RETINOL FOR THE FACE AND BODY: WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT’S FOR AND THE CONTRAINDICATIONS

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF THIS MOLECULE FOR YOUR SKIN, THE CONTRAINDICATIONS TO ITS USE AND THE FACE AND BODY CREAMS THAT CONTAIN IT. 

What will you find in this article? Here’s a summary:

1. 1 - Retinol: what it is and what it’s for
2. 2 - Retinol and hyaluronic acid
3. 3 - Retinol before and after: effects and benefits
4. 4 - The contraindications of retinol
5. 5 - Face creams containing retinol and hyaluronic acid

When you hear the word retinol what comes to mind?

It’s one of those ingredients used to counteract the signs of ageing. It can be used for both the face and the body. It has benefits and great qualities, but you have to know how to use it.

Let’s take a closer look at what we’re talking about.

1. Retinol: what it is and what it’s for

Have you ever heard of Vitamin A? Retinol belongs to the retinoid family and is derived precisely from the Vitamin A present in our body and in certain foods like meat and milk.

Retinol must not be confused with retinoic acid, an ingredient belonging to the same family but that has completely different characteristics and effects.

Just to be clear: retinol can be utilised for cosmetic use, retinoic acid can’t. It can only be used when prescribed by a doctor. 

Retinol has several functions and benefits. This is what makes it one of the best components for a face and body beauty routine. Here’s what it’s used for

• - anti-age effect against facial wrinkles: retinol stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, the proteins that help keep skin youthful and elastic. It is able to block the molecule that results in free radicals, one of the main culprits of ageing. This makes it ideal for both face and body skin. Our Retinol Body, for example, is an ideal firming and revitalising product and is particularly suitable for skin that is very dry and presents mild discolouration and signs of ageing.
• - regenerating action: retinol stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans: (an extraordinary promoter of penetration, allowing the active ingredients to reach the vital layers of the skin quickly and effectively) with a regenerating action. It is fantastic for counteracting dark spots on the face and body, and for bringing the skin greater radiance.
• - sebum-regulating and anti-impurity action: retinol is the best friend of anyone suffering from acne, or who has an oily or combination skin, because it helps to keep sebum production, shininess and enlarged pores under control.

2. Retinol and hyaluronic acid

We have already discussed how incredible retinol is, particularly for counteracting skin ageing. Obviously, however, we cannot overlook hyaluronic acid.  

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that our body produces naturally. With the inevitable passage of time, its proportion in the skin progressively declines, causing the skin to lose elasticity and tone. Targeted anti-age treatments use specific products to stimulate its production.

But which ingredient should we pick: retinol or hyaluronic acid?

Retinol is perhaps more effective, but it undoubtedly calls for greater caution.

Hyaluronic acid can be used by anyone, but its effects are not immediately visible.

Do we really have to choose?

Actually, you don’t. Retinol and hyaluronic acid can be used together, in fact they could make an ideal combination. Whereas retinol dries the skin, hyaluronic acid hydrates it.

A tip? First apply the retinol to dry, cleansed skin, and then the hyaluronic acid. It is important to follow this order, as the acid molecules could prevent the retinol from penetrating properly.

For the sake of convenience, retinol creams and serums with hyaluronic acid are available on the market. Like our ULTRA RETINOL, a face serum for firmer, more supple skin.

3. Retinol before and after: effects and benefits

Is retinol really effective on wrinkles? The answer is yes, of course it is. 

Before using it, your skin may seem dull, with signs of ageing. Once you have tried it, especially once your skin has got used to the product, it will appear smoother and less wrinkled.

But remember, it doesn’t work miracles: it can’t reduce expression lines (the horizontal lines on the forehead and the nasolabial folds). Retinol is effective on micro-wrinkles caused by skin ageing.

4. The contraindications for retinol (and a few false myths)

All that glitters is not always gold! Retinol is incredible, but it has certain contraindications:

• - It can irritate and dry the skin, so not all skins tolerate it, especially very dry skins. Be sure to check the percentage products contain, the higher it is, the more difficult it will be to tolerate.
• - It is photosensitising. This means that it makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight. It is advisable to apply it at night and to protect your skin with sun cream during the day. 
• Avoid exposure to the sun during the hottest hours of the day, but you do anyway, don’t you?
• - Retinol must not be used during pregnancy and when breastfeeding, because its ability to penetrate allows it to reach the deepest layers of the skin, making it potentially toxic and harmful.
• And what about the false myths regarding retinol?
• - Many people think retinol creams shouldn’t be used by people under 50 years of age. That’s not true. So twenty- and thirty-somethings, feel free! It can be applied as soon as the first signs of ageing appear.
• - The results are not immediate. It would be nice to apply it just once before bedtime and wake up perfect. That’s not how it works. As with any cream or serum, it takes a couple of weeks to see real improvements.

5. Face creams containing retinol and hyaluronic acid

As you know, here at Veralab we think of absolutely everything!

So if you’re looking for an anti-age face product containing hyaluronic acid and retinol, here are a few suggestions:

 

#HYDRA SERUM, moisturising serum with hyaluronic acid. Ideal for those who need deep hydration without weighing down the skin. Hyaluronic acid helps to maintain the skin's hydrolipidic balance and promotes collagen production.

 

 

NO DARK, a hydrating eye contour and eyelid cream for dark circles and dark rings. It contains Quinoa Seeds, low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycan.

 

 

ULTRA RETINOL, a retinol face serum for firmer, more supple skin. An outstanding product for promoting collagen synthesis and improving acne and cell turnover. Its formulation contains hyaluronic acid for additional hydration.

 

 

RETINOL BODY, our smoothing, hydrating and regenerating retinol and bio-retinol body cream Retinol Body is an ideal firming and revitalising product and is particularly suitable for skin that is very dry and presents mild discolouration and signs of ageing.

Any queries or questions? Have you ever tried our products containing retinol?