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Everything you need to know about retinol

11 November 2019 | Anna-Bet Stemmet

If you’ve been looking for the answer to all your skin woes, meet retinol. Keep reading to find out more about this miracle ingredient.

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Retinol is one of those buzzwords that seem to be included in almost every ad for skincare products on TV, but what exactly is this miracle ingredient? We checked in with Jani Visser, a holistic skincare therapist from Lyftaal Beauty Spa in Paarl, to find out what all the fuss is about. Jani, who is a passionate proponent of a sustainable approach to beauty and skincare, shared the following pearls of wisdom.

What is retinol and how does it work? 

“Retinol is a very active form of Vitamin A, which is known as the 'skin vitamin',” explains Jani. “In the 1930s it was discovered that the main cause of ageing skin is a deficiency of Vitamin A, which is largely because of the light-sensitive nature of the molecule. UV light destroys Vitamin A in the skin, and we need it to normalise skin cell functioning. This is why it’s wise to replenish our skin with Vitamin A topically on a daily basis.” 

According to Jani, retinol improves the appearance of the skin by: 

●    Evening out skin tone
●    Refining skin texture
●    Improving the signs of premature ageing
●    Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Tip: Remember to always use sunscreen protection when using Vitamin A in its retinol form, as it might cause mild peeling at first.

How can I introduce retinol into my daily beauty regime? 

The best way to include retinol in your beauty regime is to find a skincare product that features it as one of the formulation’s main ingredients. However, if you want to boost your levels of Vitamin A from the inside out, you can also do so by upping your intake of foods that are rich in this compound. 

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

●    Drink a spoon of cod liver oil in the morning (sure, the taste is not all that great, but it will improve the appearance and condition of everything from your skin to your nails and even your hair!). 
●    Take a Vitamin A supplement daily. 
●    Don’t be shy with the eggs. Eggs contain a good amount of Vitamin A, and they’re so versatile – make a scramble for breakfast, enjoy an omelette for dinner, or hard boil a few to keep in a cooler at your desk or in your car for a snack on the go. 
●    Eat the rainbow. Make yourself a nice, big salad of dark leafy greens with red peppers, yellow peppers, broccoli and goat’s cheese in the mix. All of these ingredients are high in Vitamin A. Bonus points if you add a portion of oily fish like mackerel or salmon.

 

IMAGE CREDIT: shutterstock.com

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