An anti-aging molecule that actually works? No, really!

I get asked all the time about skin care products by clients who are concerned about age-related changes of their skin. There are LOTS of options out there; every day we are bombarded with TV and magazine ads for products claiming to smooth wrinkles and make you look younger. But how do we really know if they work? What if I told you that there is an ingredient that actually does reverse the aging process?

Aging skin differs from young skin in many ways. Aging skin is thinner, has brown spots, and shows fine wrinkles. Younger skin has uniform texture and pigment. How can we make older skin look like younger skin? Retinol, that’s how!

Retinol is available in many topical forms and has been extensively researched. Multiple scientific studies have examined its effect on aging skin. It improves wrinkles. It improves pigment problems. It improves your skin texture. It stimulates collagen production in your skin. It helps acne!

Retinols aren’t for everyone. If you’re pregnant or hope to become pregnant, you shouldn’t use them because we know that they can cause birth defects when ingested. We don’t know if this same effect happens if you put them on your skin, but it’s best to not take the risk. Additionally, those with sensitive skin may not be able to tolerate a retinol.

When I started using a retinol for my cystic acne, I mistakenly got some medication on the thin skin around my eyes that got really irritated. Now we have a retinol formulation for use specifically around the eyes that is a lot gentler.

If you want your skin to look its best, a topical retinol should be an integral part of your daily skin care regimen. Take at look at what it did for me.