Traditional retinol has long been a mainstay in skin care, finding its place in topical formulations that target visible signs of aging. Unfortunately, for some people, the benefits of traditional retinol come with a number of unpleasant side effects. If you want to learn more about traditional retinol but want to avoid the side effects, you’ve come to the right place. Read our guide to traditional retinol in skin care and how to incorporate natural alternatives into your daily life.
What is retinol?
Traditional retinol is a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, an essential antioxidant for healthy eyes and skin. The body cannot produce this vitamin on its own, so it must be supplied through the diet or applied topically to the skin. It is often added to skin care products due to its ability to promote skin cell turnover, build collagen, fight free radicals, and target fine lines and wrinkles.
How does retinol work?
For your skin to benefit from retinol, enzymes in your body must convert it to retinoic acid (also known as retinoic acid). tretinoin), the active form of vitamin A. Retinoic acid works at the cellular level to optimize several functions that improve skin health and vitality. These features include:
Promotes skin cell turnover
Skin growth and repair requires efficient cell turnover. As a child, skin cells are naturally replaced every two weeks. However, in your 20s, the turnover process begins to slow down every 28 to 35 days. Once you reach the age of 50, it takes 45 to 90 days for dead skin cells to completely fall off the surface of your skin. As a result, the skin becomes dry, thin, and hyperpigmented. Traditional retinol encourages surface cell turnover faster, allowing your skin to grow healthy cells and remove dead layers more efficiently.
Stimulates collagen and elastin production
Over time, your skin’s stores of collagen and elastin (proteins that provide your skin with the support and elasticity it needs) begin to become depleted. Suddenly, your skin becomes less dense and begins to look plump and smooth. When collagen and elastin production decreases, the skin begins to loosen and sag, causing fine lines and wrinkles. Retinoic acid not only stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin, but also prevents their breakdown and maintains skin elasticity (aka, allowing it to bounce back).
neutralizes free radicals
90% of skin aging is caused by environmental factors such as pollution, blue light, and UV rays. These stressors expose the skin. Free radicals — A highly reactive molecule that causes oxidative stress and damages healthy skin cells. If left untreated, this can reduce the structural integrity of the skin and lead to premature aging. The antioxidant properties of traditional retinol neutralize free radicals and reduce their reactivity, thereby improving skin elasticity.
Retinol benefits and side effects
Due to these actions, traditional retinol provides the following benefits:
- removes dead skin cells
- Eliminate traffic jams
- tighten pores
- Smoothes uneven skin texture
- Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles
- Maintains firm and plump skin
- Makes dark stains less noticeable
However, regular use of traditional retinol can cause the following side effects:
- drying
- peeling
- redness
- itch
- stimulation
- UV sensitivity
Most dermatologists advise avoiding traditional retinol if you suffer from rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, or other inflammatory skin conditions. It also cannot be used by people with sensitive or extremely dry skin.
Alternatives to retinol
You can enjoy the benefits of traditional retinol (and avoid its side effects) by choosing a natural, plant-based alternative like bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is an extract obtained from bakuchiol leaves and seeds. Babuchi plant.is used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine in India Although it has been used for hundreds of years, it has only recently been introduced into the modern skin care world.
Powerful plant-based bakuchiol provides many of the same results as traditional retinol without any serious side effects or concerns. A gentle and effective method to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, restore firmness, improve skin texture and even out skin tone.
Bakuchiol benefits
Doesn’t irritate
Peeling, redness, and sensitivity are often associated with topical treatments. Retinoid. Bakuchiol is well tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin, and can be used day or night (Traditional retinol is supposed to only come out after dark.) This is a great advantage as it does not cause sun sensitivity.
Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
clinical research They demonstrated that bakuchiol may minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its ability to promote cell turnover results in smoother, more even-looking skin by increasing elasticity and firmness. Incorporating bakuchiol into your skin care routine can help you achieve younger-looking, rejuvenated skin.
