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Why Retinol For Skin Care?

 

WHY RETINOL FOR SKIN CARE?


When it comes to skincare, retinol (ROL) is often hailed as a miracle worker, slowing down the aging process and even tackling stubborn acne. But what exactly is this wonder ingredient? 

Retinol is a form of vitamin A, derived from the dietary breakdown of beta-carotene. When we munch on vibrant fruits and veggies—think red, orange, yellow, and dark green—our bodies transform these colorful delights into various retinoids.

Vitamin A isn’t just a one-trick pony; it’s essential for maintaining healthy teeth, bones, mucous membranes, skin, and soft tissues. However, before you rush to stock up on vitamin A supplements, remember that more isn’t always better. Excessive intake can be harmful and may even increase your cancer risk, so it’s best to stick to your physician’s advice.

Retinoids in cosmetics, like creams and moisturizers, often come as retinyl acetate, retinyl propionate, or retinyl palmitate. It’s crucial to remember that these topical retinoids can cause dryness, redness, burning, and irritation. That’s why they’re best applied at night, followed by a rich moisturizer.

Research shows that topically applied retinoids are well-absorbed, leading to changes in both the dermal and epidermal layers. They’re particularly beneficial for aging and sun-damaged skin. 

For fine lines and wrinkles, retinoids boost collagen production, increasing dermal thickness and reducing their appearance. Significant improvements can be seen after two months of use, though some benefits may appear within a few weeks.

The FDA has approved two synthetic retinoids, adapalene and tazarotene, for acne treatment. These are prescription-only. Tazarotene (Avage) is also prescribed for fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation issues. While effective, synthetic retinoids can be very irritating to the skin.

Cosmetically-formulated retinol can be quite unstable, with its effectiveness affected by packaging, shelf life, and usage time. 

But here’s the silver lining: The growing interest in natural and organic skincare has led to exciting alternatives, like Vigna Aconitifolia Extract (VAE). 

Derived from the South Asian herb Vigna Aconitifolia, or Moth Bean, VAE boosts cellular renewal much like retinol but without irritation. It’s also highly stable and packed with antioxidants and fatty acids that protect the skin and enhance its texture and appearance.

Curious about trying a retinol alternative? Check out Dr. Em Natural Beauty’s day and night moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and Vigna Aconitifolia Extract. EM28 moisturizer is loaded with antioxidants and nutrient-rich ingredients to significantly improve skin texture and complexion while smoothing fine lines. Visit www.dremnatural.com and search for “EM28”.

                                                   
Stay Young. Stay 28 with EM28
  


As always, "Love your skin and it will love you back".   

Much love,

Dr. Em

 

Links for further reading:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/do-retinoids-really-reduce-wrinkles

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5136519/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/retinoid

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinol


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