You will age, but your skin won't if you use this active in your regimen. No kidding! It can defy time and make your skin wrinkle-free. With abilities ranging from accelerating cell regeneration to decreasing inflammation, this can upgrade your skincare game, the earlier incorporated, the better! The powerful active is none other than the Revitalizing Repairing Hero- Retinol!

What is Retinol?

It is a Vitamin-A Derivative, it goes deep beyond your skin’s epidermis to the dermis with its small molecules and evens out the skin. It repairs skin from within by boosting collagen production and neutralizing free radicals at the cellular level. Let us proceed further to understand this active ingredient in detail.

Retinol and Retinoid might sound similar and are often thrown interchangeably but are separate from one another! Retinoid is a Vitamin-A derivative. Retinol is the third strongest version of Retinoid. They both possess the structural similarities of Vitamin-A.

 

These are the different types of Retinoids and their strengths. Retinoic Acid has the most potency in comparison with other forms of Retinoids. Weaker forms of Retinoids are easily accessible but the stronger forms need a doctor’s prescription.

Plant-based Retinoids: 

• Bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is a botanically safer version of Retinol. Bakuchiol is derived from a plant called Psoralea corylifolia (nicknamed "babchi"). It displays nearly twice the anti-oxidative potential as that of Vitamin E. It can help reduce wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation, and hyperpigmentation. 

• Arophira

It is the lesser-known retinol alternative extracted from Marine Algae. It plays well with other actives and reduces pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles while controlling excess sebum production.

• Pracaxi Seed Oil

Pracaxi Seed Oil is rich in Retinoids. It has the highest concentration of Behenic Acid and Its roots belong to the Amazonian Rainforest. 

Pracaxi Seed Oil has skin and lip healing properties. It provides intense hydration and nourishment and lightens pigmentation by boosting collagen production and neutralizing free radical damage. 

Most Synthetic Retinol users complain of heavy skin side effects and purging after using traditional retinol. The most beneficial advantage of a vegan and plant-based version is that it has significantly lesser side effects than conventional retinol and is less harsh on the skin and does not cause the skin to break out.

Synthetic, animal-based retinol can be fierce on the skin. Side effects of vegan retinol are extremely rare. The retinol-caused side effects are usually referred to as “retinol uglies” which include: 

• Redness
• Irritation
• Itching and Burning
• Dry skin
• Flaking and peeling of the skin
• Increased sensitivity to the sun
• Skin Purging

So are plant-based retinoids indeed safe? Yes, None of these side effects occur when you use natural, plant-based retinol.

Benefits of Using Retinol in Skin Care

Patience is the key when it comes to using Retinol. Your skin won’t plump in a day or look less aged within a week. It will take time and consistent care to reach the desired level. When used religiously Retinol has these benefits:

• Anti-Aging 

Retinol has Anti-aging and Anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce wrinkles, lines, and Other signs of aging including sagging and dull skin. It speeds up the cell turnover process and makes skin softer, smoother, and young.

• Acne Reduction

By Clearing pores and reducing inflammation, Retinol reduces acne and its appearance. It goes deeper into the skin and promotes a fresh skin base.

• Improves overall skin health

Retinol boosts collagen production and enhances overall skin health. It is the charming ingredient that when used correctly with proper care can make you reach closer to your skin goals.

• Lightens skin and reduces hyperpigmentation 

Retinol promotes light and even skin tone by removing clogged pores. It reduces hyperpigmented and dark skin by lightening dull and aged skin.

• Evens out skin tone 

Retinol removes the build-up of dead and dry skin cells. It can lead to more even and hydrated skin. Retinol can also treat keratosis pilaris by smoothing uneven and bumpy skin textures.

Benefits of Using Retinol in Lip Care

Lips are delicate and sensitive. A harsh and potent version of Retinoid cannot be used on lips because it might harm the lip barrier. Using gentler versions of Retinols or oils infused with retinol like Pracaxi Seed Oil can really aid you to attain your lip goals. You can use products that have Palmitoyl Tripeptide and Pracaxi Seed Oil combined for a much fuller, plump, and hydrated lips.

• Plump Lip Lines 

It plumps lip lines and provides juicier and fuller lips by accelerating the lip cell turnover process. Makes Lips Subtle and Unbelievably soft.

• Reduces Lip Pigmentation 

Using Retinol can really help with dead, dry, and dark lips. It goes deep into your lip cells and neutralizes the damage thereby healing lips and lip concerns from within.

• Boosts Lip Collagen 

Retinol has abilities to boost lip collagen production. It immensely increases the cell regeneration process and makes lips fuller, softer, and hydrated.

• Reduces Lip Aging 

Incorporating Retinol in your lip care regime can help you get rid of Lip wrinkles, Lip lines, Smoker’s Lips, and other signs of lip aging with regular and consistent usage.

Layering Retinol

• Retinol and Niacinamide 

Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative. Fortunately, it is safe to use both of them together. Niacinamide reduces acne and fights pigmentation and retinol reduces lip lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging by boosting collagen.

• Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid 

Hyaluronic Acid helps the skin to calm and cool down after using retinol. They both can hydrate the skin and quench the skin’s thirst. They are safe to layer just keep a check on their concentration levels.

• AHA BHA and Retinol

The negative side effects of retinol can get aggravated when you combine it with exfoliating ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxy acids. It is not advised to use exfoliators with Retinol.

• Retinol and Vitamin C 

Combining Vitamin C and Retinol can provide you with a multitude of benefits. Vitamin C, being a potent antioxidant lightens and brightens skin as well as lips, and Retinoid boosts collagen production and reduces the signs of aging. Both of them together will boost each other’s efficacy. Try using them at different times. You can follow an AM PM routine if you wish to. 

1. Retinoids or Retinol are not recommended during pregnancy. You should consult your doctor before taking any active ingredient even if it is safe, internally or externally while you are expecting a baby.

2.Many users claim skin irritation, redness, purging, and inflammation after using retinoid-based products or taking pills orally.

3.There are many health hazards also involved if a topical retinol serum is ingested orally.

4. You must always do a patch test before applying a product wholesomely.

5. Plant-based retinol has fewer side effects than conventional retinol.

6. When layering Retinol with other potent actives make sure they go well together. Chemicals might react with each other and change their composition when they do not align well with each other.

Conclusion 

Retinol is a notable ingredient in the world of skin and lip care. It has innumerable advantages ranging from youthful, bright, and plump skin to reducing pigmentation if used correctly with the right care and consistency. Use less potent retinol serums and products especially if you are a beginner. Remember to wrap it up with a proper balanced diet and drink loads of water to ensure your body is well hydrated from within.