What is it and what is it for?

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A widely used in cosmetics for its antioxidant properties. It not only has an important anti-ageing function, but is also particularly suitable for treating oily skin as it has a sebum-regulating action, helping to eliminate impurities and actively combating pimples and acne that can affect our skin.

This does not mean that only those with oily, acne-prone or pimple-prone skin can benefit from this active ingredient. Even dry skin can benefit from a retinol treatment, provided that the creams used are also rich in ceramides, substances that compact the skin while promoting cell regeneration. It is often thought that retinol is excessively aggressive on the skin, but this belief must be dispelled as the percentage found in cosmetics today varies from 0.1 to 1%, making it safe and well tolerated even by the most delicate skin.

WHEN SHOULD IT NOT BE USED? Retinol can be photosensitising, i.e. it is capable of increasing the skin's sensitivity to sunlight and consequently could promote the occurrence of sunspots and/or sunburn. This is why its application is advisable only and exclusively at night, while in the morning, after cleansing the face thoroughly, products based on moisturising active ingredients combined with an SPF30 -protection factor- are recommended.

Depending on the quality of the product purchased, the first results may already start to be visible after 15 days of treatment. To begin with, it is advisable to choose a product with a low concentration of retinol, starting with 0.1 - 0.3 % and going up to 1 % in more advanced stages. Once the most suitable product has been selected, retinol should be applied, at least initially, no more than a couple of times a week, especially if the skin is particularly sensitive or stressed. Retinol acts on the skin by first creating a slight desquamation, in some cases even causing it to dry out or redden. As soon as the skin has become accustomed to this active ingredient, what we will be able to observe will be a skin that is smooth, firm to the touch and radiant to the eye.

Retinol in the INCI list of a cosmetic is usually identifiable by the term Retinyl Palmitate, but there may also be different terms. We can therefore add it to the list of products that cannot be missing in our beauty!

Be careful not to confuse retinol with retinoic acid, which is a real drug that should only be prescribed by a doctor.