Advantages of Retinol
Retinol has been the hallmark ingredient in anti-aging skincare for some time. It's effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and dark spots which come with aging. It's also one of the more scientifically studied skincare ingredient, proving its positive effects.
Downsides of Retinol
Sounds perfect, right? While it can be effective, retinol does come with some downsides. It can be quite irritating to the skin, causing redness and sensitivity.
It also makes the skin much more sensitive to the sun. Sun exposure, while using retinol, can increase your risks of skin cancer, and can cause free radicals which damage the skin's DNA.
Retinol can also cause vitamin A toxicity (vitamin A comes from retinol). While it's not likely to have this issue from skincare alone, if you are already consuming more than sufficient vitamin A in your diet, skincare can supplement that. Too much vitamin A can cause problems like liver problems, hair loss and osteoporosis in older adults.
Natural Anti-Aging Alternatives
While natural alternatives to retinol have less research backing them, these ingredients are much gentler on the skin and don't run the risks of sun damage, skin cancer or vitamin A toxicity.
First of all, as we age, our skin becomes drier, so using nourishing moisturizers and replenishing the skin's oils is key. Something like our Organic Facial Serum will naturally plump the skin and give a more youthful appearance.
Acai is a powerhouse ingredient, which smooths fine lines, moisturizes and speeds up cell turnover, meaning dry and dead skin cells get sloughed off quicker. Acai is a key ingredient in our Intensive Immortal Elixir and our Acai and Pomegranate Anti-Aging Masque.
Frankincense hydrates and reduces fine lines. It can be found in our Eye Firming Creme and our Intensive Immortal Elixir.
Pumpkin is high in antioxidants, it supplies natural vitamin A and E, it supports collagen production with helps reduce signs of aging. Our Intensive Immortal Elixir and Organic Facial Serum contain pumpkin.
Moringa regenerates the skin. It evens the skin tone and lightens dark spots, which are a key sign of aging. Moringa is in our Organic 3-in-1 Facial Mist and the Intensive Immortal Elixir.
You can fight the signs of aging using natural, holistic and organic products, without needing ingredients like retinol. If you do choose to use retinol, make sure to be vigilant about using sunscreen, even in the winter.
Sources:
- Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments - PMC (nih.gov)
- https://www.safecosmetics.org/chemicals/retinol-and-retinol-compounds/
- https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/the-problem-with-vitamin-a/