Few skincare ingredients possess the extensive research-backed results of retinol, the ultimate multi-tasker in skincare. Whether you want to minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots associated with aging or if you're struggling with blemishes, retinol can help you.

Let’s look at the history and uses of retinol and what this powerful skincare component can do for you.

What is retinol?

Retinol is an oil-soluble molecule with numerous benefits that include everything from improving the skin’s barrier function and stimulating skin cell turnover to increase thickness in aging skin and stimulating collagen production.

When using retinol as after-sun care, it can be effective at delaying or restoring changes associated with the aging process.

Simple Beauty Age-Defying Moisturizer is formulated with Retinyl Palmitate, an ester form of retinol that is converted by the body to form Vitamin A, which is then oxidized to produce retinoic acid, the active form of retinol.

The essential vitamin A

A member of the vitamin A family, retinoids support healthy vision, bone growth, and a healthy immune system. Since the body does not produce vitamin A, you must rely on dietary sources like eggs, orange or yellow vegetables, and green leafy vegetables. 

The skin is the last organ to access the vitamin, so there typically isn’t enough to go around. That’s where topical retinol treatments come in.

A brief history

The ancient Egyptians and Greeks treated night blindness with vitamin A by supplementing the diet with liver, an abundant source of vitamin A. By 1912, an English biochemist had discovered vitamin A in milk. Thirty years later, the first study of retinol use to treat acne was published. By the 1950s, retinoic acid was being used to treat acne. It wasn’t until 1983 that a study was published to support retinoic acid to minimize the impact of aging.

Retinol works by stimulating your skin’s growth cycle. As we age, our skin cells stop maturing, which means older cells pile up. Retinol signals the cells to renew. These new cells also create more collagen, which gives elasticity and firmness to the skin. If you stick to a retinol routine, you’ll experience everything from visibly fewer wrinkles and blackheads to smoother skin. 

The magic of retinol and your skin

Retinol works by stimulating your skin’s growth cycle. As cells die and slough off, they leave room for new skin below. These new cells also create more collagen, which gives elasticity and firmness to the skin. 

Here are just some of the benefits you’ll experience from adding retinol to your skincare regimen.

♦ Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Retinol boosts collagen production, leading to the visible reduction of wrinkles and fine lines.

♦ Evens skin texture. As we age, the skin’s ability to generate new cells and slough off dead cells slows down. Retinol can help stimulate this cell turnover process, leaving the skin smooth and evenly textured.

♦ Increases elasticity. Sagging skin is caused by a breakdown in collagen, fat, and elastin. Retinol acts by stimulating the production of elastin to keep skin visibly resilient.

♦ Reduces discoloration. With consistent use, retinol will fade the dark spots and the appearance of hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure, as well as redness from inflammation.

♦ Unclogs pores. Initially used to treat blemishes, retinol unclogs pores, which makes pores less noticeable, allows medicated treatment to work better, reduces breakouts and scarring by preventing dead cells from clogging pores.

♦ Helps manage psoriasis. Retinol works by reducing the rate at which skin cells grow and shed, as well as reducing visible inflammation associated with psoriasis.

♦ Eliminates warts. Applying a retinol cream disrupts the growth of warts, especially on the back of the hands.

Step by step guide to applying retinol moisturizer

To get the best effects from retinol moisturizer, follow these steps.

1. Apply daily to clean, slightly dampened skin.

2. Blend gently, using upward motions, until the cream is completely absorbed into the surface of the skin. This technique not only stimulates circulation but also brings nutrients to dehydrated skin.

3. Use with Daily Purifying Cleaner, Fine Line Eye Serum, and Skin-Brightening Spot Corrector for a complete and simple beauty treatment.

4. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen before spending time outdoors. Sunscreen is your first line of defense against damage from UV rays.

To put it simply

With consistent use, retinol moisturizer is considered one of the most effective ways to protect skin. Simple Beauty Age-Defying Retinol Moisturizer is formulated with 1% retinol, along with peptides and natural botanicals, such as aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea. Quickly absorbed into the skin’s surface, the formula hydrates the skin to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

We believe skincare shouldn’t be complicated. Just a little moisturizer will go a long way towards working hard to renew your complexion’s youthful appearance. It absorbs quickly into the surface of the skin, making it look healthy and balance.