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What is Retinol?

Are you wondering What is Retinol? Retinol is vitamin A, it is the entire vitamin A molecule. Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant that is essential for healthy skin, bones and vision. Retinol is one of the few items that has been shown (through extensive research) to have a positive impact on the condition of the skin. The reason that it does effect the skin is because the skin has vitamin A receptors, so it is able to absorb and use it when applied to the skin. When it is taken into the skin, retinol stimulates the production of collagen which improves the structure of the skin. It will improve the appearance of the skin by making it softer and smoother. By improving the skin structure, it will also diminish fine lines and wrinkles and lessen any sun damage as well as making the pores less visible.

Some skin care products use the entire vitamin A molecule (retinol), other use only part of it. The active ingredient in Retin-A (prescription strength retinol) is retinoic acid, which is just one of the many components of retinol, or a vitamin A molecule. Other forms of retinol are retinyl palmitate, retinal and retinoic acid.

Cosmetic (over-the-counter) retinol products can be beneficial for people who don’t need or can’t tolerate the prescription strength versions of Retin-A or Renova.

How Retinol Works:

The molecular structure of vitamin A is small enough to get into the collagen and elastin in the lower layers of the skin. Retinol is broken down into retinoic acid and it “tells” the cells to behave normally (not like damaged or wrinkled cells). This increases the production of new cells and collagen. The results are decreases in mottled pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and improvements in skin texture, skin tone and color, and moisture levels. The exfoliation effects are also beneficial for treating acne.

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