Q. I hear vitamin A is the best natural solution for wrinkles. What exactly should I look for, and how do I use it?
Licensed esthetician Catie Wiggy responds:
A. Vitamin A is a touted by many as the must-have ingredient for anti-aging and healthy skin. When you apply vitamin A topically, it is capable of smoothing fine lines, reducing surface wrinkles, clearing pores of debris, minimizing breakouts and much more.
Vitamin A is classified by a collective grouping called retinoids. Various natural and synthetic retinoids have been explored and tested for the treatment of aging, and many of them have shown histological and clinical improvement.[i] Retinoids are a group of chemical compounds that are interconnected chemically to vitamin A. There is an assortment of retinoids widely used in topical skin care medicines, products and cosmetics, mainly due to the way they regulate healthy epidermal cell growth. Common forms of retinoids include:
- Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin®, Retin-A®) the prescription form of vitamin A
- Retinaldehyde is the most potent over-the-counter form of vitamin A offering top results
- Retinol is regularly used in skin care products and can be effective
- Retinyl palmitate or vitamin A palmitate are lower levels of vitamin A and not as effective
Depending on the results you want, you can visit your doctor and look into getting prescription strength retinoic acid, or check out over-the-counter products like MyChelle’s Remarkable Retinal Serum. Knowing the various forms of vitamin A and potency levels will help guide you in the right “retinoid” direction.
Retinaldehyde is the form of vitamin A found in MyChelle’s Remarkable Retinal Serum, and it’s used to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and “crow’s feet” and to promote an overall smoothness and evenness of facial skin tone. In a six-week independent clinical study, 94 percent of participants using this form of retinaldehyde saw an improvement the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, smoothness and firmness. The retinaldehyde used in the MyChelle Remarkable Retinal Serum is created through a patented four-step process, creating a one of a kind stabilized and non-irritating formula.
This ingredient alone is incredible, but to create a truly remarkable serum, we enhanced the formula with ingredients such as orange plant stem cells and Ceramide 3. Orange plant stem cells increase cellular communication and improve the skin’s elasticity for a silky smooth feel. Ceramides are found in high concentrations within the cell membranes of the skin and therefore the ingredient Ceramide 3, which is identical to the natural ceramide in human skin, increases long-term hydration by creating a protective lipid barrier. There is an increase in the water retention capacity of the skin, with results lasting up to six days.
Use MyChelle’s new Remarkable Retinal Serum at night while your skin rests to amplify cell turnover and production, diminish age spots, repair sun damage, refine pores, prevents breakouts and reduce fine lines by up to 42 percent and redness by 70 percent. Yes, it really does it all! Apply sparingly to face, neck and décolleté. More is not better; this is a highly concentrated product that goes a long way. If skin is sensitive, start by using every third night and increase to every other night. For optimal results, work up to using this serum every night.
Cautions:
- Consult your doctor before using if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Reduce or discontinue use if continuous redness or irritation occurs.
- Use sunscreen daily.
[i] S. Mukherjee, A. Date, V. Patravale, H.C. Korting, A. Roeder, G. Weindl. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clin Interv Aging. Dec 2006; 1(4): 327–348. Published online Dec 2006. PMCID: PMC2699641.