The Benefits of Retinol in Wrinkle Creams

With more and more skin care products using retinol in their ingredients, it is important to take a closer look at this anti-aging super power and better understand the benefits it can provide in the battle against wrinkles.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is the purest and most active form of vitamin A, the vitamin most responsible for the appearance of our skin. Retinol is the whole molecule version of the vitamin. When it is absorbed into the skin, the skin cells break down the molecule into smaller components. These thousands of broken down components work together with skin cells to encourage normal cell renewal.

Recently, over the past several years, more forms of retinol have hit the market, and have proven their efficiency. Retinol has been shown to act as an antioxidant, a mild exfoliant, and as an assistant to skin cells in their regrowth process.

The Differences between Retinols

There are several different forms of retinol on the market. Your dermatologist may have recommended products with ingredients such as Retin-A or Renova. These ingredients are based on a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, called retinoic acid. They can only be prescribed by a doctor. Retinol, on the other hand, is a natural form of vitamin A, and can be obtained over the counter.

Products that use Retinol

Retinol can be seen in a wide range of different skin care products. For example, retinol is used to treat acne because it acts as a natural exfoliant which helps to unclog dirt and bacteria from pores, and heals acne scars. Another use of retinol is in lip treatments, for the purpose of reversing thin, cracked and dry lips. Retinol is also used to treat the eyes and hands. Regular use has shown that it can rejuvenate the fine, delicate skin around the eyes as well as smooth and heal dry, chapped hands.

Specific Benefits of Retinol for Wrinkles

As we age, our skin cells do not regenerate as they regularly would. Instead, skin cells start to become misshapen and altered during the aging process. Because retinol encourages normal cell renewal, the effects of aging are reversed. Wrinkles become smoother and skin becomes more moisturized and elastic again. Retinol encourages a natural skin glow that comes about from rejuvenated cells. It has also been shown to stimulate the production of collagen, which is can be a vital factor in the anti-aging process.

The benefits of retinol for fighting wrinkles is clear. Combined with the natural moisturizing and conditioning element of wrinkle creams, retinol can add the necessary vitamin to work underneath on the cellular level to promote a smoothness and elasticity that creates youthful skin.