Retinol’s effectiveness and why it is a fundamental component in your skin care regimen.
One thing that the aging process does to our skin, it slows down the cells mitotic turnover rate. This means that the skins’ natural exfoliation process gets lazy. This turnover process allows for the regularity of skin cells, the normalcy of new cells, and the shedding of damaged skin cells. So this is why when you go to the dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or you skincare specialist’s office you will probably leave with some form of Vitamin A. The prescription retinoid form’s are common names: Retin-A, Retin-A Micro, Renova, Atralin, Avita), adapalene (Differin). tazarotene (Avage, Tazorac). The cosmeceutical companies now have at least one of their products containing retinol. Retinol, is the most useful form of vitamin A, alongside retinal and retinoic acid.
For almost 2 decades, I have offered many different skin care lines that contain retinol and the Green Cream®, by Advanced Skin Technologies, has had the highest return in customer satisfaction. The primary focus for this company is their retinol, not 30 different products. Their unique Green Polymer Cooling Gel™, allows Green Cream to carry one of the highest concentrations of retinol available over the counter (OTC). The water-based patented formulation reduces irritation while improving the effectiveness of retinol. . I get to witness firsthand the results that my clients obtain with the regular usage of products that contain Vitamin A. If you said to me “what is the most important product for my skin”, I would send you on your way with Vitamin A. Everyone’s tolerance level is customized. You do not have to use it every day for efficacy. What works for best friend may not be the best thing for your skin. Slowly integrate a Vitamin A product into your skin care regime and see what your skin prefers. If your skin likes 3 days a week, than do just that. If it can only tolerate one application a week, one is better than none. Some of my clients can use it every day without any problems. In this case, I prefer that they use it all week and take the weekend off. I cannot emphasize enough that more is not better.
Over 40 years ago, retinoic products were solely used for acne and through continual observation the effectiveness for the treatment of lines and aging skin was added to their clinical findings. So with this being said, retinol is proven to aid with acne and aging skin. Acne skin fights with the backing up of dead skin cells, which blocks the follicular opening. This prohibits the natural purging process of follicle debris and in turn a nice big pimple forms. Or your face will have blackheads all over. So whether acne or premature aging is your concern, vitamin A is the thing for you. The Cleveland Clinic states…vitamin A has a molecular structure that’s tiny enough to get into the lower layers of skin, where it finds collagen and elastin. Retinol is proven to improve mottled pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, skin tone and color, and your skin’s hydration levels. When it comes to all of the trending fades in skin care, I seem to stick with science. Science beats the best sales executive. It just amazes me what some companies claim that their products can do. Just FYI for you; pharmaceutical companies must be accurate with their advertising claims, where cosmeceuticals can claim almost anything.
In my office (with a doctor), I have the ability to offer my clients Retin-A or the Green Cream®. I like both of them. They both offer great results. So if you don’t want to go to a doctor’s office or if the prescription strength is too strong, then get the Green Cream. Most of my clients do well with the level 6. Level 9 is pretty strong. Skin Depot has all three levels to choose from.
Reference:
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved November 6, 2011, from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/skin_care/hic_understanding_the_ingredients_in_skin_care_products.aspx
