Reviewed by Souad Charifi Hadj, registered pharmacist no. 2676.
Many people ask me about retinol, whether it's good or bad, whether to use it or not. Many fear the unwanted side effects that synthetic retinol can cause.
To answer your questions, I will first explain what retinol is and what it can do for your skin.
Starting with the certainty that retinol is one of the best anti-aging active ingredients known.
Retinol is synthesized from Vitamin A, it helps neutralize free radicals, stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis in the skin improving its firmness and elasticity. By stimulating collagen production, it visibly improves wrinkles, reducing their depth and quantity. In addition to this effect, retinol has an exfoliating effect, removing dead cells, thus promoting the appearance of new cells, improving the skin's appearance and texture. It also helps reduce pore size, improving oily and/or acne-prone skin.
Now you might ask, what's the catch?
The adverse effects of using retinol include excessive skin dryness, flaking, redness, irritation, itching, component allergy, and sun sensitivity. In most cases, these effects disappear after several days of application; in other cases, it's simply not for your skin.
I always advise consulting a professional like your pharmacist or dermatologist before using cosmetics with retinol, taking into account your skin and its degree of sensitivity.
Many of you have asked me, is there an alternative?
The answer is YES.
Natural cosmetics have advanced by leaps and bounds, and today we can find cosmetics with ingredients that will provide the same beneficial effects as retinol without the adverse effects.
This means you can safely use it even if you have sensitive skin, any time of year, and even during the day.
Now comes the best part, where I will talk about the cosmetics you can find at Biovardi that contain organic retinol.
My favorites are these 4:
Formulated with plant-based Retinol, specifically from beta-carotenes, it helps improve the function of skin melanocytes, improving skin tone, pigmentation, and preventing premature skin aging.
The cream that has become a best-seller due to its results, formulated with Bakuchiol, the analogue of synthetic retinol, acts on the same receptors as synthetic retinol, offering the same results without causing unwanted effects.
Contains the famous Bakuchiol; this serum provides impressive results without causing any irritation to the skin.
Wearing gold was never so beneficial for our skin until this wonderful facial mask arrived in our lives. It not only brightens the skin but also hydrates it and improves texture and wrinkles—a delight for your skin.
In summary, Retinol yes, but not at any cost, and if we have more skin-friendly alternatives, there is no excuse not to use them.
If you need advice, do not hesitate to contact me:
Souad@biovardi.com