Nascent » Active Ingredients in Skincare » Vitamin A Retinol Skincare
Vitamin A (Retinol) Skincare
The Anti-Aging Superhero
VITAMIN A RETINOL BENEFITS
- Protects against UV damage and slows signs of aging
- Encourages healthy skin cell production
- Protects against infection
- Smoothes wrinkles and fine lines
- Evens out skin tone and gives a youthful glow
- Minimises the appearance of pores
- Available in Retinoid formulations for less irritation
Vitamins are essential for maintaining optimal levels of skin health, appearance and function, and none more so than Retinol (Vitamin A). Eating nutrient-dense foods, taking vitamin supplements, and using topical products containing vitamins can all be beneficial. In addition to helping skin look its best, vitamins can also be used to manage a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, and the effects of photo-aging.
When it comes to skincare, Vitamin A is needed in the form of retinol. It’s a potent antioxidant that will help support the health, elasticity, and aging of the skin. If you suffer from a deficiency, it’s highly likely that your skin specialist will recommend skincare products containing the active ingredient prescription form called retinoid.
Benefits of Applying Retinol
Vitamin A Retinol in skincare has a fascinating impact on the skin’s surface because it can help restore a more youthful look and feel. While there are many derivatives of Vitamin A, Retinol is the name for the pure form, however, on a serum it could be listed as Renova, Retin A or Tretinoin, just to name but three.
When skin is affected by environmental assault (and everyone’s skin is) or you have signs of aging, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, and skin prone to bumps, retinol steps in and seems to intuitively know what your skin needs to minimise those concerns. In short, lots of things about your skin’s appearance can improve when you use retinol to boost your skincare routine.
Types of Retinol
There are two types of Vitamin A: retinoids (pre-formed vitamin A – it’s found in animal products like dairy, fish, and meat) and carotenoids (pro-formed vitamin A – is found in plants and includes beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. Surprise, you’ll find those in carrots!). Both types are converted to Retinoic Acid by the liver. There, it’s either stored or transported by the lymphatic system to cells throughout the body.
When looking at skincare products, it’s important to remember that “retinoid” is an umbrella term and doesn’t specify the type of retinoid compound in the formula. The term “Retinoid” describes a family of ingredients that includes both Retin-A and Retinol. Retinoids are a class of ingredients chemically related to Vitamin A.
The only type of retinoid that your skin is able to process immediately is retinoic acid. All other forms of retinoids have to be converted by skin enzymes into retinoic acid before the skin is able to use it.
What is Retinol?
Retinol is a specific form of vitamin A that is naturally produced in your body. When it’s applied topically, enzymes in your skin convert retinol into retinaldehyde and then into retinoic acid. Because of the two-step conversion that it has to undergo before the skin can use it, retinol is naturally gentle; this means that while the results are slower, it has fewer side effects. The conversion into retinoic acid can take at least a few weeks, which is why you should use retinol products consistently for a few months before expecting to see results.
In addition to “Vitamin A,” retinol products go under many different names on product labels, including retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinyl linoleate, retinaldehyde, tazarotene, retinol and retinoic acid, isotretinoin or tretinoin.
What is Retin-A?
Retin-A is prescription-only tretinoin cream. Tretinoin is another name for retinoic acid. Because it is a form of retinoic acid, Retin-A does not need to be broken down by the enzymes in your skin before it can be used. Retin-A products can be up to 100 times stronger than the average retinol cream. This strength comes with amazing and speedy results such as diminished blemishes, reduction in wrinkles, boosted skin elasticity — but also has major side effects. Due to its strength, Retin-A can cause itching, scaling, burning, peeling, and extreme redness when you first begin using the medication. Traditionally, Retin-A has only been prescribed by physicians for severe acne (example – Roaccutane).
Vitamin A compounds and their derivatives are most common in “anti-aging” products, but also appear in moisturisers, anti-acne products, and foundation.
Vitamin A is essential for collagen production. Collagen is deep into the layers of the skin and helps to ensure the elasticity and youthful look of the skin. When you have good amounts of collagen, the skin will act like a rubber band. It stretches but will then draw back into its usual shape. When there isn’t enough collagen, the skin acts like an overstretched rubber band. It will stretch to the point of breaking, leaving tears and scarring in the middle and lower layers of your skin.
