It’s hard to name a beauty expert who hasn’t raved about the wonders of retinoids – aka retinol. Dermatologists often refer to retinoids as the gold-standard in anti-ageing, and with very good reason. But while you may have heard of retinoids, it’s still quite tricky to know where to actually begin with this skincare superhero – so let us break it down for you.
First thing’s first, let's discuss what a retinoid is and how it works. Retinoid is the umbrella term for vitamin A derivatives, including retinol – arguably the most well-known and popular member of the family. Other examples of retinoid ingredients include: tretinoin, a prescription-grade retinoid used for both anti-ageing and acne; adapalene, a gentler prescription-grade retinoid used predominantly for acne; retinal/retinaldehyde, an oxidised form of retinol; tazarotene, a prescription-grade retinoid used to treat acne and specific skin conditions; and retinyl esters, a very mild and stable retinoid.
Whichever deriviative you opt for, they all convert to retinoic acid at some stage, which is the most potent and active component. All retinoids help to speed up cell turnover, which is the rate at which your skin sheds dead cells. As you age, this process naturally slows down, and when these dead cells start to pile up, your skin can look dull, making wrinkles appear more pronounced. Retinoids kick cell turnover into gear, allowing for fresh, radiant cells to surface, creating a smooth, renewed appearance and reducing the look of lines, wrinkles and pores.
***Consumer testing on 349, 343, 342 women respectively, after 4 weeks of product use.
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