Over the last few years, I am sure you have noticed that many people on social media have been going crazy over retinol… but is it really worth the hype?
Whether you have added retinol to your skincare routine, or are wondering if it’s actually worth the investment, I am here to tell you that retinol is here, and here to stay!
To get a better understanding of retinol and what it can do for your skin, we will go over the following questions:
What is retinol?
What are its benefits?
Is it truly worth the investment?
Where can you find quality retinol products?
What is retinol?
Despite influencers making it seem like a magic ingredient that appeared out of nowhere, retinol is actually a form of Vitamin A. An essential vitamin that we get from our diet, that is known to help with a variety of things in the human body such as vision, growth, cell division, and cell reproduction. Therefore, although the term “retinol” may be new to you, the term has been known in medical dermatology, and by skin care physicians such as Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, for decades on end.
What are the benefits of retinol?
So you now understand that retinol is a form of Vitamin A, but what does that mean for your skin?
As you may or may not know, your skin’s health relies heavily on your body’s ability to produce enough collagen and elastin- two proteins found in connective tissues (including the skin), that aid in repairing and maintaining your tissue’s structure.
Starting at teenagehood, and moving into adulthood, our skin’s elastin and collagen production start to decrease. This paired with all the conditions your face endured throughout your life such as acne breakouts, sun exposure, and gravity pulling you down, is why so many of us experience aging skin in the form of wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skin tone, and even sagging.
Since retinol (Vitamin A)is known to increase cell reproduction, and for your skin’s sake, your cell turnover rate, researchers, doctors, and even your favourite social media influencers have been turning to retinol (Vitamin A) skincare products for anti-aging. But it doesn’t end there. In fact, beyond its ability to seemingly reverse signs of aging, retinol is also known to help in a variety of skin conditions that can benefit from quicker cell turnaround time and collagen production (such as hyperpigmentation, acne, and unwanted texture).
Is retinol worth the investment?
If you are struggling with anything from fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, or even acne, adding retinol to your skincare routine can be extremely helpful to rejuvenate your skin, as it will speed up skin cell reproduction, and increase collagen production to treated areas.
Therefore if you are looking to:
- Improve skin texture
- Tighten or reduce wrinkles
- Even out your skin tone
- Diminish the appearance of acne scars
Retinol can be a great place to start!
Where to find quality products rich in retinol?
When it comes to introducing retinol to your skincare routine, it’s important to note that the strength and amount of retinol present in your skincare products can make or break its benefits. If the amount of retinol is too high, or, if you are combining a variety of skincare items that have retinol in them, this could actually cause harm to your skin.
The safest way to start on your retinol skincare journey is to consult with a skin care physician, such as Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, as she can direct you to the medical grade retinol products for your specific needs.
If you are ready to invest in a medical dermatology-approved skincare routine that is catered to you and your retinol needs, CLICK HERE to take the skincare quiz, and to see what products award-winning skin care physician, Dr. Shehla Ebrahim recommends for you.