Retinol | Vitamin A | Provitamin A
Retinol, or vitamin A1 or Axerophthol is the most potent form of the essential and fat-soluble vitamin A. The body cannot produce retinol itself but converts vitamin A or provitamin A into retinol. Unfortunately, this process of converting vitamin A into retinol, which is so important for the body and our skin, becomes increasingly difficult with age. The natural aging process itself, as well as exposure to UV rays, deprive the skin of large amounts of vitamin A, so that increasingly less retinol can be produced.
A retinol deficiency causes connective tissue cells to collapse, the skin loses elasticity and moisture, becomes thinner, and wrinkles form. This deficiency weakens the skin and makes it more susceptible to external environmental influences, such as UV radiation or particulate matter. This, in turn, leads to uneven pigmentation and makes the skin appear older.
Retinol is converted into vitamin A acid in the skin ( Retinol is converted into tretinoin and is found in skincare products approved in Germany at a maximum concentration of 0.3 percent. Retinol stimulates collagen production, which has been proven to counteract the formation of wrinkles, and alleviates symptoms of UV-damaged skin such as dryness, wrinkles, and uneven pigmentation.
The basis for retinol, vitamin A, can only be absorbed by our body from outside and mainly through food, from animal sources or its precursor, provitamin A, from carotenoid-containing plant foods such as oranges, carrots or spinach .
There are essentially three versions of retinol:
- Retinol esters, which can be found under the ingredients "Retinyl Palmitate" or "Retinyl Linoleate" and which are somewhat less effective, but also milder and more tolerable.
- Pure retinol, which is also stated in the INCIs and
- Tretinoin or vitamin A acid, can be extremely irritating and is therefore only found in prescription medications
When using retinol, it should be considered that the skin becomes more sensitive to the sun due to accelerated cell formation and renewal. Therefore, retinol products should be applied in the evening and temporarily discontinued if intense sun exposure is imminent (vacation in southern regions, sunbathing, etc.). Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using retinol completely as a precautionary measure.
