A form of vitamin A, retinol or retinoic acid, is clinically proven to improve the appearance of wrinkles, skin discoloration, and blemishes. Retinol helps promote cell turnover, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin discoloration, and blemishes. When applied to the skin, retinol converts to retinoic acid and is often considered a more tolerable form of vitamin A.

With age, skin’s natural cell turnover decreases resulting in dull, uneven skin tone and rough skin texture. Topical retinol creams help promote turnover of surface cells, which means dead skin cells are sloughed away faster, revealing visibly healthier and brighter skin. Similarly, retinol’s exfoliation mechanism helps improve the appearance of blemishes by preventing dead skin cells from clogging pores.

Purity is essential for retinol efficacy in skin, as pure retinol most easily converts to retinoic acid in skin. Always look for high concentration of pure retinol vs. retinol derivatives such as retinyl palmitate. SkinCeuticals uses pure, high concentrations of retinol enhanced with stabilization to ensure maximum conversion and efficacy.

Retinol and tretinoin are both chemical compounds derived from vitamin A. Tretinoin is a pharmaceutical form of retinoic acid available only by prescription. It is frequently prescribed for acne, but also helps improve fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discoloration. Though highly effective, this topical treatment can cause unwanted side effects including redness, peeling, and dryness.¹Topical retinol, on the other hand, is available for purchase without a prescription. While it functions similarly to tretinoin, research has shown that it exhibits notably less irritation potential.²

For the appropriate recommendation on which form of vitamin A product is best suited to your specific skin needs, please consult a  skincare professional.

Pure retinol acts as a strong exfoliant, which can render skin sensitive to sun and UV damage. Therefore, it is recommended that retinol be applied in the evening and always be used in conjunction with a high broad spectrum sunscreen. Many physicians do not recommend retinol during peak summer months.

Additionally, research shows that some retinol formulations can breakdown quickly if not in proper protective packaging. SkinCeuticals retinol creams are packaged to ensure stability and protection of the product potency.

In the evening after cleansing and toning, apply a pea-sized amount to the tips of the fingers. Using too much retinol can irritate the skin. Dab the product onto your face, avoiding the eye area and massage firmly until it has absorbed into skin. For optimal results, allow for absorption before applying other skincare products. Limit initial use to once or twice a week, gradually increasing frequency to nightly as tolerated.

Due to the high concentration of pure retinol, use a retinol cream only at night to limit photosensitivity and irritation. Always apply a broad spectrum sunscreen when using this product.

Due to its exfoliating mechanism of action, a topical retinol creams may increase skin sensitivity and potential for irritation, especially when used with certain medications or in-office treatments such as chemical peels. As retinol creams can increase photosensitivity, extensive periods of sun exposure are not encouraged. It is especially important to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen while using this product. Vitamin A products like tretinoin and retinol are not recommended during pregnancy. Please consult a  physician  to determine whether the use of a retinol cream is appropriate.

To understand how retinol helps reduce blemishes, it is important to understand how acne formation is triggered in the first place. Skin’s pores contain oil glands, which are responsible for producing oil to lubricate the skin and hair. Usually, oil glands produce the right amount of sebum or oil, but they can be overactive at times, resulting in excess sebum production. The combination of excess oil and dead skin cells can cause pores to become clogged, creating the perfect condition for P.acnes bacteria – a bacteria that can contribute to the formation of acne – to become trapped and multiply.

Topical retinol formulations increase cell turnover in skin, ultimately reducing the buildup of dead skin cells. With fewer dead skin cells present on the surface of the skin, it becomes more difficult for pores to clog. Retinol creams work via chemical exfoliation, which may be less abrasive than mechanical exfoliation that involves the use of scrubs.

However, as with any topical skincare products targeting acne, results may take time. It is important that retinol and any other blemish-fighting products are applied as recommended by your skincare professional. It is also essential that a  broad spectrum sunscreen  is applied daily when using a retinol. Look for non comedogenic, oil free sunscreen formulations that deliver high UVA/UVB protection without clogging pores.

The length of time it will take your skin to get used to a retinol cream will vary from person-to-person, based on your skin type, current regimen, and the strength of retinol you are using. It’s normal when beginning retinol to have a “retinization” period which can last about two weeks and can include mild redness, flaking, peeling, and slight discomfort. For this reason, it is recommended to limit use to once or twice a week and gradually increase the frequency until your skin can tolerate it nightly. We recommend to build up tolerance before moving on to a higher concentration of retinol. SkinCeuticals retinol creams are formulated in 3 different concentrations to minimize skin irritation while maximizing the benefits of pure retinol. When used in conjunction with
  Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, skin's adjustment period to retinol may be shortened by one week and tolerability improved. Always apply a  broad spectrum sunscreen  while using retinol products.

Retinol creams are designed to exfoliate the skin. Additional exfoliation could cause additional irritation to the skin. Always consult with your  skincare professional  for personalized advice before starting a retinol regimen.