When it comes to skin appearance, that smooth, fresh, and glowing skin is just about every woman’s dream. Whether you’re just aiming to even out that unpleasant skin texture, dealing with skin irritation or taking those dark acne spots head-on, retinol is a solid option to add to your skin care regimen. That fresh, hydrated, smoother skin you’ve been striving to achieve is no longer beyond reach if you incorporate retinol into your daily skin care routine.

So why should just about everybody be using retinol?

Retinol, also referred to as Vitamin A1, is the most popular over-the-counter variation of retinoid. Medically, Retinoids (a class of vitamin A compounds) have numerous preventive and curative functions for all skin types. And it is no coincidence that they are on W.H.O. 's list of  recommended skin care medications.

Whether you are a skincare enthusiast or just a regular lady pursuing basic skin health, Retinol is nothing but your skincare saviour. Below, we explore the numerous benefits of Retinol as an ingredient and product, and why it should be adopted by just about anyone when it comes to addressing sensitive skin concerns.

Anti-aging benefits

Skin aging has become a real concern for many and Retinol may be the ultimate holy grail of treating fine lines and wrinkles. Boasting gold-standard anti-aging benefits, Retinol delivers all the magic thanks to these benefits;

It boosts your collagen production

By the time we hit our mid 20’s, we are already losing collagen at an average rate of 1% per year. When applied to the skin, retinol is converted first into retinaldehyde, then retinoic acid which is the active form directly responsible for boosting collagen production and slowing its breakdown.

It increases your skin cell thickness, elasticity, and regeneration

Thick skin implies that the cells are densely packed and more compact, easily withstanding wrinkling and effects of sun, so that you can go outside even if you don't wear sunscreen. Secondly, increased skin elasticity means enhanced firmness, which effectively masks aging. Thirdly, regeneration means frequent skin cell synthesis facilitating skin repair and replacement.

Retinol when combined with hyaluronic acid increases your skin cell thickness, elasticity, and regeneration ensuring that you develop a plumper and more youthful skin quality, one which replenishes and retains more moisture to remain clear and glowing.

2.  Acne-fighting benefits

Looking to treat acne or suffering from severe acne? Acne develops when dead skin cells mix with the skin’s oil thus clogging your pores. Bacteria then breed as a result of insufficient aeration, causing acne. The double tragedy with acne is that even after healing, acne scars linger on, reminding you of that gruesome experience.

In dealing with acne, Retinol's action is threefold;

It exfoliates your skin

This simply means that it thins and clears your epidermis (the topmost layer of your skin). The removal of dead skin ensures your skin becomes silky and clear thus enhancing your overall texture and appearance.Furthermore, exfoliation increases your skin’s absorption capacity, thus enhancing the general potency of other skincare products you use,  besides topical retinoids.

It regulates your skin’s oil secretion

Oily skin is vulnerable to poor aeration and prone to frequent damage and infections. Greasy skin equally, is neither appealing to the eyes nor is it comfortable to the owner. Retinol conveniently binds to the specific receptors that trigger oil secretion and antagonizes their effect. It's also effective in treating large facial pores.

It kills the acne-producing bacteria

The antibacterial effect makes Retinol ultra-effective, especially for mild acne infections. The more severe ones are best treated with stronger concentrations of retinoid, which are available only by prescription.

Moreover, it is easily accessible and tolerant

Besides being available over-the-counter, Retinol's real magic is that it’s pretty tolerant. With regards to its potency vis-a-vis its side effects, it is neither too mild nor too concentrated making it the perfect sweet spot among all the retinoid derivatives.

Hyperpigmentation control 

Dealing with uneven skin tone, or excess melanin production? You could be dealing with a case of hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is definitely not a delight to behold. It refers to the excessive and irregular production of pigment (melanin) by the skin, normally triggered by irritation. While considered harmless health-wise, it truly does affect one's skin tone and appearance thus by extension, injures a woman’s  self-confidence and esteem. Retinol's game-changing benefits with regard to managing  your hyperpigmentation include:

It Increases Proliferation

This is the secret to a baby’s skin appearance. Proliferation simply means an increased rate of skin cell turnover, typical of babies' skin. This process quickly evens out and normalizes pigment distribution, which is why babies have adorable skins, and so can you with this gentle cleanser!

It De-stimulates Your Melanin Production

The release of melanin by our skins is triggered by complex environmental and genetic interactions, making it tricky to pinpoint where to implement a remedy. Luckily, Retinol's amazing trick is that it inhibits the enzyme (tyrosinase) involved in the stimulation of melanin release.

Available in a myriad of formulas

Retinol comes in a wide variety of formulations, which is great news to its users. This means that you have enough choice and flexibility to try what works best for you. The currently available formulations are:

• Retinol creams
• Retinol serum
• Lotions
• Gels
• Ointments

Final Thoughts

The benefits that come with regular use of Retinol are pretty immense for the everyday woman.From its unrivalled anti-aging properties to its nearly magical anti-acne solutions, this wonder ingredient equally boasts an unmatchable track record when it comes to neutralizing hyperpigmentation and its effects.Coupled with the ultimate benefit of being available in a variety of formulations, there is absolutely no reason why your skincare routine should miss this skincare miracle.