The Power of Retinol: The best anti-aging secret you need to know about

Shhh…we have a secret. Have you noticed an ingredient called Retinol in some of your skin care products and are wondering what it does? Well, it’s our best kept secret for anti-aging. We’ve put together a short guide for you that will help to break it all down, from what it is, to how it works, and what Clinique K can do for you in the Retinol department!

What Is Retinol?
Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A and a form of retinoid, is a potent ingredient that is not commonly found in every skin care line at your local pharmacy or department store. It is only found in high-end night creams or serums, which are available for purchase at dermatology or plastic surgery medical clinics. Retinol is not only a trusted component to combat acne, but also a rich antioxidant that helps prevent and slow down the free-radical damage process that ages our skin, such as wrinkles, fine lines, sun damage, and age spots.

What Does It Do?
When absorbed into the skin, retinol is broken down and converted into retinoid acid, which is a compound that connects to almost any cell and tells them to behave like healthy, younger skin cells. Retinol is effective as it is one of only a few substances that is able to penetrate the epidermis and reach skin receptors to stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin, brighten skin, fade hyperpigmentation, and unclog pores.

Will Retinol Make You Skin Sensitive to the Sun & When Is It Best to Apply It?
Although retinol itself is very sensitive to sunlight, it will not make your skin any more vulnerable to UV rays. Before you get to bed, you should use a retinol cream to repair and transform your skin, and then follow that in the morning with SPF30 (minimum) for daily skin protection from the sun. It is actually recommended to begin using a retinoid in the summer, as humidity helps to keep your skin from drying out! However, if you are going away on a sunny vacation for more than a couple of days, the use of nightly retinol should be avoided for the duration of your stay!

What Products Should You Be Using?
Most people do not do enough research or do not invest in the right products when it comes to skin care, but we’re here to change that and make Clinique K the one-stop shop for all your anti-aging needs! The product line that we are most excited about for its anti-aging benefits is ZO Skin Health by Dr. Zein Obagi and it just happens to also be exclusive to our clinic. We have fallen in love with ZO Skin Health as it contains the right level of retinol that is completely safe for the face, and features an array of products from face cream, to eye cream, and body lotion!