Retinol is a great ingredient in skin care. Retinoids are different-strength derivatives of vitamin A that have the ability to exfoliate the top layer of skin cells at a fast speed.  It encourages collagen production, and then it irons away fine lines and wrinkles on your skin, and it minimizes hyperpigmentation and keeps acne at bay.

Oprah’s Spring Fashion Handbook included a section called “Retinol Cream: Your Skin’s New Best Friend.”  The skincare pros in the handbook shared how retinol creams changed their life and outlook.  It is beneficial for everyone to know how to use retinol cream and it may change your life!

What is retinol cream?

Retinol creams are made up of retinoids. It is a tropical form of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is commonly known as the best anti-wrinkle ingredient recommended by many dermatologists. It promotes cell turnover, and it eliminates old, dead cells and it produces new and healthy cells.  That is the main reason for its skincare benefits.

What does retinol actually do?

What does retinol actually do?  How does it benefit us?  Let’s talk about it.  The answer is that many dermatologists refer to retinol as the only proven anti-aging ingredient.  It is right on the point.   Dermatologists generally summarise the action of retinol as ‘exfoliating, aiding in the production of collagen, and fighting free radicals.’ Those three functions jointly are the most powerful skin overhaul.

Many cream manufacturers are including retinol in products. The main reason is because of retinol's impressive ability to decrease wrinkles.  In addition, there may be another miraculous benefit to this wonder ingredient. Retinol is highly recommended by dermatologists for its wonderful ability to clear up acne. 

Retinol works effectively at eliminating the appearance of wrinkles and fine line, which can have to be named "the best" anti-aging ingredient. There is no argument to it.  Tones of research prove that vitamin A derivative can effectively undo wrinkles and even discoloration caused by sun damage.  At the moment you put it on, it is working on your skin.  Within just a few seconds of application, you can notice a small, yet noticeable difference.

That being said, retinol doesn’t work equally on everyone.  You shouldn’t use it if you suffer from rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis as retinol can make you more vascular; meaning that you may end up with more inflammation and thereby worse symptoms of whatever it is you are suffering from.

How often should you use retinol?

Dermatologists generally suggest that you should slowly build up a tolerance to the retinol by starting once or twice a week for two weeks, then slowly adding on a day every two weeks until you feel your skin gets used to.” Some amount of irritation and redness can be considered normal, especially in the first few introductory weeks of any retinol. If you experience it, it should be mild and manageable.  If not, you should stop using it and seek advice from skincare professionals.

The most important retinol rule is . . . 

The most important thing to remember is to use SPF!  As retinol helps your skin become younger and healthier, at the same time the skin gets more sun-sensitive.  It’s always advisable to use sunscreen and be sun smart every day, all year round.  That way you are to prevent wrinkles, blotchy skin, and skin cancer. 

It’s the single most important thing to remember so that your appearance ages slower than your real age. Retinol may make you slightly more sun sensitive, but regardless you should always practice sun-safe methods and apply a minimum of SPF 30 on a daily basis!

How do you pick a retinol product?

For starters, in the case of retinol, you may want to consider the packaging as integral to the product. It is because the packaging and formulation are key in determining which form to use. Retinol generally can be sensitive to air and light; however, if encapsulated, retinol is less affected by these factors…"

And that’s where things get even more consideration - all retinol products aren’t equal, with brands relying far too heavily on the fact that it is included rather than on the form in which it comes and how effective it’ll be when using. Consider that cosmeceutical retinol (which need to be converted into retinoic acid before the skin can use it and which generally come in concentrations of between 0.1 and 0.5%) use around ten times more retinol content than prescription retinol and you get some idea of how key formulation is.

This gives some credence to naysayers who question the importance of percentages but rather insist on choosing a retinol product from a brand who formulates well. "There’s a big focus on how much retinol is in the product you end up buying - but that’s really not the full story," explains Pam Marshall, Clinical Aesthetician at Mortar & Milk, "there’s way more to consider than just the percentage of retinol: molecular weight (which brands don’t have to disclose on packaging) is a massive factor, as is how often you use your chosen retinol."

So which retinol cream is right for you? Retinol Cream (Vitamin A Cream) can be the one.  It has just the right amount of retinol to ensure those wrinkles you hate will be gone in no time. It’s by far our favorite retinol cream on the market.

Within seconds of application, there was a noticeable result. Fine lines seemed to diminish in appearance, and skin felt smoother than it had in a while. This is the best, most natural form of wrinkle prevention, reducer, and just plain skin care product in the market. And for the price...you can't go wrong with it.