Known for its anti-aging properties, retinol is one of the most popular ingredients on beauty product labels. To the almost miraculous ingredient that is widely used, either as pure retinol for the face, or as an individual ingredient in well-known cosmetics, we owe the youthful appearance of the skin. But what is retinol and what should we know about it?
What is retinol?
Retinol is one of the organic compounds belonging to the vitamin A family. It is also referred to as Vitamin A1, while other compounds belonging to the same family are provitamin A, carotenoids (e.g. beta-carotene), the retinaldehyde and retinoic acid.
Retinol has great nutritional value, as it participates in bone health, vision and immune system, iron metabolism and skin health. Plant sources of retinol are foods rich in carotenoids, which are then converted by our body into retinol. Animal sources are mainly cod and other fish oils, liver, eggs and dairy products.
Where does retinol help?
Retinol, like Vitamin A as a whole, is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that it is not eliminated from the body like water-soluble vitamins, but is stored through fatty tissue in the liver. This way our organization can create a stock for possible periods of shortage.
Retinol also contributes together with retinoic acid to the secretion of antimicrobial peptides in the mucosa and epithelium, thus fighting inflammation in our skin. However, its benefits for the health of the skin do not stop there, as it also stimulates the production of collagen and new cells and evens out the color of the skin, regulating hyperpigmentation.
Retinol for acne
Since the causes of acne can vary, the final decision to combat it should be left to our dermatologist. Acne and retinol don't always go together. Retinol can fight the microbial factors that contribute to the appearance and spread of acne, however it is contraindicated in some cases (eg rosacea) due to the irritations it may cause.
Retinol for face according to skin type
The anti-microbial and anti-aging effect of retinol creams is important, however the use of retinol depends on our skin type.
