Skincare - What is Retinol?

There are so many skin creams available these days, pore minimising cream, anti-aging cream, firming cream, etc, all claiming to rejuvenate your skin with the latest breakthrough skincare ingredients, one such ingredient that is used in many skin creams is Retinol (aka Retin A). So what exactly is Retinol and should you be using it in your skincare routine?

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A belonging to the family of chemical compounds known as Retinoids.

Similar compounds include :
Tretinoin (Retin A)
Isotretinoin (Accutane or Roaccutane)
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A or Pro Vitamin A)

You may recognize these ingredients as they are widely used in anti aging creams and acne treatments as well as body lotions, moisturizers, eye creams, hand creams etc.

Retinol is the purest form of Vitamin A and works actively in the skin to repair and encourage skin cell renewal. Retinol contains molecules that are small enough to penetrate the outer layers (epidermis) of your skin where it can then go to work in the lower layers of your skin (endodermis), this is where your skins collagen and elastin is, which is why is is used in anti aging creams. Retinol also has a exfoliating effect on your skin which is why it is used in a lot of acne creams, this exfoliating effect unclogs pores and along with the added advantage of encouraging skin renewal, retinol can help reduce the appearance of scars.

Benefits of using products containing Retinol :

For aging skin :

Encourages Skin Renewal
Repairs Photo Damaged (Sun Damage) Skin
Smooths Wrinkles Over Time
Retinol is an Antioxidant
Even Skin Pigmentation (Dark Spots, Uneven Skin Tone)
Dramatically Improves Skins Appearance


For Acne Prone Skin :

Unclogs Pores
Reduces The Appearance of Scars
Encourages Skin Renewal

Creams and Lotions containing Retinol have dramatic and long lasting effects on the skin, retinol is highly recommended for use in eye creams, moisturisers, lip balms, etc. due to it's skin rejuvenating qualities.

What are the Best Body Moisturizers for Different Skin Types.

If you are constantly confused as to which is the best body moisturiser to use or more importantly which is the best for your particular skin type then this article will help you to choose the right product and tell you what you should be looking for in a body lotion to cater to your individual needs.

Knowing what skin type you have is key to choosing the correct body lotion.

SKIN TYPES.

Normal skin - indications include : Skin with an even tone that appears smooth, feels soft and does not suffer from dryness, blemishes, etc.

Oily skin - indications include : Skin that is prone to blemishes and breakouts especially on the back, chest and shoulders, extreme cases of oily skin can be prone to acne.

Dry skin - indications include : Skin that is prone to dry, rough patches and irritates easily, extreme cases of dry skin can be prone to eczema or psoriasis.

There are of course exceptions to these 3 skin types, you could have a combination of the 3 types for example, you may have dry skin on your legs and arms but oily skin on your back and chest, or you may have mostly oily skin with a few dry patches. By using the above indicators you can determine which skin type you have, if you have combination skin you may need to use 2 different moisturisers, read on to find out which ingredients work best for different skin types.


WHAT PRODUCTS TO USE FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE


Normal Skin : If you have this skin type you are extremely lucky! You may think that because you don't have skin problems that you do not need to moisturize regularly and people with this skin type often neglect their skin. You do however need to keep your skin hydrated to keep it smooth and supple, you should be using a light textured, vitamin enriched body lotion with cucumber or aloe vera to keep your skin supple and beautiful.

Oily Skin : If you have oily skin you may be wary of using moisturizers but there are lots of body lotions that are formulated for this skin type that will not block your pores so knowing the right ingredients to look for in a moisturizer is key. Use a light, oil free, noncomedogenic ( does not block pores ), ph balanced body lotion containing zinc and retin A or lemongrass to keep your skin oil free and beautiful.

Dry Skin : If you have dry skin you need to use a fragrance free, rich textured body lotion containing vitamin E, honey extract, shea butter or neem oil to keep your skin smooth, soft and beautiful.


Articles on how to manage eczema or acne prone skin are upcoming.

Check the archive for more great beauty tips and tricks.

Anti-Aging Tips

This is my first post and I have decided to begin with tips for aging skin. From your 20's onwards your skin will start to lose it's elasticity and gradually become less firm and plump. This is inevitable, it is a natural progression, but it is easy to understand why women panic at the first signs of aging. There are a lot of things that you can do to slow down the aging process and the sooner you start the better.

Here I am going to tell you exactly what you should be doing to keep your skin as fresh and youthful as possible.

Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day, this keeps your skin hydrated and flushes out toxins from your body.

Take a silica complex supplement every day, silica is a naturally occurring mineral in your body and is vital for healthy skin, hair and nails.

If you are buying an anti-aging cream look for these ingredients ; 15% glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, and retin A, these are key for rejuvenating aging skin.

Take an omega - 3 Fatty Acid supplement or even better eat raw nuts and oily fish 2-3 times a week. Omega - 3 acts as a anti-inflammatory and is excellent for your skin.

Eat green and red vegetables, these contain natural nutrients and anti-oxidants that prevent the formation of free radicals which damage cells and contribute to skin aging. The high water content of these vegetables also helps keep your skin hydrated.

Limit your sugar intake, sugar acts as an oxidant, having the opposite effect to an anti - oxidant.

If you follow these simple tips you will see a fantastic difference in your skin and keep your youthful look for longer.