If you have spent any time shopping for skin care products, you may have come across retinol cream and wondered if it’s something you need to add to your skin care kit. This cream has a number of uses, but it may not be the right skin care choice for everyone. Retinol cream is typically sold over the counter at most pharmacies and beauty counters, but there are several different products that require a prescription, depending on the retinol concentration contained in the formulation.
Before you purchase any cream that contains retinol, you should first understand what retinol is used for so that you can use it safely. There are three common uses for retinol cream that include fighting the signs of aging, treating acne, and for fading dark spots caused by sun damage.
Retinol Cream Treats Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Retinol cream is most commonly used to fight lines and wrinkles that are close to the surface of the skin. The retinol contained within the cream encourages skin cells to behave normally and boosts the skin’s ability to shed unhealthy or dead cells. When new skin cells are created, so is new collagen, a protein that keeps the skin elastic and firm. The more new collagen that is created, the firmer the skin becomes, which makes it appear younger.
Retinol cream also often contains other ingredients that prevent dull, dry skin, such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, both of which keep the skin hydrated, as fine lines and wrinkles are more noticeable when the skin is dry.Retinol Cream for Acne
Another common use for retinol cream is for the treatment of acne. This type of retinol cream is usually obtained from a dermatologist and contains anywhere from 0.5% to one or two percent retinol. Retinol in this concentration works to fight acne by forcing the skin to shed its uppermost layers, which eliminates damaged skin and acne bacteria.
In addition, because retinol is so effective at stimulating cell communication, it can help to repair pore walls to reduce the risk of new acne breakouts. When pores are healthy, unclogged, and dead and dying skin cells are shed more effectively to prevent them from blocking pores, acne is reduced and new, healthy skin is revealed.
Before you decide to ask your dermatologist for a retinoid cream for acne, keep in mind that these prescription-strength medications are quite volatile and may cause peeling, burning, flaking, and itching in those with sensitive skin.
Retinol Cream for Fading Dark Spots
If you’re looking for a retinol cream that’s most commonly sold over the counter, then you’ll find them at your pharmacy or beauty supply store in the form of products that fade dark spots. Dark spots that form on the face or hands are most commonly caused by sun exposure, as this is the skin that is the most exposed to the sun on a daily basis. However, retinol cream can be effective in fading these spots because retinol causes the skin to boost its cell-shedding process. Over time, the dark spots become less noticeable as layers of damaged skin are shed.
