You may have looked at skincare products containing retinol and wondered what exactly it was and what the benefits of it are for your skin. Here, we’ve answered some of the questions we get asked most frequently about retinol. If you have a question that we haven’t answered for you here, get in touch and we’ll try to answer it for you
What Is Retinol?
Simply put, retinol is Vitamin A. It is sometimes also referred to as Retinoid. For many years Retinol has been prescribed by dermatologists to treat a huge variety of skin problems. However, at high levels, retinol can irritate and redden the skin. At Temple Spa we feel the need to be very careful of the percentage used.
Usually Retinol products prescribed by your doctor contain higher percentages than “over the counter” products, meaning they can be very, very active and therefore increase the risk of skin irritation.
Historically, Retinol is also very unstable, which means that it needs to be kept and packaged very carefully to keep it fresh and free from oxidation which would make it less effective. Think of it like an apple; with its skin on the inner remains white and juicy and high in Vitamin A; but once cut and exposed to air it turns brown and this is because of the Vitamin A exposure to oxygen. Retinol can do the same. But the good news is technology today has advanced and we can encapsulate retinol to keep it fresh, free from oxidation and also more targeted in application.
What Does Retinol Do?
Retinol can be used to treat a wide variety of skin concerns, including acne scarring, large open pores, sun damage, uneven skin texture and pigmentation and all signs of ageing including feathery and deep laughter lines. With such all-round benefits, retinol can turn the skin around dramatically in a short space of time. It’s a bit of a superhero in the skincare world!
Retinol has been proven to boost collagen production and prevent its breakdown, resulting in a reduction of wrinkles and prevention of fine lines. It works to speed up cell turnover, helping fresher and more youthful skin cells to make it to the surface more quickly.
Retinol also unclogs pores which makes it particularly great for acne and scarred skin too. For dull skin, it helps drive a dewy and more fresh-faced radiant glow. It also helps improve the condition of rough and dry skin, improving the look and feel of the skin.
How Does Retinol Work?
When retinol is applied it’s absorbed and then naturally broken down into retinoic acid. This can then impact cell activity, cell structure and the cell renewal process and is why is can do so many different things to benefit the skin.
Once delivered to the lipid layer of the skin where it’s needed most, retinol sets to work over time.
One thing to remember with retinol is that if it’s used on the skin at high percentages during the day, it can make your skin more sensitive to sun exposure. A sunscreen should be used over the top to protect the skin from being photosensitised and over exposed.
The Retinol in TRUFFLELIXIR is encapsulated which means it’s housed in a smart carrier system to protect its powers and improve its ability to penetrate the skin and the bonus is this also allows a controlled release over a prolonged period of time also.