HOW DOES RETINOL WORK?

London Dermatology | 11 November 2024

Although it may be seeing a recent spike in popularity on social media, retinol has long been recognised for its amazing ability to restore youth. However, how can one determine whether this age-defying substance is suited for them, and what precisely powers it? 

Retinol belongs to the vitamin A family and is a fat-soluble vitamin. Retinol is essential for immune system performance, eyesight, cellular growth, and reproductive development and is present in food and other supplements. Retinol has gained popularity as a skincare ingredient and is best recognised for its ability to preserve skin and mucous membranes. Retinol has several beneficial benefits on the skin, although it is most frequently linked to anti-ageing. 

Retinol use can benefit skin concerns such as:

– Wrinkles

– Acne

– Hyperpigmentation 

– Dull skin

– Age spots

– Collagen loss

– Skin Laxity

In order to unclog pores and lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, retinol and all vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) enhance the skin’s cell proliferation and collagen formation. However, you might be curious as to how precisely this vitamin offers these seemingly unreal advantages. 

Retinol starts working on your skin cells as soon as it is administered to the treatment region. It does this by encouraging fibroblasts to produce collagen fibres and by boosting their activity and quantity. 

By eliminating damaged cells and encouraging angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), this increase in collagen synthesis increases the suppleness of the skin. Additionally, keratinocytes—the surface cells in the epidermis—are produced at a faster rate by retinol. It also speeds up cell turnover, resulting in a greater number of younger, juicier cells and a quicker shedding of drier, outer keratinocytes, which produces some natural exfoliation. Skin appears plumper, smoother, and more rejuvenated as a result of all this restorative activity.