Because of its small molecule size, retinol is able to penetrate deeply below the skin surface, where it has the most beneficial effects. Lines and wrinkles are diminished, elasticity is improved, and moisture is increased. By repairing damage to your skin cells, your skin looks healthier and younger.

Retinol can stimulate production of new collagen cells, which is vital in the effort against aging skin. As a result, experts agree that retinol is an important ingredient in better quality skin care products. Retinols can increase collagen, which is needed to provide foundation support to the skin. Hyaluronic acid production is also stimulated. Hyaluronic acid helps moisturize skin. Retinol is also has antioxidant properties and therefore diminishes scavenging free radicals, which can damage skin cells.

Retinol has several breakdown products including retinoic acid; both belong to a category of compounds known as retinoids. These compounds are among the few molecules that have a sufficiently small size to penetrate the top layers of the skin and repair damage to the lower layers – this where collagen and elastin are located.

Retinol does not have a direct effect on the skin, unlike many other vitamins. It therefore has to be converted into retinoic acid in order to manifest a direct benefit on skin cells. While this is a phenomenon that occurs naturally on the surface of the skin, users should differentiate between retinol, available over the counter, and retinoic acid, which can only be purchased with a prescription.

Although retinoic acid provides superior wrinkle fighting benefits because it has to be converted from retinol, it can often result in unacceptable levels of skin irritation and has other unwanted side effects. These problems restrict its use, particularly in people with sensitive skin. Therefore, while pure retinoic acid is quite effective, it is excessively irritating for most peoples skin. Studies demonstrate that retinoic acid applied to the skin is unsuitable for older individuals because it irritates their skin more readily. However, the studies show that retinol is safe.

Appropriately designed products with retinol provide an alternative to retinoic acid that costs less and is not as irritating. Consequently, you should consider purchasing retinol over the counter, but only if it contains enough of the active ingredient and is carefully formulated.

Two metabolic steps are required to convert retinol to retinoic acid. The conversion rate to retinoic acid is relatively low. Thus, a higher concentration of retinol must be applied to the skin to increase the concentration of retinoic acid and yield observable results. A high number of products contain insufficient retinol to have any noticeable effect. Products that do not show the retinol concentration may not contain enough to provide any significant benefit. Therefore, it is not good enough to include retinol in the list of ingredients. Any such product should contain one million International Units per ounce (about 1.0% retinol).

Nevertheless, products with high concentrations of retinol could cause skin irritation, particularly in those with sensitive skin. As a result, only products that reduce irritation by using ingredients such as soothing oils and include a moisturizer such as hyaluronic acid should be purchased.

Because even adequately formulated retinol creams might irritate skin at the beginning of use, mild rashes or redness or might be observed. Some skin may flake off as dead or damaged cells are shed and replaced by fresh cells. This is to be expected and most skin adjusts to the retinol and positive benefits are soon seen.

Retinol does cause skin to be more sensitive to sunlight, so it is important to apply a quality sunblock to guard against sunburn. Retinols should not be used during pregnancy or nursing due to potentially harmful effects.

Retinol assists in the communication among skin cells and ensure that they function properly. With advancing age, this communication capability diminishes. In younger persons, skin cells contain receptors which easily recognize retinoic acid. This communication capability enables cells to function properly and regenerate on a regular basis. In older skin, this communication process is diminished and retinoic acid is not recognized as efficiently. As a result, the cell renewal rate is decreased and skin begins to show aging signs.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have completed a study showing that routine use of sufficiently potent levels of retinol will diminish fine lines and wrinkles and other effects of age. Older skin loses its thickness and becomes less flexible and will bruise more readily. The study mentions that aging and fragile skin is becoming a major health problem as the general population gets older.

The research incorporated 36 subjects, all 81 years of age or older. A formulation with 0.4% retinol was used on one upper arm of each patient and a cream without any retinol was applied to their other arm, up to 3 times weekly for six months.

At the conclusion of the experiment, the study noted that skin was smoother and that wrinkles and the effects of aging were substantially improved in the arms of subjects treated with retinol.

In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that retinol gives many benefits for the skin repair and renewal process as long as adequately high concentrations are included in a formulation that is designed to minimize irritation.

br
br
pLee Slaney is a licensed esthetician. More information on products recommended in this article can be found at a target=_new href=http://www.MangoMadnessSkinCare.com rel=nofollowhttp://www.MangoMadnessSkinCare.com/a and a target=_new href=http://www.mangomadnessskincare.com/ReNew-Youth-Retinol-Cream-p-29.html rel=nofollowhttp://www.mangomadnessskincare.com/ReNew-Youth-Retinol-Cream-p-29.html/a/pbr
br

I believe that if you asked any woman if softer, younger-looking skin was important to her, she would say an emphatically yes! Who wouldn’t want to look younger than their age? We all want to look younger and healthier don’t we?

Of course we do. That is why we are in constant search of the best anti-aging skincare products available. As our quest continues, so does the number of skincare products on the market.

Our skin is a snapshot of what is happening internally. If we are healthy inside, it will show a glowing, clean and healthy looking skin on the outside. If we have internal deficiencies, our skin will show a number of problems like dry, blotchy, redness or acne on the outside.

So where does good skincare and anti aging skin begin? You’ve heard the answers before, like eating healthy with lots of fruits and vegetables and regular exercise. But does it start and stop there?

Did you know that drinking large doses of water daily moisturizes the skin and flushes out the toxins in our bodies?

Also to keep youthful and healthy skin, it is a must to avoid too much sun. Too much sun will damage your skin and encourage skin cancer. Apply sunscreen to your skin each and every time you go outside. Re-apply after every swim and wear sunglasses.

Now on the market is an extraordinary product called Resveratrol that is known to be the answer for anti aging because it is rich in antioxidants. Resveratrol is also packed with other known benefits like weight loss, increased energy levels, lowers blood cholesterol levels, controls blood pressure and great for the skin as it slows the aging process down and makes wrinkles and fine lines disappear.

Resveratrol can be found in pill supplements or creams and lotions.

Just remember this… whatever you apply on your skin, whether lotion or cream will eventually wind up inside you. Make sure it is good for you.

Please visit our website for more information on
anti aging skin care to learn the best anti aging cream available to help you look younger.