Retin-A vs. Retinol

You may have heard both of these terms flying around Retin-A and Retinol. They are buzz words under the Anti-aging umbrella. Believe it or not, good Anti-aging science is pretty new even though the concept has been around forever. It is important to realize anti-aging is multifaceted, of course products are necessary and helpful. Remember burning your skin or sun damage on a regular basis, your diet, smoking,& drinking alcohol are aging factors that we do to ourselves. Although, genetics does play a role in our aging; if we aren't genetically blessed to look 30 when we're 50 then its important to avoid causing our own aging! Let's be realistic, there isn't a miracle in a jar that will ever make us look 20 again. But by taking proper care of our skin we can age gracefully. We are going to make you the best looking you!


What exactly do these products do?

Retin-A
This product can be bought over the counter and from your dermatologist. If you purchase this from your dermatologist you are buying a product with a higher percentage of the active ingredient than the over the counter products. Retin-A is a Vitamin A derived product. The reason this is so anti-aging is because the vitamin A helps to speed up the cell turn over process. As we age our cell turn over begins to slow down. This is when you may notice a dullness or an increase of dehydration in the skin. When the cells are removed regularly any hydrating or antioxidant product actually has a better percentage rate of effectiveness. Without removing our dead cells, these often expensive products are wasted. Retin-A is probably in the same category as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's). They work on the epidermis(surface), by removing the dead cells. Retin-A is just a much stronger ingredient than AHA's.

Retinol
This is also a Vitamin A derived product. The difference is that the chemical make up is different. Retinol is absorbed and reacts to chemical changes in the skin that transform retinol into retinoic acid. The molecule is smaller which allows it to penetrate the epidermis and react at the dermis. At the dermis, the product stimulates collagen production and begins to help heal damaged cell from the inside out. The cell turn over is increased, but Retinol doesn't REMOVE dead cells. Remember Retin-A, AHA's, and scrubs (all of different strengths) remove dead cells. In actuality these products have the derivative of Vitamin A as the common trait, but they do different jobs.

Which one is best for you?
This question can be tricky. If anti-aging is your concern, my person recommendation would be Retinol. Exfoliation, which is just good skin care, I'd recommend Retin-A, AHA's, and a scrub. A scrub is universal, everyone should use a scrub if they aren't sensitive. Retin-A's can be very helpful for acne skin, sluffing the skin to get the blemish out quicker than our own natural sluffing is helpful in the healing process. Either way it is important to discuss what is best for your individual skin with a licenced esthetician.