Acne? Keratosis Pilaris? Wrinkles? Lines? Acne scars? Uneven skin tone? Then it might be time for you to talk to your dermatologist about using Retinol. Retinol is used to treat numerous skin conditions and even out the color of your skin. These products can be found online at SkinDirect or prescribed by your doctor.  The latter is usually a higher percentage of retinol, which is why it needs a prescription.

Retinol is used to treat many things, as mentioned above. It increases the cell turnover rate which is why dermatologists recommend it for the treatment of several different skin conditions and signs of aging. Common skin conditions, such as Keratosis Pilaris, can also be treated with the use of Retinol. It is usually comes in 2%, 5%, and 10%, depending on the severity of what you are trying to treat.

Retinol products work great with hyperpigmentation and sun spots because of the increased cellular turnover rate it causes. By helping stimulate new cell growth, old cells will diminish and a new layer of skin can appear. It also increases the production of collagen which works great in filling in lines and wrinkles. Continuous use will reveal newer, softer skin without certain problems you had before.

It is usually best and safest to start with the lowest percentage of retinol if your skin is not accustomed to it. After using the entire product of low strength retinol, you can then proceed to increase the percentage if your skin handled it fine with no negative reactions. Your dermatologist will recommend the best percentage for your specific skin and instruct you on how to use retinol skin care products.

We see this word a lot when browsing through the labels of skin care products. But what exactly is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is the increase in the natural color of the skin caused by exposure to ultra-violet radiation from the sun. Melanin is the pigment in your skin that gives you your tan and is responsible for skin color. Over time, the skin begins to lose its ability to repair itself after harmful sun exposure, which results in the splotches of melanin around different parts of your face or body. Even people with darker skin tones can be more prone to hyperpigmentation after sun exposure.

Although the sun is a huge culprit of hyperpigmentation, it’s not the only factor. Inflammation and other skin injuries, even certain types of acne, can cause your skin to appear discolored in certain areas and spots.

If you notice any darker pigments or splotches on your skin, there are different types of topical treatments you may want to consider. Hydroquinone is a skin brightening treatment used in certain products to lighten areas of the skin that have been affected by sun exposure or age spots. Products containing Retinol are another option because retinol goes deep within the skins surface to promote cell renewal, which can help increase your natural tone and color.

Many skin care products are advertising the special ingredient Retinol. But what exactly is retinol and what does it do for our skin?

Retinol is basically another form of Vitamin A that is found in animals and humans. It’s important for vision and bone growth, as well as skin treatments. Because of its small molecular structure, it is able to penetrate deep into our skin to stimulate cell renewal. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and helps to regain the skin’s elasticity and structure. More and more skin care products today are using retinol in their formulas to treat these aging symptoms in our skin as well as even out skin tone and pigmentation.

There are different types of Retinol products for your skin depending on the area of your face you want to treat. Specially formulated eye creams contain Retinol to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area because this skin is very sensitive and thinner than the rest of your face. Brands such as SkinCeuticals, MD Forte, and Taheri make these various Retinol products to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet for your eye area and the rest of your face.

Overall, retinol is proven to improve the appearance and texture of your skin by reducing the symptoms of aging such as wrinkles and skin sagginess. Each product uses different strengths of retinol so talk to your dermatologist to find out which type works best for your skin.