Retinoids... they are so hot right now! But what do they even do? Why are they an absolutely integral part of most skincare routines? What if your skin is sensitive? Read on for the full scoop on one of the best anti-aging ingredients out there.

 

Retinoids work by binding to retinoid receptors in the skin, which results in changes to the skin's behavior - for example, greater production of collagen and elastin (hello! give me that!) The reason this happens is that retinoids regulate skin cell turnover. Think back to when you were a kid; if you skinned your knee in the morning, it was practically healed by dinner! In adulthood, this healing process takes longer because our skin cells are more sluggish. Retinoids don't stand for this and get things back up to speed, resulting in increased collagen production, improved turnover of sun-damaged cells, and clearer pores. Do you have a friend with smooth, glowing skin? Odds are they are using a retinoid product!

 

Maybe you've tried using a retinoid before and found it to be drying to your skin? Thankfully, there are many different formulations, from prescription retinoids to OTC retinols. Many people end up using a medical-grade formulation, which uses incredible science to make that retinoid molecule more tolerable. We'll link a few of these below.