Walk into any pharmacy or beauty department and you will find products with retinol. It is praised for its anti-aging abilities, and the positive benefits it has to offer your skin. Here is everything you need to know to understand retin
Walk into any pharmacy or beauty department and you will find products with retinol. It is praised for its anti-aging abilities, and the positive benefits it has to offer your skin. Here is everything you need to know to understand retinol, its benefits and its uses.
What is Retinol?
Retinol is the animal form of vitamin A. It is fat-soluble and helps keep vision sharp and bones strong. Other forms of vitamin A include retinal, retinoic acid and retinyl esters, but retinol is the most usable. All version of vitamin A together are known as retinoids.
Retinol represents the vitamin A molecule in its complete state.
More on Fat-Soluble
Fat-soluble vitamins will be absorbed into the body through the intestinal tract. They are absorbed in the same manner as fats, so any condition or medication that interferes with the absorption of fats will also interfere with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. These vitamins are stored in the body, most often in the liver.
Where it’s Found
Retinol can be produced synthetically. It is typically ingested through natural sources including liver, eggs, kidney, and dairy produce. Vitamin A is also found in plants with high levels of beta-carotene like dark or yellow vegetables and in carrots.
Retinol? Get Remedies Fast!
Specifically; cod liver oil, butter, margarine, eggs, cheese and milk all contain retinoids. The level is typically 0.15 mg of retinoids for every 1.75 to 7 ounces.
How it’s Measured
Retinol is measured in International Units (IU). These refer to biological activity and so each compound will have a slightly different IU measurement. One IU of retinol will be equal to roughly 0.3 microgram, or 300 nanograms.
What it Does
Retinol helps epithelial cells function properly. Glycoprotein synthesis requires certain levels of vitamin A to take place. Vitamin A is also an important ingredient that is needed by our immune systems.
Most notably, the positive effects of vitamin A are seen in vision, night vision, tooth and bone development and strength, reproduction and healthy skin.
How it Affects Skin
Retinol is most commonly known for playing an important role in successful skin care. Retinol is used to help slow the effects of aging that are shown in the skin. Retinol helps to resurface and rejuvenate the skin, leaving users with skin that is more vibrant, clear and youthful.
Retinol has an extremely small molecular structure. This tiny structure is what enables retinol to penetrate deep into skin and go to work smoothing wrinkles and improving skin. Vitamin A in this form has the ability to improve the elasticity of the skin, smooth wrinkles and lines and increase moisture. The complexion is left, smooth, glowing and the damage that is done from age and the environment is greatly minimized and even reduced.
As the body ages, skin cells can gradually take on a misshapen and altered shape. However, these same cells have receptor sites that will quickly accept retinoic acid. As the retinoic acid is absorbed, the cell begins to function normally and will resume cell generation that is normal. Retinol contains this necessary and highly beneficial retinoic acid.
Retinol has also been used to help control acne and keratosis pilaris by adding it to topical creams. Not only does vitamin A help the skin regenerate and look more youthful, it also has an exfoliating feature that can help unclog pores and clear acne.
Research also shows that retinol can stimulate the production of new collagen, another critical ingredient in maintaining youthful, healthy skin.
People with very dry skin may find that they initially see some light flaking when they first begin using products with retinol. This stage, known as the retinoid effect, is nothing more than the skin acclimating to the vitamin. It will typically pass quickly and with no ill side effects.
The use of retinol products can make you more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to use a good sunscreen.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Night Blindness is a common symptom of a vitamin A deficiency. If the deficiency persists, other symptoms can include dry eye and Bitot’s spot, where keratin debris can build up in the conjunctiva.
Other symptoms of vitamin A deficiency include a poor ability to adapt to darkness (nyctalopia), dry hair and skin, fingernails that break easily, and corneal perforation. Pruritis, or itching, can occur. Keratomalacia is a condition where the cornea can become very dry. Xerophthalmia is another form of dry eye that can occur when the body is not receiving enough vitamin A.
The immune system can be compromised by a vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A has been used to treat children with measles that have a vitamin A deficiency. Supplementing their diet with vitamin A has been found to shorten the duration and severity of the illness. Side effects to watch for inclu