Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is widely considered the ‘gold standard’ when it comes to targeting skin care concerns from acne to fine lines and wrinkles.
“Retinol is such a popular skin care ingredient because of the vast amount of data about its efficacy and benefits to cell turnover and skin renewal,” says Belinda Carli, a cosmetic chemist and Director at the Institute of Personal Care Science.
“It is strictly regulated, because too much can be very irritating to the skin and some users are very sensitive to it.
“[But] when used in the right amount and stabilised in a cosmetic formulation properly, it is incredibly effective with outstanding visible results.”
And there is no stopping the beauty industry’s love affair with retinol, as recent launches demonstrate.