Improves firmness and elasticity
As skin ages, it is common for it to lose elasticity and firmness. This loss of elasticity can be caused by reduced natural oil production, pollution, and oxidative stress from sunlight and gravity. According to research, Similar to traditional retinol, bakuchiol can improve skin firmness and elasticity. Bakuchiol slows the breakdown of collagen and increases elasticity, giving the skin a firmer, plumper, and firmer appearance.
Evens out skin tone
Uneven skin tone can appear in many different ways. Hyperpigmentation, which appears as age spots, dark spots, and uneven texture, can be caused by sun damage, melasma, and acne scars. Traditional retinol is often suggested as a way to reduce the appearance of dark spots, but it is a slow process and can irritate the skin. Bakuchiol is a safer alternative to traditional retinol for people who want to even out their skin tone. Promotes cell turnover without causing inflammation.
suitable for all skin types
As mentioned earlier, bakuchiol is generally well tolerated by all skin types. Whether you have oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin, or a combination thereof, this is an ingredient that is almost guaranteed to work. As with all new ingredients, it makes sense to start slowly and see how your skin reacts, but it’s safe to say that your skin is likely to like it and love the results.
How to add natural retinol to your daily skin care routine
If you like the sound of this plant-based retinol alternative, our new Bakuchiol + Niacinamide collection might be just what your skin needs. We have developed two new products that harness the benefits of Bakuchiol and Niacinamide, another major skin care multitasker. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, locks in moisture, minimizes large pores, improves uneven skin tone, softens fine lines, and visibly brightens skin. As I said earlier, I am a versatile multitasker.
The new collection includes two products, a moisturizer and an SPF liquid, which introduce a combination of ingredients designed to hydrate, replenish, and protect your skin while leaving it soft and smooth. doing.
Our Bakuchiol + Niacinamide Moisturizer helps restore skin’s natural hydration and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. This gel cream moisturizer is formulated with a combination of retinol alternative Bakuchiol and niacinamide, plus hydrating panthenol. This trio visibly tightens skin without causing visible irritation, helping to smooth wrinkles while minimizing large pores and uneven texture.
During the day, we recommend adding Radiant Protection SPF Fluid. This is an all-mineral SPF that helps protect your skin from the sun’s harsh effects while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. With a hydrating, nourishing feel and dewy finish, this SPF provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection for combination to dry skin while keeping skin ageless.
Natural Retinol Alternatives
Another way to enjoy the benefits of traditional retinol (and avoid the side effects) is to use products containing our proprietary retinol. Natural Retinol Alternatives. This formula is derived from extracts of chicory root and tara tree, two natural compounds that help create a complex that mimics the effects of traditional retinol with its skin-lifting and tightening effects. If you’re looking to add another retinol-like ingredient to your skin care routine, our natural retinol alternatives improve skin firmness and elasticity and minimize visible signs of aging.
One of our favorite products with natural retinol alternatives, Monoi Age Corrective Exfoliating Cleanser is infused with exotic Monoi and finely ground olive seeds. This sophisticated cleanser rejuvenates your skin for a lifted look. It also removes impurities and surface debris, promoting the appearance of smooth skin.
You can also add a retinol-free treatment step to your skin care routine with Bamboo Firming Fluid. Formulated with our natural retinol substitute, this silky concentrate smooths fine lines and wrinkles and tightens skin. Contains bamboo and coconut as additional ingredients to help tone the skin, leaving it firm and ageless.
eminence organic Both customers and fans Judysays in a 5-star review: This formula is incredibly lightweight, absorbs quickly, and leaves skin feeling soft, supple, and well-hydrated. I noticed a significant improvement in the firmness and texture of my skin, especially around my eyes. Fine lines and wrinkles become less noticeable, and your complexion looks brighter and more radiant. ”
For best results, apply Bamboo Firming Fluid after your favorite toner and before moisturizing your skin. As with all Eminence organic skin care products, a little goes a long way. Just apply a thin layer to keep your skin soft and smooth and prevent wrinkles.
Are you using traditional retinol for your skin care? Want to switch to natural and organic alternatives? Visit your local Eminence Organics Spa to find the products that are right for you.
