ExplainerCan retinol improve your skin? Yes, it reduces acne and makes you look younger – here’s how to use it in your skincare routine

Retinol triggers the skin cells of the top layer of the skin to turn over faster so that new cells can generate. This results in smoother and more even-looking skin

It is effective in treating both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and also helps to brighten dull skin

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Retinol products, unlike more potent forms of retinoids, don’t need a prescription and can be used to improve your skin health.

Published: 8:15pm, 7 Oct 2021

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is commonly used to treat acne and reduce wrinkles. It is one of the many types of retinoids – an umbrella term used for vitamin A derivatives.

Retinoids come in a variety of strengths and are known by different names, but retinol is the most common. It is weaker than most retinoids and usually added to over-the-counter products. These don’t need a prescription, unlike more potent forms of retinoids.

Here’s what you need to know about how retinol works and the benefits it can have for your skin.

How does retinol work?

Retinol works by triggering the skin cells of the top layer of the skin to turn over faster so that new cells can generate. This results in smoother and more even-looking skin.

Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum from Kiehl’s.

It increases the production of natural chemicals such as hyaluronic acid which helps to keep the skin moist and plump. Retinol also boosts collagen production and prevents the breakdown of existing collagen.

“Retinol doesn’t become biologically active until it is transformed into retinoic acid once it’s inside the skin,” says Suzanne Friedler, a board-certified dermatologist who is a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Medical Centre and on the dermatology faculty at St John’s Episcopal Medical Centre, both in New York.

1. It reduces the appearance of acne

According to research published in the Journal of Clinical Dermatology and Therapy, clinical data from thousands of people shows that retinol is highly effective in treating both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. It was proved to reduce the visibility of pimples on the skin and also stop the development of new pimples and acne blemishes.