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

“I wonder if using glycolic acid can cause irritations. I’m not really a fan of the “acid” part but I wonder if there are indeed “acids” that do not cause irritations to the skin.”

Glycolic Acid can cause irritation, depending upon the PH level and the amount of neutralization.  Glycolic has come a long way in the last two decades.  Manufactures first thought that a lower PH was most effective and through clinical abstracts they have found that a lower PH is not necessary for the efficacy of the Glycolic Acid.  By raising the PH closer to the skins PH, it has shown to be less irritating to the skin and just as effective.  Some companies still suggest this lower PH product (NeoStrata) but most of them now use a skin friendly PH. Some of my most sensitive clients have been able to tolerate Glycolic and if you have sensitive skin, start off very slowly (1-2 times a week) and see if you can slowly work up to 3-5 times a week.  I like to give the skin a break some time throughout the week for recovery.  If 2 times a week is all that you can tolerate, this is what your skin prefers.  Everyone’s skin is different and each one of us needs to find the best regime appropriate for our skin.

FYI about Glycolic Skin Treatments…In the beginning years of my practice Glycolic Acid peels would burn like the dickens.  This is because it was a free form of Glycolic; meaning that it keeps on burning down until it gets neutralized (by me).  Now, most of the facial glycolic peels will be partially neutralized; meaning it distributes free acid glycolic followed by a neutralization process.  So don’t think that it needs to burn bad in order to get a good response. When I do Glycolic peels on the body (thicker and tougher skin) I will still use a free glycolic solution to get the best results.