If we could narrow down our favourite ingredients for anti-aging, Vitamin A is at the top of list. Vitamin A, otherwise known as “retinol” can be used topically to improve collagen production, acne, uneven skin tone, pigmentation or simply sluggish skin.
Vitamin A works by sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting skin cell renewal. When applied correctly, it also has the ability to repair DNA damage in the skin’s cells, thus strengthening and thickening the barrier.
When first applying vitamin A you may experience some light shedding of dry or flaking skin which is a normal process of initially using the product. This allows fresh skin cells to come through, out with the old, in with the new! This process creates a smoother texture and even skin tone.
Acne – Follicles can become blocked with excess sebum, bacteria and dead skin cells resulting in congestion. Vitamin A helps by clearing the passageway in the follicles for sebum to travel up efficiently without becoming blocked and trapped in the skin.
Pigmentation – When the dead skin cells on the epidermis have been desquamated, vitamin A can penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin, reaching our melanocytes. These types of cells are responsible for protecting our skin against UV damage. However, when excessive exposure to UV occurs, the melanocytes become damaged themselves and produce pigments which darken the skin as a result. The use of vitamin A helps to repair and correct the damage so that the melanocytes can function properly again.
Cell Growth – Stem cells are the ‘mother’ of all skin cells as they have the ability to copy genetic information from one cell, divide and make a new one. They are located in the basal layer of the epidermis and are easily damaged from external factors such as UV light. When these cells are damaged, it may mean your skin healing weakens and becomes slow. Vitamin A works by repairing the damage so that you can continue to grow new cells and increase healing and repair.
Collagen – Fibroblasts are responsible for collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production in the skin. As we age, they tend to become lazy and not function as efficiently as they once did when we were younger. Lazy fibroblasts results in fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Vitamin A assists by restoring fibroblasts ability to make more proteins and support the skin’s natural structure.
DOCTOR BABOR PRO A Retinol Concentrate is an excellent corrective ingredient to implement into your daily routine. Although we highly encourage the use of Vitamin A, it’s important to only apply it at night and if pregnant, avoid altogether. Because retinoids stimulate new cell growth, they can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, therefore it’s important to always use a broad-spectrum SPF during the day to protect the skin from photo-aging.
To purchase, or for further information Contact your nearest Saltair Spa.
