You’ve probably heard about Retinol while looking for skin care products that fight signs of aging. This is not surprising as Retinol was the go-to solution by many, from teens to adults, who are experiencing damaged skin. You can get this product over the counter with many brands incorporating this age-defying ingredient into their skin care products. And because it offers a quick fix to wrinkles and other signs of aging, many don’t pay much attention to its long-term effects. Even dermatologists were quick to recommend its use to their patients hence many are flocking to using retinol.
What is Retinol?
Retinol is basically a synthetic derivative of a popular vitamin that is commonly found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and eggs which is vitamin A. When applied on the skin, retinol is then transformed into retinoic acid by certain enzymes that are present in the skin. It is also possible to apply retinoic acid on our skin, but its effects are harsher compared to retinol serum or cream, plus it doesn’t get converted naturally in the long run.
What Retinol does, as it was stated above, is to correct aging skin by smoothening and refining its texture and bringing back the natural radiance of our skin.
Benefits and Side Effects of Retinol
There are several benefits to making retinol part of your skin care regimen such as:
- Brightening dull skin through exfoliation at the cellular level.
- Prevents wrinkles from appearing because of its minimizing effects, plus it can also help smooth out any existing wrinkles and fine lines.
- Regulates oily skin which can help reduce breakouts.
- Treats darkened skin to even out your skin tone.
There is no doubt that Retinol is a powerful ingredient. Unfortunately, using it too often can cause your skin to peel or redden, and even cause dryness and flakiness especially when used for the first time along with other skin care products.
With the possibility of side effects with the continuous use of Retinol, it’s not surprising that some people are looking for safer alternatives to this miracle ingredient. This is where Retin-Alts come in.
Retin-Alts to Consider
The demand for safer and organic skin care products is rising as people are becoming more aware of the importance of limiting their skin’s exposure to harsh chemicals. Fortunately, skin care companies are stepping up to the plate by delivering herbal skin care products that also have the same effects of regular retinoids but without the side effects!
These retin-alts or retinol alternatives are flying off the shelves today which is not surprising given that we are quite conscious on how we look. That said, here are the popular retin-alts that you might want to consider for your skin care routine.
- Bakuchiol Oil. The Bakuchiol oil is referred to as the best alternative to retinol as it is a plant-based oil that is derived from the Babchi plant. Although its structure is not the same as that in retinol, its effects are better. What the Bakuchiol oil does is that it stimulates collagen, minimizes pores, bring back your skin’s elasticity, in order to make your skin soft, smooth, and supple. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this oil helps treat the skin. Not only will you get the benefits of retinoids in this oil, but you will not have to suffer through the side effects like inflammation, burning, and flakiness even.
- Marula oil. Another example of retin-alts that you might want to try is the Marula oil. This ingredient doesn’t have any retinol in it, but it has similar effects of retinol without the burning or reddening sensation. When applied on the skin, it gives that soothing feeling to your skin and can even be incorporated into your makeup routine to achieve that fresh look. What Marula oil has are fatty acids and vitamin E which not only removes the redness on your skin, but it can correct the appearance of scars and even pigmentation. It is even safe for pregnant women who want to alleviate the appearance of stretch marks on their skin. Another plus to this oil is that it is perfect for those who are dealing with dry skin as it has hydrating properties that can make your skin smooth and soft.
- Cacay oil. Cacay oil is also considered as retin-alts as it is also capable of banishing blemishes and wrinkles on your skin just like what retinoids can do. Made from plant ingredients, it is better that you look for skin care products that have cacay oil instead of retinol to get the same benefits minus the side effects. You can even invest on a bottle of cacay oil and incorporate it into your nighttime routine if you like to improve your skin’s condition. All you need is a few drops of cacay oil and massage it on your face as well as your neck. The vitamin E that is also present in this oil is considered as an added bonus because it works like an antioxidant which keeps your skin hydrated and glowing.
There is no doubt that Retinol has paved the way to improving our skin’s overall look, but since it is a synthetic derivative, it does come with side effects that may cause discomfort on our part. Looking for retin-alts or retinol alternatives may help us take care of our skin better without having to go through the pain and discomfort that we often experience with Retinol.
