What are the Benefits of Retinol?

Retinol – your reputation precedes you. There is no golden nugget for anti-aging but if there was, this ingredient would be a worthy contender.

Retinol, which in the simplest terms is an antioxidant derivative of vitamin A, has a lot of street cred in the skincare circles because it has been proven to make a real difference to your skin. To explain, we’ve summarized some of the key benefits of retinol.

Collagen production is boosted

Collagen is what props up the skin, giving it structure, firmness and elasticity. Repeated sun exposure breaks down collagen and as we age, cells produce it less and less so that damage control is dramatically reduced. In turn, skin wrinkles, sags and loses plumpness.

Retinol boosts collagen and also prevent the rise of collagenase after UV exposure, which is responsible for depleted collagen levels in the first place.

Cell turnover speeds up

Prescription retinol was first popularized in the ’90s as a dedicated acne treatment, but doctors and dermatologists alike began to recognize that it also transforms skin’s texture and brightens its tone, remedying discoloration and age spots.

Interrupts the free-radical damage process

Retinol, the power powerful ingredient that it is, acts as a shield against environmental aggressors to prevent aging. Because it’s an antioxidant, it delays the processes that causes skin to look and act older. Hold the line wrinkles!

Pores are minimized

Your pore size is mostly by genetics, but the benefits of retinol mean that your pores’ shape and size will be seemingly improved. This could be down to its exfoliating, which removes debris that may stretch your pores open. In turn, skin stays hydrated and glowing