolutely be part of your daily skincare routine, it would be wise to consider incorporating it.
It is worth noting, however, that if you have never used a retinol product before, begin by limiting use to twice a week, gradually increasing frequency to every other night, and then advancing to each evening or as tolerated. If prolonged irritation occurs, consult your physician.
