Does Your Retinol Measure Up?

Retinol is one the most popular and effective ingredients among today's anti-aging skincare products. With decades of clinical studies and data proving its efficacy, it proves time and time again its powerful corrective qualities. Just what is this wonder ingredient and how does it work? Retinol is a form of vitamin A that, when applied to the surface of the skin, turns to retinoic acid with the help of our skin’s natural enzymes. Retinoic acid speeds up the process at which our skin cells replicate and shed. It boosts the production of healthy collagen, and curbs the production of melanin, in turn, reducing wrinkles and brown spots.

Retinol can be found in a variety of concentrations and formulas in products. Finding the right one for you depends on several factors including skin sensitivity, level of correction desired, and budget.

Though it is advised to start with a product containing a low percentage of retinol, too low might not be worth it. Many popular drugstore brands boasting powerful ingredients and miraculous results contain only trace amounts of retinol that most likely won’t stand up the claims. Even though they are some of the most affordable, when you compare the amount of active ingredients you may be shocked at how little they actually contain. In a comparison, article published by Futurederm they give a closer look at where drugstore brands weigh-in compared to medical grade skincare products.

“In general, Neutrogena and RoC products tend to contain a low level of retinol. For instance, brands like Skinceuticals sell retinol in the concentration it is commonly used in studies, 0.5%-1.0%. In talks I’ve had with cosmetic chemists in the past, they have estimated the concentration of retinol in drugstore products like Neutrogena and RoC to be around 0.025%”

What does that look like bottle to bottle? When we breakdown the math that means Skinceuticals is 20-40 times more potent than the leading drugstore or over the counter brands! Touching on potency, I want to discuss the prescription level of retinoic acid, best known as Retin-A or Tretinoin. This category of retinoic acid is 20-100 times more potent than even the best retinols! Typically used for serious skin resurfacing, correction and FDA approved for the treatment of acne. Prescription retin-A will deliver the most rapid and dramatic results. These medicated levels are not suitable for women who are pregnant or nursing and can cause minor skin irritation so they should only be used with guidance from your physician or esthetician practicing under a medical license.

The Laser Loft carries a wide variety of retinol products through the Obagi and Skinceuticals brands. As an esthetician and skincare expert, I would love to pair the right product to your personal needs so you can see the results you’ve been trying countless products to achieve!

The Laser Loft also carries Retin-A (tretinoin), which is available by prescription only. If your interested in using Retin-A as part of your skin care regimen, please contact our office at (614)419-4238.

Purchase A Retinol