Skin care with retinol (and its derivatives)
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A retinol serum works effectively against the signs of aging. Retinol is a widely used form of retinoid and a derivative of vitamin A, which is why it is often referred to as vitamin A1. Retinoids include various vitamin A derivatives, including retinol, retinoic acid, retinal and retinyl palmitate, which vary in their effectiveness and application. Retinol is the most commonly used, over-the-counter form, valued in natural cosmetic products for its effectiveness and tolerability.
Retinol skin care is great for preventing wrinkles, treating acne, lightening skin discoloration and reducing pigmentation. It stimulates collagen production, improves skin texture and can slow down the aging process, resulting in brighter and revitalized skin.
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The differences between the different forms of retinol
Retinol and its derivatives are central ingredients in many skin care products and play a significant role in skin regeneration and anti-aging care. To gain a comprehensive understanding of their effects and differences, it is important to know the different forms of vitamin A derivatives and their specific properties.
1. Vitamin A derivatives include all compounds derived from vitamin A, including retinoids.
2. Retinoids are a group of compounds derived from vitamin A. They include all derivatives and relatives of vitamin A used in skin care. Retinoids include various forms, such as retinol, retinal (retinaldehyde) and retinoic acid (tretinoin).
3. Retinol (vitamin A1) is a form of vitamin A that is used in numerous skin care products. Compared to stronger retinoids, retinol is considered to be milder and less intense in its effects. Retinol must first be converted into retinal in the skin and then into retinoic acid in order to become active. This makes it gentler but also less effective than stronger retinoids.
4. Retinyl palmitate is another vitamin A derivative. It is an ester of retinol and palmitic acid that is used in skin care products. Retinyl palmitate is milder than retinoic acid and is often used in over-the-counter products.
5. Retinal (also called retinaldehyde) is another form of vitamin A and an intermediate in the conversion of retinol to retinoic acid. It has similar, but often milder, effects to retinoic acid and is used in some cosmetic products.
6. Retinoic acid (also known as tretinoin) is the active form of vitamin A and acts directly on skin cells. It is often used to treat acne and reduce wrinkles. Due to its strong effects, retinoic acid can cause skin irritation and is often prescription only.
How does the retinol serum work?
Retinol penetrates into the upper layers of the skin and is converted by enzymatic reactions into retinal (retinaldehyde) and then into retinoic acid (tretinoin).
Retinoic acid, as an active form of vitamin A, acts directly on skin cells and is responsible for improving skin texture, lightening pigment spots and reducing wrinkles. Retinol stimulates collagen production, accelerates cell regeneration and helps improve skin texture and prevent clogged pores, which is especially important in the treatment of acne.
Retinol serum for daily care
Start your new skin care routine slowly and see how your skin reacts. Natural cosmetic products containing retinol should initially only be used twice a week in the evening to gradually get the skin used to the active ingredient. If the product is well tolerated, the application can be increased to several days a week.
Retinol is valued in natural cosmetics for its powerful effect, but you should be careful when using it, as it can cause redness in sensitive skin. To get used to it gently, it is recommended to test the serum on a small area of skin first and gradually increase the frequency of use. Since retinol promotes cell renewal, the top layer of skin is removed more quickly, which makes the skin more sensitive to environmental influences and sunlight. It is therefore essential to use a high-quality, natural sunscreen during the day.
In addition, you should avoid using retinol during pregnancy, as high-dose retinol preparations for oral use are believed to have a potential teratogenic effect.
Alternatives to Retinol
If you are pregnant or have particularly sensitive or dry skin, you may also want to consider retinol alternatives such as bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is a plant-based ingredient that offers similar benefits to retinol but is gentler on the skin and causes less irritation.
Other options are phyto-retinoids such as the extract from the mat bean (Vigna Aconitifolia), which can also help improve skin texture and promote cell renewal without putting too much strain on the skin. Or the organic retinol Bidens Pilosa, which is said to have similarly strong antioxidant and renewing properties as retinol.
You can also use cacay oil, which naturally contains a high concentration of vitamin A. These alternatives are ideal for sensitive skin or during pregnancy as they are considered safe and well tolerated.