Skin is a retinoid-responsive organ, able to readily absorb vitamin A when applied topically.
Who should be using Retinol?
It’s important to get retinol as soon as possible. Start using it in your 20’s and build up the use throughout your 30’s. These are the decades where you need to work on preventing aging. Not enough retinol will mean you’re more likely to get wrinkles and fine lines. Start with lower concentrations of retinol if you’ve never used them. Your skin can suffer more breakouts and imbalances if you suddenly add them into your skin in large amounts. Build up your tolerance.
Retinol is also good for those with oily skin. By getting plenty of this vitamin, you can reduce the size of your pores and remove dead skin. It’s possible to reduce the number of natural oils your skin produces, leaving you with a natural and healthier glow. Because of this, those with excessively dry skin are often advised to limit the amount of retinol they add to their skin.
There is also an immune system benefit. If you have bacterial or fungal issues on your skin, you can help to clear them up through the addition of more Vitamin A.
Topical retinoids are not a permanent remedy for any type of skin condition. Their positive effects stop when you discontinue their use.
Pregnancy – Retinoids should be avoided by pregnant and/or lactating women
Please Note: Aspect Dr products feature higher-level active ingredients to ensure maximum efficacy without a prescription. These products are only sold at select physician, skin clinic and spa locations. If your purchase contains any Aspect Dr products – our Skin Specialist is required to speak with you regarding the use of these products before your purchase can be authorised and shipped.
Our skincare products containing Vitamin A - Retinol
Aspect Age Management Kit
$272.00Four key products have been specifically selected to provide clients with a complete home care regimen starting with cleansing, moving on to serums, and finishing with hydration.
Aspect Age Management Kit
$272.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr ABC Essential Skin Kit
$249.00A great investment in a kit of anti-aging skincare products for those who want to improve the appearance of their skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, oil, acne, age spots and brighten dull lack-luster skin.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Dr ABC Essential Skin Kit
$249.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Age Management Kit
$290.00Combat the signs of aging head-on. Containing four cosmeceutical grade products that work synergistically to target fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage and general wear and tear, the Age Management Kit will have your skin back on track in no time.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Dr Age Management Kit
$290.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Exfol A Plus
$149.00A refining serum combining the power of Lactic Acid, Lanablue™, and Retinol to smooth skin texture and allow for ultimate absorption of other ingredients.
Aspect Dr Exfol A Plus
$149.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Hydra A Plus
$79.00Aspect Dr’s Hydra A Plus is your ultimate A cream. Working to accelerate skin resurfacing, our unique blend of retinols including our gold standard Bakuchiol, exfoliate the complexion to improve texture and promote smooth, luminous glowing skin. Infused with nourishing ingredients, like INCA Omega Oil will also support the barrier function for the skin.
Aspect Dr Hydra A Plus
$79.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Dr Lanazyme Micro Peel
$79.00Aspect Dr Lanazyme Micro Peel is an advanced peeling gel formula containing a complex of fruit enzymes, pumpkin ferment extract and Lanablue ™ that work synergistically to exfoliate lifeless skin cells and smooth skin texture, as well as a powerhouse vitamin complex to help illuminate appearance revealing a more radiant complexion
Aspect Dr Lanazyme Micro Peel
$79.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask
$69.00Aspect Fruit Enzyme Mask is a gentle exfoliating enzyme mask that helps lift dead skin from the surface. Ideal for all skin types including sensitive, reactive and problem skin. The skin is brightened, using natural extracts including Papain from Papaya, and Bromelain from Pineapple to desquamate dead skin cells.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Fruit Enzyme Mask
$69.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Hydrating Mask
$69.00Rehab for dry, stressed skin. This luxurious mask contains a blend of hydrating ingredients and antioxidants to help combat the visible signs of aging.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Hydrating Mask
$69.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Retinol Brulee
$139.00Aspect Retinol Brulee - Vitamin A Serum - A refining night serum containing Retinol, that helps smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, revealing more youthful-looking skin.
