Retinol and Retin A: The big Difference and Which One Your Skin Needs!!!!

One of the most important parts of a person’s body is their skin. This is why you find loads of products in the market that actually help women maintain younger looking skin. This assists in helping us avoid any signs of aging and other skin problems like acne and pimples. However, it is necessary that you are aware of the ingredients present in the product for you to identify if it is safe for your body or not. And believe you me, it is extremely important to know all that.

In order to help you find the right product for your skin, you need to test out various products and sometimes they come out right and sometimes they don’t. The best part is that you don’t need to experiment anymore. I have tried many products and I can safely tell you which products would or would not be best for you depending on your skin type. Let’s try and discuss two of the most popular products that are being used by most women, the retinol and the Retin A.

What is Retinol?

Packaging!!!!

Packaging is still a key issue, so any container that lets in air (like jar packaging) or sunlight (clear containers) just won’t cut it, which applies to most state-of-the-art skincare ingredients. Lots of retinol products come in unacceptable packaging; these should be avoided because the retinol will most likely be (or quickly become) ineffective.

Retinol is a molecule of Vitamin A that is best for the skin. It is an antioxidant that protects your skin from free radicals that can cause damage. I have personally been using retinol for almost two years now and it is sort of a wonder product for me. One single use moisturises your skin perfectly and through personal experience I know that it makes your skin feel supple and bright, thus releasing anti-aging properties.

Retinol helps repair the skin cells and generates cell growth. It belongs to a group called retinoids which is the only substance that can penetrate in the outer layer of the skin and go through the lower layers where you can find collagen and elastin. Because retinol is potent in nature, you can only use it if it is combined together in serums and anti-aging creams.

What is Retin A?

Unlike retinol that is found naturally in the body, Retin A is only created by ingredient developed in laboratories. This is where skin products are being made and tested in order to be sure that it is effective and safe for people to use. Retin A is also called tretinoin that you cannot purchase over the counter (but in Nigeria you can buy anything over the counter sadly) because of the effects that it can have on your skin.

I personally found Retin A to be a bit harsh for my skin. It did help a bit when I had acne, but I think my skin did lose that shiny touch. Applying it to moist skin can cause peeling and irritation so it is advisable that you know how to use this product if you don’t wish to encounter any problems in future. You have to apply Retin A to your skin before bed and make sure that you are aware of the products that might not be compatible with this ingredient. You are also required to wait for 15 to 30 minutes after washing your skin and applying other products before you use the tretinoin.

Which is Better: Retinol or Retin A?

Both Retinol and Retin A are effective for acne treatment, facial lines, and wrinkles. Retin A can prevent your acne and will help you get rid of it. And because Retin A will consistently exfoliate the skin, you will need a prescription in order to buy products that contain Retin A. Personally for me, Retinol would be a front runner as it does what it has to do, while maintaining the sensitivity and fresh feeling of the skin.