A Quick Primer on Retinol (and other Vitamin A derived products!)

What is it?
All retinoids are derived from Vitamin A. Vitamin A is the bonafide heavy weight champion of skin care products.  It is only one of two FDA approved products to combat anti-aging which is why Retinol, Retin-A and retinadehydes are so widely used. 
What does it do?
Vitamin A promotes cellular turnover, encourages a quicker regeneration of new skin and strengthens the collagen that is already in your skin. The effect of this is that your body is quickly removing damaged, dull, scarred and wrinkled skin and helps to build new skin before it gets all of the signals about what it’s “supposed” to look like (the wrinkles and scars) creating an anti aging result from both the outer and inner layers of your skin. Combine that with strengthening your collagen (which creates elasticity) and it’s clear why products containing Vitamin A are so effective and popular. 
For acne prone skin this powerful combination unclogs pores and the quick regeneration of skin cells helps to prevent further clogging. It is worth noting that the only retinoid that is antibacterial (meaning it actively kills the acne bacteria) is retinaydehydes. These can be found in the Osmosis Vitamin A serums such as Calm, Correct and Blemish Serum.
Does it Damage my skin?
​While retinoids don’t damage skin, your particular skin might be too sensitive for certain strengths. The result is dry, flaky skin that can feel irritated. So take caution and introduce retinols into your skin care routine gradually. Retinols do make everyones skin more sensitive to sunlight which is why it’s advisable to use it at night and limit your sun exposure. (Which is another great way to keep your skin looking youthful!)