If you’re searching for the fountain of youth, don’t neglect Retinoids in your skin care routine. Since the first topical retinoid was approved for acne in 1971, these vitamin A products have been hailed as a cure-all for Skin problems including smoothing fine lines, fading dark spots and making pores look smaller.

What are Retinoids? 

Retinoids describes vitamin A derivatives that activate special receptors inside cells that control various kinds of skin repair. They’ve been proven to unclog pores, boost collagen to reduce fine lines, and speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin—sometimes in as little as four weeks.

The fat solubility of Retinoids enables them to penetrate deep into the skin and interact with living cells. They prompt surface skin cells to turn over and die rapidly, making way for new cell growth underneath, hampering the breakdown of collagen and thickening the deeper layer of skin where wrinkles get their start.

One of the many things Retinoids do is thin the outer layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum. This makes the skin smoother, reflecting light the way younger skin does.  Unfortunately, thinner skin means water inside evaporates more quickly, especially if the weather is cold and dry.  That is why almost every patient using Retinoids needs a moisturiser. 

How Do You Use Retinoids?

Anyone concerned with anti-aging and acne control should start using retinol and you can start as early as your teens.  You only need a pea-sized amount each day to see its effects and it is recommended you start slowly by using retinoid every other night until the skin can tolerate it.

One of the biggest retinoid myths is that it will make your skin sun-sensitive.The ingredient itself is sensitive to sunlight, which is why you should apply it before bed at night.A retinoid shouldn’t make your skin any more vulnerable to UV rays than it would be after buffing away dead skin with a face scrub.

Silkwood Essentials Vitamin A

You don’t need a prescription to benefit from the results of retinol. Silkwood Essentials Vitamin A is 0.9% strength (which is the highest amount of Retinol available without prescription) and is less irritating than other forms of Vitamin A which can cause redness and dryness. It is combined with a product called Matrixyl which assists to stimulates collagen production and plumps and retextures skin. Using our Moisture Plus in your skin routine will ensure you create a protective layer to inhibit moisture evaporating from you more youthful looking skin!