Skincare innovations have a tendency to hit stores quicker than a new Instagram update, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're always to be believed. We may be able to run off a list of ingredients we *should* be looking for in our skincare as we age, but when it comes to fully understanding the purpose of an individual ingredient many of us struggle. Retinol is a so called 'wonder ingredient' that's being touted as one of the most important things in beauty, promising to help create a youthful and radiant glow while minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In my opinion it's something that every woman (and man) within the 30+ category should be embracing as a way to keep their complexions looking fresh and full for as long as possible. But what is it and why do we need it"
"Retinol signals to your body to produce collagen and new cells for firmer and smoother skin, while also reducing hyperpigmentation and clogged pores," says New York based dermatologist Anne Chapas. Retinoids first came to market in the early 1970s as an acne-fighting drug, but since then they?ve also been used to treat psoriasis, wrinkles, blotchiness and ageing skin. Simply put, Retinol is another name for vitamin A. It's an extremely effective cell-communicating ingredient that has the ability to tell almost any skin cell to behave like a healthy, younger version of itself - as well as encouraging the production of new skin cells altogether. This is hu...