Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is commonly used to treat acne and reduce wrinkles. It is one of many types of retinoids—the general term used for all vitamin A derivatives.

Retinoids have different powers and are known by different names, but Retinol is the most common type.

Retinol is weaker than most retinoids and is usually added to over-the-counter products.They are readily available and do not require a prescription, unlike the more powerful forms of retinoids.

Here’s what you need to know about how retinol works and the benefits it can bring to your skin.

How does retinol work?

Retinol works by stimulating the skin cells in the outermost layer of the skin to transform morequickly, allowing new skin cells to be produced. This results in smoother and more even skin.

It increases the production of natural chemicals such as hyaluronic acid in the skin.

These chemicals help keep the skin moist and plump. Retinol also increases collagen production and prevents the breakdown of existing collagen.

Retinol does not become biologically active until it is converted to retinoic acid once it is in the skin.

Benefits of Retinol

Applying vitamin A topically in the form of retinol can provide the following benefits:

• It prevents the formation of wrinkles thanks to its minimizing effect, and also smoothes existing fine lines and wrinkles.
• Brightens dull skin by exfoliating at the cellular level resulting in brighter and smoother new skin.
• Regulates oily skin and minimizes blemishes.
• Dark age spots, sun spots and discoloration fade away, and the complexion evens out over time.

It improves the fight against acne

According to astudypublished in the Journal of Clinical Dermatology and Therapy, clinical data from thousands of people shows that retinol is highly effective in treating inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne.

One way retinol can improve the appearance of acne is by encouraging cell replacement.

Acne develops when a combination of dead skin cells and oil builds up inside the hair follicles on your face. Thanks to retinol, these cells are removed and replaced faster.

Anti-aging treatment

Retinol works against aging in three main ways:

• It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• It helps with sun damage.
• removes dark stains.

Collagen is a protein produced by our body that makes our skin look smooth. Wrinkles and fine lines are caused by decreased collagen production.

This helps to improve the appearance of wrinkles by thickening the inner layer of skin.

Helps with sun damage and dark spotsby stimulating the renewal of skin cells, allowing it to get rid of discolored skin cells.

Retinol makes you more susceptible to sun damage.Therefore, retinol products should only be used at night, along with a broad-spectrum sunscreen cream each morning, even when you are indoors.

A 2000 study, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, examined the effects of retinol use on aging skin in 53 participants aged 80 or older.

Researchers observed that the use of retinol for 7 days led to a reduction in collagen breakdown and an increase in collagen production.They concluded that this showed that retinol should be effective as an anti-aging therapy.

It can help with sunspots, fine lines, and wrinkles, but it’s something you should use for years to stay on top of your anti-aging regimen. It can take three to six months for wrinkles to improve with regular use.

Brightens dull skin

Retinol also helps lighten dull skin.

Dull skin can be caused by several factors, including pregnancy, stress, sun damage, poor lifestyle habits such as smoking and drinking too much alcohol, or environmental pollution.

Retinol has a calming effect on skin cells that produce melanin, the dark pigment. These cells are responsible for skin conditions such as chloasma, which causes discoloration of the skin.

Retinol causes skin cells to turn around, making the skin healthier and lighter in appearance.

A 2016 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology looked at the effect of a product containing 0.5% retinol on 25 people with mild to moderate hyperpigmentation.

While mild peeling and redness appeared at the start of the study, participants did not report burning, itching, dryness, or tingling until week 10.

How to use retinol

Here’s how to add retinol to your skin care routine:

• Wash your face with a mild cleanser
• When your skin is dry, apply a pea-sized amount of retinol preparation to your face
• After applying retinol, use a light moisturizing cream to prevent drying out
• Treatments with retinol should only be used at night, and the next day, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Retinol side effects

Because retinol is such a potent ingredient, it can cause reddening or peeling of the skinif it’s included in your skin care regimen too soon or too often.

Flaking, dryness, and even some blemishes can occur when retinol is first added to your routine. Usually it takes some time to adjust the skin.

Start slowly by adding it to your daily routine one or two times a week for the first week and gradually increase it from there, depending on your skin reaction.

When using a cream or serum with retinol, let it absorb into the skin for 20 to 30 minutes before applying another product on top.

It is also necessary to use sunscreen daily to protect the skin while using retinol, as it may become more sensitive to the sun.