THE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RETINOL
Retinol is a true buzz word when it comes to skincare, but there's a lot of confusion that surrounds it. Let's dig deep into what it actually is.
Fact - Retinol IS A FORM OF VITAMIN A.
Yep. It's the same thing.
Vitamin A comes in many different forms. And Retinol is simply one of them.
The many forms derived from Vitamin A ultimately, all do the exact same thing. Inside the skin, they change to Retinoic Acid.
All of these forms of Vitamin A transform in the skin to Retinoic Acid at different speeds, and it's this that the skin recognises and thrives from to become healthy and helps to repair skin cells as well as a whole host of benefits- It will strengthen the skin, boost immunity, balance oil production and has HUGE anti-ageing benefits.
It’s the way the skin will cope with the different forms that differentiates between them.
Retinyl Palmitate and other Retinyl Esters. With these your skin recognises it, and you’ll enjoy a smooth, stress-free ride to changing to Retinoic Acid inside the skin.
Then you have Retinol and Retinal. They are virtually the same and only 1 oxygen atom short of retinoic acid. These forms are rapid but also turbulent. They can be irritating on the skin, especially if the skin hasn't been exposed to or prepped with esters first.
Finally we have Retinoic Acid. It is a controlled substance and only available on prescription. when used on the skin directly, it can cause severe irritation and make it exceptionally light-sensitive.
You might be thinking, well surely by going in strong it will get me the fastest results? Not necessarily no, you see it’s all about the dosages of each one that will move you towards healthier skin.
It’s the amount of it, and not the form that counts! Everyone is obsessed with ‘Retinol’ - just remember, that this is just one form of vitamin A.
Vitamin A is measured in International Units and this is what’s important.
The form of it from above just dictates irritability factor and how well your skin will receive the molecule and the speed that it will turn into Retinoic Acid within the skin.
(Side note - never listen to percentages on products. Percentages are very, very misleading. Vitamin A is measured in International Units. Monica Tolan (a fellow skincare expert) explained this perfectly. ‘If you have two multipacks of toilet roll, one being a 12 pack and one being a 6 pack, 50% of the 12 pack pack will give you 6, and 50% of the 6 pack will give you 3.’ Percentages do not give you a realistic outcome when you’re talking about the strength of Vitamin A in the product.)
Due to the different speeds of them transforming to retinoic acid, you can’t go in too strong.
Basically, it's important that your skin acclimatises to lower levels of Vitamin A FIRST.
Used in the wrong doses, or too strong too soon can cause skin complications that we don't want to even consider.
I always use the metaphor that you wouldn't take someone who is Teetotal to the pub and expect them to down 20 drinks without a dodgy outcome, would you?!
Your skin is the same when it comes to the levels of Vitamin A it can tolerate at any given time. And you should always build up your tolerance to Vitamin A.
This is where the Environ's Step up System come in.
Start low - go slow.
With Environ moisturisers, you will start on levels your skin will happily tolerate, whilst making productive changes within the cells, and slowly build up to higher levels over time, enjoying the multitude of skin benefits and changes as you go!
Within the highest level of Environ moisturisers, they offer the highest dose of Vitamin A in a cream before needing to be prescribed by a medical professional - pretty cool right?!
If you want high quality results, invest in high quality skincare and be guided through your skin journey by a skincare professional.
Let's have a skin consultation together, and get you on the road to wonderfully, gorgeous, healthy skin - SAFELY.
We look forward to working with you towards your skin goals.
To book your next skincare consultation online - click right here
See you soon!
Amy
Pure Emporium
x