Vitamin A- Skin Care or Careless?

Among the more effective anti-aging skin care products, we find Tretinoin, Retinol, and Retinyl Palmitate. These are all forms of vitamin A or derivatives thereof. The most significant of them is Tretinoin (retinoic acid). It is found in vegetables such as carrots and spinach. Tretinoin is used extensively in the treatment of acne and increasingly used in anti-aging regimens. Vitamin A is readily absorbed by the skin and stimulates production of new skin cells and as a result increases collagen production. Collagen being responsible for the fuller, firmer, and younger looking skin.

Being the strongest of the Vitamin A treatments, Trentinoin can treat some of the most stubborn skin conditions, but is also the most irritating of the products. When using any of these vitamin A treatments, if your skin becomes irritated, stop using the product to avoid further damaging the skin. Vitamin A in all its forms increases sensitivity to the sun. Don't forget the sunscreen!

Retinol, while not as strong as Tretinoin is found mostly in anti-aging or skin rejuvenation products. It is found in the same vegetables as any other Vitamin A treatment, but is not as easily absorbed into the skin. Its popularity among anti-aging products is due to the fact that one can start with a mild form of it and gradually increase the dose, thereby avoiding the irritation encountered with the stronger forms of vitamin A.

Retinyl Palmitate has not been as extensively tested as the other two, but shows promise of being a preferred replacement for Tretinoin since it can be formulated as a non-irritating alternative.

It concerns me that so many of the available skin care products are irritating to the skin. It sounds like a loud statement in favor of the natural products. I have trouble using the terms "skin care" and "irritation" together. It seems to me the two should be mutually exclusive. Too many people have the attitude that it has to hurt to be any good. Personally, I think if it is any harsher than soap and water, it doesn't need to be in contact with your skin. I know that when people are desperate to change something, they will try anything. Unfortunately, too many of the things they try are strictly experimental. Some of the experiments turn out to be beneficial, but all to often the results are unpleasant. That's to be expected when acting without information.

Stay informed! Moderation in all things(even moderation).

I am a crotchity 'ol fart of 70 years. I have currently 2websites; Anti-Aging Skin Care
Unique Gifts and Figurines
When I'm not messing with these websites, I look for busy people to engage in idle conversation.