Is Retinol Good for Your Skin?

By: Craig Elliott


These days, whether you have wrinkles or you are certain that you will get them in the near future, it is hard to ignore the hundreds of new anti aging products on the market. With retinol and AHAs, BHAs and vitamins, it's hard to tell which products are actually going to work and which ones are will not. While a lot of the success rate depends on the unique qualities of your skin, there are scientific studies that have shed light some of the more popular skin treatments.

What is Retinol?

At first glance, retinol seems like an ideal skin product. Derived from Vitamin A, this skin care ingredient is a natural part of the skin and can help to restore the diminishing levels of this vitamin as you age. Touted as being able to smooth out your skin's texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines, this skin care ingredient is in everything these days - from lotions and serums to overnight creams and even some makeup foundations. But is this skin ingredient as good as it sounds?

The Issues with Retinol

The main concern with retinol is that it is derived from Vitamin A, which is a very potent vitamin to have in your body. If you look at studies done about Vitamin A, you will notice that it is not to be taken in high doses because it can cause permanent damage to the brain - if taken orally. But there are studies now that are indicating that you might not want to apply this topically as it can cause skin damage as well.

Retinol is a very powerful ingredient. When used on sensitive skin or used too often, it can begin to harm the texture of your skin, causing it to look weathered. Because it can strip the layers of the skin, those newly exposed layers are now going to be subjected to the dangers of the surrounding environment, causing it to age prematurely.

There is also some concern that applying this skin care cream will add to the vitamin A stores in your body. In doing so, you might be building up this toxic vitamin in your nervous system, causing long term damage. If you are carrying a baby during a pregnancy, these higher levels of Vitamin A might be causing your baby to have a higher risk of birth defects and developmental delays.

The further exposure of the skin with the use of retinol can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which can increase your risk of skin cancer. If you're not applying sunscreen religiously after using retinol products, you might be speeding up the sun damage that you already have on your skin as well as leaving your skin exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays.

What Really Works

If you're concerned about these harmful effects of retinol, you may consider nourishing your skin from the inside instead of trying to apply vitamins to the outside. By eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough rest, you will be able to create a youthful glow to your skin without having to have a ten step skincare routine.

You should also find a sunscreen that you can apply to your skin everyday, helping to prevent any further aging signs.

While retinol is still one of the most recommended anti aging products on the market, you need to carefully consider the possible side effects before you begin your routine.


About Author:
Craig Elliott is a writer for Lane Labs. Lane Labs is a leading provider of Skin Care Products