It’s almost impossible to find a single person on this planet (except for maybe a few isolated tribes) who wishes they had smoother, fairer, and more evenly-toned skin.
In other words, we all want to look younger. But the older you get, the harder it becomes to achieve that fresh-faced glow. Fortunately, plenty of skincare products can help you maintain your youthful appearance inside and out!
Retinoid cream is one such skincare product; it works in multiple ways to diminish wrinkles, reduce acne scars, and even reduce the visibility of pores!
Sounds amazing, right? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about using retinoid cream in your skincare routine!
What’s a Retinoid Cream?
Retinoids are a type of vitamin A derivative that helps boost collagen production and skin cell turnover to help minimize the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, and acne. You can also use them to treat conditions such as psoriasis or ichthyosis. Many different types of retinoids are available for purchase, but retinol and tretinoin are the two most popular.
Of course, there’s much more to know about retinoids than just these two names. Retinoid cream is a topical application of tretinoin (Retin-A) that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation while boosting collagen production.
How Do Retinoids Work?
Retinoids work by increasing cell turnover and thinning the outer layer of skin. It allows for a more even skin tone, fewer wrinkles, and reduced acne scarring. The most common type of retinoid is tretinoin, which you can find in Renova, Avita, or Tretinoin (brand name Retin-A).
Starting with a lower concentration, like Renova, may be best if you have sensitive skin. The side effects of tretinoin are usually mild but could include dryness, irritation, redness, and peeling on the face.
Benefits of Adding Retinoid Cream To Your Skincare Routine
Retinoid creams are prescription-strength anti-aging products that have the following benefits:
- Reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation: There are also over-the-counter retinoids, which are less powerful but are still effective for reducing wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation. Some common ingredients in retinoids are vitamin A and tretinoin.
- Improve skin hydration and barrier function: Retinoid cream helps improve skin hydration by stimulating the production of epidermal lipids like ceramides and fatty acids. These lipids create a barrier on the skin to keep water from escaping.
- Promote skin renewal: They encourage cells within your skin to grow more quickly, creating new cells to replace old ones when they die off faster than usual.
- Get rid of acne scars: Retinoids can reduce acne scars, according to some studies. Other studies have shown that while it may not eliminate them, it will make them less noticeable.
- Treat melisma: Retinoids can treat melasma caused by pregnancy or birth control pills because they increase pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.
In Conclusion
Retinoids are the most potent topical anti-aging ingredient available. They’re so effective that dermatologists prescribe them to treat acne, eczema, and psoriasis. When applied topically, retinoids work by regulating skin cell production to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, brightening dark areas and evening out skin tone.
If you want to get the most out of your skincare routine, adding a retinoid cream is a must.