OUT OF STOCKAspect Retinol Brulee
$139.00OUT OF STOCKSuccessfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Aspect Retinol LGS+
$79.00A high-performance Vitamin A perfect for those ready to take their A-Game to the next level. Retinol LGS+ contains a complex concentration of Vitamin A, plus the added benefits of triple acids, making it an Age-Defying treatment that deeply exfoliates dull, aging, uneven, problematic skin for a softer, smoother appearance. Supports skin microbiome.
Aspect Retinol LGS+
$79.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Cosmedix Refine
$110.00Cosmedix Refine – A potent 4% Vitamin A-based refinishing preparation. Contains the unique AGP complex designed to trick the skin into behaving like young skin again but without the normal irritation typically associated with traditional Vitamin A preparations.
Cosmedix Refine
$110.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Cosmedix Refine Plus
$120.00A powerful concentration of Vitamin A takes Cosmedix Refine Plus Refinishing Treatment 8% to the next level above Cosmedix Refine for enhanced results.
Cosmedix Refine Plus
$120.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...Cosmedix Serum 16
$145.00Features hydrators coupled with retinol to target signs of aging while protecting the skin's moisture barrier function. Helps reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone, smooth wrinkles and boost moisture without causing redness, dryness or irritation. Offers the greatest potency, delivery and stability of LG-Retinex available today.
Cosmedix Serum 16
$145.00Successfully Added to your Shopping CartAdding to Cart...
A Guide to Selecting the Best Skincare Products
Your skin is the bodies largest organ. Its major functions are protection, regulation and sensation. If our skin is not functioning to its full ability, these functions may become compromised.
It’s easy to get lost in the sea of skincare options these days. Not only are there doctors, dermatologists, skin professionals and aestheticians telling you this or that, you also have YouTubers, bloggers and beauty enthusiasts flooding you with thoughts and ideas too. It’s no wonder there are so many skin issues and concerns these days. When you don’t know where to start or what information is reliable, how is your skin really going to respond? More importantly, the use of incorrect skincare products can actually exasperate your condition or cause additional skin problems.
The use of professional active ingredient skincare is recommended. The “Professional” skincare products we recommend on this site can only be purchased through certified stockists and practitioners who are required to provide their professional advice on the application of these products, (as opposed to those you can purchase over the counter (OTC) in the department stores and supermarkets). These recommended professional products contain;-
- higher levels of active ingredients to boost your skin’s health and correct skin problems
(OTC product lines have less active ingredients to minimise the chance of irritation to protect the buyer) - are backed by clinical studies
(not exaggerated unsubstantiated claims) - are made in small batches and distributed to trained or licensed skin therapists, spas and salons to be supplied with professional advice on their use
(OTC products are made for the masses and sold in department stores and supermarkets) - contain small molecule technology for dermal and epidermal penetration
(OTC products that lack active ingredients, have large molecules which are not able to penetrate the skin. When a product can’t properly penetrate the skin, it will only “superficially” treat and temporarily provide relief to skin concerns. This gives the illusion that the products are working without actually treating the skin. Professional lines use molecular technology that penetrates the skin producing clinical results) - are packaged in airless pump packs to eliminate spoilage of ingredients when exposed to the air
- have pH balanced and adjusted ingredients – skin functions at its prime when the natural pH is between 4.5 and 5.5.
(Often OTC products don’t take pH into consideration and will leave the skin in an alkaline state. When the skin is alkaline, bacteria and free radicals (such as pollution) can invade the skin) - do not contain unnecessary fillers and preservatives
Professional skincare often has a reputation of being “too expensive” but that is more often than not actually far from the truth. A good professional line will price their products according to the concentration of active ingredients versus fillers and are actually overall more budget-friendly. It is a common mistake to overuse products which leads to the perception that professional skincare is more expensive. Our Skin Specialist will advise you on the appropriate amount and when to use the products according to your skin condition and type.
When used properly, professional skincare products will last longer and work better giving you the ultimate bang for your buck. OTC products will have a lower upfront cost but over time can be similar in price or more expensive than professional skincare and won’t actually repair the skin condition being treated.