You’ve probably heard about retinol if you’re a skin-care addict looking to maintain as much youthfulness as possible. The substance is frequently cited as having the best anti-wrinkle and other skin-imperfections properties, including acne.

Yet, what precisely is retinol and how does it function? Consider this everything you need to know about the popular skin-care ingredient.

What Is Retinol?

Retinol is a product of vitamin A, which plays a critical function in helping cells regenerate.

What Are Retinoids?

According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, retinoids, which are related to retinol (more on that later), were initially released in 1971 as a treatment for psoriasis, acne, wrinkles and other age indications, and various malignancies.

Tretinoin topical (Retin-A), in accordance with Harvard Health Publications, was the first retinoid to hit the market. While initially used to treat acne, it has since been discovered to encourage cell turnover and lighten pigmented lesions on the skin.

Nowadays, retinoids like retinol are renowned for their anti-aging properties. Retinoids have a reputation that has been built over years of scientific support, according to Dr. Saedi. It has been around for a very long time, and from the data we have, it actually does function, according to Saedi.

What Separates Retinoids from Retinols?

Although both retinoids and retinols belong to the vitamin A family, their potencies vary. It’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case the backup fails. On the other hand, retinoids can only be obtained in larger quantities with a prescription.

Even if retinols are weaker, they still function, albeit you need to commit to 12 weeks of use to observe improvements, Saedi explains. She explains that due of their decreased potency, drugs just take longer to work. One advantage of over-the-counter retinols is that they are frequently combined with moisturizers, which makes them less irritating and makes the formulation overall kinder on the skin.

How Retinoids and Retinols Function

According to Saedi, the active ingredient in retinols and retinoids is retinoic acid, which is what causes an increase in cell turnover. “Retinoids get converted to retinoic acid, so they’re faster acting and more potent,” the author claims. “Retinols undergo several changes to their formulation in order to become retinoic acid.

According to a 2010 study, the acid essentially functions by passing through the cell membrane and attaching to receptors on the cell’s nucleus, where it acts like a gene to stimulate cell growth. A 2015 study found that collagenase, an enzyme that degrades collagen, cannot be produced when retinoic acid is present. Collagen production wanes with age. It needs to be protected: More collagen equals plumper, more voluminous skin with good elasticity, which means fewer wrinkles and less drooping, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Who Should Take Retinoids and Retinol, as Well as Its Advantages

Younger-looking skin is one of these products’ main advantages. The same 2015 study discovered that after 12 weeks of use, a 0.1 percent retinol treatment decreased the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes by 39 percent and on the cheeks by 64 percent.

Less breakouts are a result of greater cell turnover. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne can heal up as cells regenerate, pores become unblocked, and skin becomes clearer.

Starting in adolescence, Saedi advises everyone to take retinoids in some form. For teens, it can help clean up pimples and acne, while individuals in their twenties and beyond benefit from the wrinkle prevention and treatment, she says.

Retinoids and retinol Risks and Possible Adverse Effects

There can be some negative side effects, however. According to a 2015 study, retinoic acid can irritate skin, typically manifesting as redness, burning, and scaling. The unfavorable side effects increase as a product’s concentration increases. Sheel Desai Solomon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Preston Dermatology and Skin Surgery in Cary, North Carolina, explains that because prescription retinoids are more active, they can irritate the skin more quickly and for a longer period of time.

Since the skin will develop a tolerance over time, even if you may initially suffer some redness and irritation (due to the higher skin turnover), your skin may be better able to tolerate the component after a few weeks. According to Dr. Solomon, the skin eventually becomes more resistant to irritation while still receiving the benefits of retinoids.

Most dermatologists recommend easing your way into use to avoid an unpleasant reaction. Every third night is usually a good place to start, followed by every other night (after a week or two) and eventually every night, advises Saedi. She suggests starting with an OTC retinol and working your way up to a prescription level as your skin becomes more tolerant.

