What is Retinol?

Retinol is a type of vitamin A that naturally occurs in the skin, regarded the powerhouse of skincare ingredients. Although they are both classed as retinoids, retinol and retinA are very different; retinol is an over the counter vitamin A, retinA is a prescription only retinoid used to treat more severe acne. The over the counter retinol products contain a range of 0.1% to 1% retinol, however not all products disclose their concentration sometimes making it difficult to tell the potency, we do, and we’re proud to say that our RetinA Plus contains 1% liposomal retinol.

Retinol is photosensitive, it breaks down when exposed to UV rays, making it less effective, due to this we have carefully packaged our product in opaque packaging. Retinol is best applied before bed, with application of SPF the next morning.

What are the benefits?

  • Encourages cell turnover
  • Smooths skin texture by sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting the production of new ones
  • Reduces dark spots and pigmentation
  • Reduces fine lines
  • Calms spot prone skin due to it’s anti-inflammatory properties
  • Increases the natural production of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin

How does it work?

When retinol is absorbed into the skin, enzymes convert retinol to retinoic acid, this encourages the production of new skin cells, allowing skin imperfections such as sun damage, hyperpigmentation and fine lines to gradually fade away. Once absorbed and converted to retinoic acid, collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid levels increase; these work as antioxidants, neutralising free radicals and prevent ageing inflammation to the skin.

Which products contain Liposomal Retinol?

Medi + RetinA Plus
1% Liposomal Retinol Serum

A powerful and highly effective serum containing one percent liposomal Retinol, a stabilised Vitamin A derivative which has been clinically proven to increase cell turnover. RetinA Plus will reduce pore size, resulting in firmer younger looking skin as well as reduce, visible signs of ageing including pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

Medi + RetinA Plus is available online here.

Sources

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, March 2015, pages 271-280
Dermatology, May 2014, pages 314-325
Toxicological Research, March 2010, pages 61-66
Archives of Dermatology, May 2007, pages 606-612
The Journal of Pathology, January 2007, issue 2, pages 241-251
Clinical Interventions in Ageing, December 2006, pages 327-348