Blog | The Power of Retinols

Vitamin A, Tretinoin and Retinol, you've probably heard of them but what are they and what do they do?

Retinols, aka, Vitamin A, are topical products that are applied to skin to increase cell turnover.

They target lines, wrinkles, thickened skin, blemish-prone skin by unclogging pores and enhances the skins tone by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and sun spots.

There are many forms of ‘retinol’, and many products will claim to have retinol in them.

However, dependant on the type of retinol and strength, this will determine its effectiveness.

The least potent form of retinol is called Retinyl palmitate, this is usually in a lot of high street products that can be bought over the counter.

Then we have Retinaldehyde. This is an over-the-counter retinoid that is a little stronger than retinyl palmitate.

The most potent Vitamin A is called Retinol, which is the highest form of retinol without a prescription.

This comes in different percentages as part of our Alumier range of retinols, and is an encapsulated retinol which allows for a slow release into the skin overnight minimising side effects, so you can enjoy all the benefits of retinol with little to no irritation.

And then we have tretinoin which is a prescription only retinol and cannot be purchased over the counter.

These are part of our Obagi range and would need a consultation before the Nurse is able to prescribe. Obagi also has different percentages of retinols, and tretinoins, so theres something for every skin type. Even sensitive!

Just to note, retinols can cause a bit of flaking temporarily once you start using it, but this will usually subside after a few uses.

If you'd like to start incorporating retinol into your skincare routine, pop down to our clinic in Pontllanfraith, or book in for a consultation to discuss further.