Manish Shah, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon with a practice in Denver, advises patients to specifically search for an over-the-counter medicine with a concentration of at least 0.25 percent. This is the bare minimum concentration required for it to work; if your skin is not extremely sensitive, you may choose for a higher concentration. Finding the strength and frequency that work best for your skin may need some trial and error, but it’s a worthy endeavor. It only takes some getting used to for your skin, according to Saedi, who claims that almost everyone can use some formulation of it.

Dr. Shah advises sandwiching the retinol between moisturizer treatments to reduce irritation. That won’t interfere with the retinol absorption into the skin, he explains.

The optimal time to use retinols and retinoids is shortly after washing your face at night. Considering that exposure to the sun may cause problems. Saedi advises using retinoic acid at night because sunlight can destroy it. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, retinoic acid can also increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight because newly exposed skin is thin and vulnerable. That shouldn’t stop you from utilizing these products over the summer, according to Saedi. Simply remember to wear sunscreen during the day.

Finally, if you are pregnant, stop using retinoids or retinols. Retinol consumption has been associated to birth abnormalities, according to a research published in 2011.

Retinol and Retinoids: Commonly Asked Questions

These are responses to frequently asked questions about retinol and retinoids:

What Are Retinoids Used For?

Retinoids are utilized to support youthful, healthy-looking skin. According to studies, the substance can minimize wrinkles and prevent breakouts.

Is Retinol a Retinoid?

Retinol is indeed a subclass of retinoid. Retinols, in Saedi’s opinion, are retinoids’ less potent cousins. Retinoids normally need a prescription, whereas retinols are sold without a prescription.

Is Retinoid Better Than Retinol?

Depending on your search criteria. Retinoids are stronger than other compounds. They are more effective than retinols, which are typically sold without a prescription. But, because they are more strong, there is also a higher chance of unfavorable side effects.

What Is the Best Retinol Product?

While selecting a product for you, take into account the product’s strength, type, and ingredients. Shah advises consumers to be cautious of substances that resemble retinol, such as “pro-retinols” and “retinyl propionate.” He claims they aren’t as efficient. Shah advises choosing a cream for regular or dry skin or a gel if you have acne-prone skin (the drying quality decreases outbreaks).

Retinol is typically available in the following concentrations in over-the-counter products: 1, 0.5, 0.3, and 0.25 percent. Saedi advises beginning with a low dose to gauge how your skin will respond.

Do Retinoids Really Work?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, studies show they are efficient for cleaning up breakouts and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles.

What Are Examples of Retinoids?

Retinoids include things like retinoin (Vesanoid), retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde, isotretinoin (Accutane), and tazarotene (Tazorac).

Is Salicylic Acid a Retinoid?

No. According to MedlinePlus, salicylic acid, another widely used chemical in skin care products that treats acne, is not a retinoid.

Can You Put Moisturizer on Over Retinol?

Absolutely, but you may not need to. According to Saedi, the moisturizer that is incorporated into the majority of retinol creams lowers the possibility of an adverse reaction.

Can You Put Moisturizer on Under Retinol?

Sure, you can use “the sandwich method,” which involves applying moisturizer to your skin before using retinol. According to Shah, this will reduce the irritative effects and have no negative consequences on retinol absorption.

Are Retinols and Retinoids Safe to Use During Pregnancy?

That is not advised. Retinol and retinoid usage has the potential to raise the risk of birth abnormalities. The majority of experts agree that it’s ideal for pregnant women to avoid the substance throughout those nine months, however more research with bigger sample sizes may be required.

One final thought on using retinoid or retinol into your skin-care regimen

Acne and age indications can be successfully combatted by the skin with retinols and retinoids. These are fantastic to use. There is a formulation that works for everyone, and there is so much data supporting them, explains Saedi.

Retinoids are stronger than retinols and can only be obtained with a prescription, although retinols can be bought over-the-counter. Both methods have positive effects; with a low-potency retinol, it only takes a little longer to see the results.

The basic line, according to Solomon, is that retinoids in nonprescription form will be less irritating than retinoids in prescription form up until a person develops a tolerance to the component.