Why is Retinol the must-have ingredient?
We’ve all heard the word retinol but safe to say very few people are certain as to what it actually means. And safe to say people don’t know it can do wonders for your skin.
Retinol is often used as the technical name for Vitamin A and, while this could be considered correct, retinol is actually just one specific form of vitamin A – preformed vitamin A, derived from animal sources such as eggs, dairy, meat, fish oil, and kidneys. The other form is pro-vitamin A, known as carotenoids – including beta-carotene – and is found in vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, pink grapefruit, sweet potato, and pumpkin.
Vitamin A in general is a fat-soluble compound with incredibly important functions for the body, including helping the normal reproduction of cells and the healing of wounds, maintaining good vision, bone growth, immune system health, and reproduction. It works as an antioxidant, fighting damage to cells and ensuring the formation and maintenance of your vital organs including your lungs and kidneys. While a deficiency of vitamin A is quite rare, not having enough can lead to dry eyes, night blindness, skin problems, and even digestive problems.
So why is retinol in particular important?Well, when it comes to the health of your skin, retinol is often considered nothing less than a magic ingredient for skincare and skin health. Extensive research has shown the potential of retinol to be a skin-transforming compound, particularly when it comes to anti-ageing.
Our skin is assaulted on a daily basis by our environment – sun, pollution, dust, and cigarette smoke all wear down our skin and affect its radiance and health. Retinol can increase the firmness and elasticity of your skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and smooth out bumpy skin and uneven skin tone.
How? Retinol pushes skin cells near the surface to die quickly, which prompts the growth of new cells underneath, effectively re-energizing your skin. It also slows the breakdown of collagen, which is the substance that helps skin retain its firmness, and thickens deep layers of the skin where wrinkles start to form. And it can also curb the production of melanin which gives skin a darker pigment and can cause brown spots.
Treatment of skin conditions using retinolBut beyond anti-ageing, retinoids, the synthetic form of vitamin A, can also be used to treat severe acne when prescribed, and may even be used against other skin conditions including psoriasis and warts.
So, as wonderful as that sounds, how do we ensure we are using or absorbing enough retinol? Vitamin A comes in many edible forms and retinol, as mentioned, can be found in animal products like meat and dairy. But of course, not everyone eats meat and dairy, or wants to eat it in the quantities required to see the benefits for your skin.
Incorporate retinol in your daily skincare routine
Luckily, retinol and vitamin A are easy to incorporate in your daily skincare routine. Serums and creams containing retinol come in a variety of strengths and the strength you need will depend on your skin type and your particular concern. So it is best to consult a skin specialist before including a retinol product in your skin care. Also – vitamin A breaks down when it is exposed to too much air and light so your product should be sealed which means a tube is preferable to a jar.
The skin specialists and scientists designing pHformula products have long understood the great benefits of retinol, and the ingredient is an important component of pHformula’s innovative anti-ageing treatments. In particular, the pHformula Vita A cream contains pure retinol and a 24-hour moisturizing complex, providing an advanced treatment for ageing skin. Initially applied every three nights to build tolerance until it can be applied daily, the retinol helps to stimulate cell regeneration to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots while the moisturizing complex provides prolonged hydration and protection.
 Ensuring retinol is part of your skincare package
It is important to remember however, that no matter what anti-ageing steps you take, it won’t be enough if you don’t ensure your skin is always protected from harsh ultraviolet rays. So an SPF cream should be an essential component of your skincare routine. And your skin is a tough, hardworking organ that needs more than one support system, so retinol should be used as part of a balanced and nutritious skincare package.
 Your skin’s protection
pHformula’s multifunctional complexion correcting C.C. Cream instantly minimizes the appearance of imperfections while sun filters block those age-accelerating ultraviolet rays. Containing daily broad spectrum protection, vitamin C for treating photo-aged skin, rice brain oil for increased elasticity and hydration, and of course retinol to stimulate the synthesis of collagen and act as a powerful antioxidant, this is a holistic and effective product for both treatment and your skin’s protection.
 Revitalizing your skin
We all know there is no one-stop, fix-all solution to the signs of ageing. But by incorporating retinol into your skincare routine, you will certainly go a long way towards revitalizing your skin and ensuring it looks its radiant best.
Contact pHformula for more advice!
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