What is retinol? Classification, effects and usage

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As a vitamin A derivative, retinol is considered a cosmetic active ingredient and is found in over-the-counter skin care products. Retinol will affect other cells of the skin, penetrate into the skin and increase cell regeneration, stimulate collagen production as well as support acne and antibacterial treatment, thereby bringing youthful skin. However, in order for retinol to take advantage of its full effect, it needs to be used continuously, regularly and properly.

1. What is retinol?

Retinol is a vitamin A derivative of the retinoid group. Retinol works by neutralizing free radicals present in the skin, which can damage collagen cells. As a vitamin A derivative, retinol is considered a cosmetic active ingredient and is found in over-the-counter skin care products. However, for retinol to have its full effect, you need to use them continuously, regularly but in the right way.

2. Another classification of the group Retinoids

In terms of classification, the group of Retinoids has 5 basic types as follows:
Retinyl palmitate: Retinyl palmitate is considered the mildest over-the-counter retinoid for the skin. If you have sensitive or very dry skin and few wrinkles, you can use Retinyl palmitate; Retinaldehyd: For Retinaldehyd it is stronger than retinyl palmitate; Retinol: One of the most powerful ingredients found in over-the-counter retinoids; Tretinoin: This is a strong form of retinoid, so it requires a prescription from a doctor; Tazarotene: This is the strongest form of the retinoids group, it is often used to treat many aging skin problems, so it requires a dosing intervention from a specialist. Besides the question “what is retinol?” The choice of retinol instead of vitamin A derivatives is of great interest. Usually, retinol will be the choice for topical application that causes the least irritation and is gentlest. As for the remaining forms of retinoids, you need to consult your doctor before using.
The texture of certain products containing retinol also affects how they work. Therefore, gel retinol types are considered to be the most effective because they are easily absorbed by the skin, making them suitable for sensitive skin. If you have dry skin, a cream retinol will be the most suitable and effective choice for you.

3. What does retinol do?

As a derivative of vitamin A, retinol is considered a cosmetic active ingredient and is found in over-the-counter skin care products. Retinol acts like a cell-binding ingredient, neutralizing free radicals within the skin. That means it will affect other cells of the skin, penetrate into the skin and increase cell regeneration, stimulate collagen production as well as support acne and antibacterial, thereby bringing back skin. youthful.
Therefore, the active ingredient Retinol helps you to treat acne problems, wrinkles on the surface of the skin. Specific effects are as follows:
Retinol has anti-aging effects. One method to fight skin aging is to use products containing Retinol. Because besides moisturizing and sunscreen to protect the skin, it is also necessary to add ingredients to strengthen as well as stimulate the skin to increase collagen. These active ingredients are in Retinol and have very good anti-aging ability for the skin, Retinol will help reduce skin problems such as pigmentation, dark spots, freckles and especially protect the skin against negative effects. polarity from the external environment. At the same time, Retinol also works to stimulate collagen production, fade dark spots, rejuvenate the skin to help users have a brighter skin. The increase of collagen in the skin will help reduce wrinkles on the skin as well as slow down the aging process of the skin.

In addition to the effect of treating dark spots and freckles on the skin, another outstanding effect of Retinol that is recognized by many users is its ability to treat acne. So, when you've tried a number of acne-fighting cosmetics that don't work, you can use Retinol to experience it.
Retinol can remove the main acne-causing agents such as dirt, excess oil, dead skin accumulated under the pores, unclog the clogged pores and minimize the oil glands, thereby helping the skin to clear. effectively prevent acne recurrence. In addition, Retinol also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects on the surface of the skin, so it is very effective in treating acne, improving acne problems that you are experiencing. Therefore, if you have acne (such as acne, cystic acne, blackheads, ...) and have melasma, freckles, skin aging problems, you should use Retinol active ingredient to overcome the problems. it's on the skin.

4. Instructions for using Retinol

When using any type of product, users need to carefully read the instructions for use before using to limit unwanted effects as well as maximize the effectiveness of that product. For Retinol, you should use cosmetics containing this active ingredient as follows:
Test your skin's sensitivity before using retinol Before using any new product for daily skin care. The user needs to ensure that the product and the ingredients contained in that product do not cause irritation or counterproductive effects on his or her skin. Therefore, when using retinol, to know if this active ingredient is irritating or suitable for your skin, you should apply the product to the skin of your forearm and cover and avoid contact with that skin. sunlight within 1 day.
If after trying, your skin does not experience any unusual symptoms, you can safely use retinol to treat acne or use it for other skin care purposes on the face.
How often to apply retinol Skin is very fragile and sensitive, so it always takes time to adapt to any new product or active ingredient. Therefore, when using retinol in the first time, you should only use it once a week. After your skin has gradually acclimatized to the retinol, you can gradually increase the frequency of use of the products and can use them every night when the skin has fully adapted to this vitamin A derivative.

Order of retinol use in the evening skin care routine Retinol is an active ingredient that works to treat acne, pigmentation, and rejuvenate the skin, they are not a form of chemical exfoliant, so before using Retinol in the routine Skin care routine, you need to remove makeup, then wash your face with cleanser, toner, Serum and apply Retinol, then use gels, hydrating lotions, and creams.
However, in case if you have to use products containing acids such as vitamin C serum in the same session with the active ingredient retinol, it is best to wait 30 minutes or more. Because the active ingredient of this vitamin A derivative requires a pH balance in the skin to convert to retinoic acid, this method should only be applied to healthy, non-sensitive skin.
Besides wondering what retinol is and how to use it or how it works, when using Retinol, users should use retinol every other day with AHA, BHA, vitamin C products. At the same time, it should be noted about Determining the right purpose and goal in choosing to use retinol is to treat acne or smooth wrinkles and prevent aging. Because any ingredient that is beneficial to the skin will also be used to its maximum use in the production process.
A careful consideration of the intended use will help you use the product at a safe and correct level, thereby promoting the maximum effectiveness of the product as well as preventing unwanted side effects of the product. that product.

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