When purchasing skincare products or cosmetics, you’ve probably seen the term ‘retinol’ popping up more and more. These products claim to do a lot for your skin, but what does retinol do, exactly? And is it something that you should be using?
What is retinol?
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, It’s used in lots of different medicines and skincare products to address a variety of skin concerns and conditions. When hearing about retinol, you may also notice terms like ‘retinoid’ and ‘RetinA’—but are those the same as retinol? Let’s break down what each of those terms means:
- Retinoid. Retinoids are a family of chemical compounds that are all related to vitamin A. Retinol and Retin-A are types of retinoids. Most products specifically labeled ‘retinoid’ require a prescription from a dermatologist.
- Retinol. Retinol is an OTC (over-the-counter) retinoid. Retinols aren’t as strong as prescription retinoids, but they can still be effective in treating certain skin concerns.
- Retin-A. Retin-A is the brand name of a drug called tretinoin, which was the very first retinoid developed for skin use. Retin-A requires a a prescription from a dermatologist.
What conditions can retinol treat?
Retinoids (including retinol) affect the skin on a cellular level, increasing the rate at which old skin cells die and new cells grow underneath. While it’s not a miracle ingredient, its unique properties are helpful in treating a variety of common skin conditions, such as:
- Acne. By clearing out blocked pores and encouraging new skin cell growth, retinol products can treat whiteheads, and blackheads, and even reduce the appearance of acne scars. When prescribed by a doctor, topical retinoid products like adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin (Retin-A) have been shown to help treat acne in both teens and adults. Hyperpigmentation. Retinols can help even out hyperpigmentation which is when patches of skin appear darker than others because of uneven melanin production.
- Fine lines and wrinkles. When we’re younger, we naturally experience a lot of cell turnover, but that process slows down as we age. Most OTC retinols are designed to target wrinkles by improving collagen production and promoting cell turnover.
- Psoriasis. Tazarotene is a prescription retinoid medicine that can help manage thick and scaly skin, a common psoriasis symptom. It can also treat nail psoriasis.
- Keratosis pilaris. Topical retinoids can help treat keratosis pilaris. Many patients may find results with OTC creams, though some may need prescription-strength products.
Retinol isn’t the right choice for all patients. You shouldn’t use retinol products
if:
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding—while the risk is low, excessive
- amounts of vitamin A can potentially affect your baby
- You’re allergic to any of the ingredients used in a product
- You have an open wound or sore on your skin where you intend to use a product
- You have very sensitive skin and can’t tolerate certain side effects (like
- peeling or irritation)
- You spend a lot of time in the sun and don’t always wear sunscreen
