Confused About Skin-Normalizing Vitamin A and its Derivatives?

There are over 2500 vitamin A derivatives, technically known as retinoids. It’s no wonder you may be confused.

Topical retinoids work as cell-communicating ingredients which direct skin cells to behave in a normal youthful manner. Since retinoids help to normalize the cells, they can benefit such diverse conditions as oily skin with acne and dry photo-aged skin with wrinkles.

Some topical forms of retinoids are:

• Prescription strength tretinoin (a.k.a. retinoic acid) found in Retin-A and Renova,
• Retinol – the entire vitamin A molecule,
• Retinyl palmitate – which accounts for 80% of the vitamin A found naturally in healthy skin,
• Retinyl acetate,
• Retinal (a.k.a. retinaldehyde or vitamin A aldehyde), and
• Retinyl linoleate.

Some skin conditions which benefit from application of topical retinoids are:

• Acne
• Oily skin
• Wrinkles
• Uneven skin tone
• Actinic Keratoses (pre-cancerous lesions)
• Flat Warts
• Psoriasis
• Keratosis Piliaris (red or white horny, pointed plugs around the hair follicles)

How to Choose and Use Retinoid Products
If you have been prescribed a prescription strength retinoid, your doctor no doubt gave you a list of things to watch for.

If you experience any of the following after the first couple weeks of treatment, it may indicate that you are too sensitive to the dosage or type of vitamin A derivative.

• Redness
• Burning
• Stinging
• Peeling which does not subside

Come back tomorrow for some Things to Know about Retinoid Skincare.

Tags: retinoids, retinol, anti-aging skincare, retinoids stimulate new collagen, retinoid strength, retinoid tips, sun protection and retinoids, how to use retinoids