Retinol For Acne: Knowing Its Functions And Side Effects

Retinol takes the natural form of Vitamin A and is described as a fat soluble antioxidant.  The skin needs retinol as much as it needs Vitamin A for proper functioning.  When skin cells are nourished by retinol, they can grow properly, thus leading to prevention of acne formation.

Retinol is considered an antioxidant that destroys the free radicals eminent in the skin.  A skin with lesser free radicals is known to be healthy skin.  Once you get your skin to be treated by retinol, your skin will start to blow and become smooth. 

Functions of Retinol for Acne

Retinol is known to be one of the best products for acne treatment in the market today.  It is recognized for the multiple functions it provides for the entire body.  Some of its functions for acne are:

• It replenishes damaged skin.  Being a natural form of Vitamin A, it helps the skin retain its normal form.  Liver and fish oil for instance which are rich sources of Vitamin A can be taken by the one with acne in order to obtain retinol for the body.

• It helps the skin glow youthfully.  Orange colored fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, oranges and tangerines are sources of beta-carotene.  The body can convert the beta-carotene into Vitamin A.  These vitamins could then aid to the glowing of the skin.  It helps the skin retain its softness and smoothness removing from the surface any signs of aging.  Retinol helps improve the appearance of acne by producing collagen.

• It separates dead skin cells from the live skin cells.  As a topical medication, retinol expedites the removal of the extra skin cells.  This clears the hair follicles of rubbish that could clog the pores. 

Side Effects of Retinol for Acne

While there are many benefits of retinol for acne treatment, it may also pose some side effects which are minimal in nature.  Some of these adverse effects include:

• Warming of the skin.  The use of retinol may cause your skin to feel warm, become red in color and sting to some extent.  This is because your skin is adjusting to the use of the product.

• The skin becomes sensitive to sunlight.  It is advised that when you use retinol products, you must keep yourself from overexposure to the sun. This side effect happens when people with acne would not follow doctor's advice on sun exposure.  It is beneficial that you take what your doctors say seriously.

• Scaling and itching of the skin may be possible.  Like the above-mentioned side-effects, scaling and itching may sometimes appear on the surface with improper use of retinol. 

People with acne are advised to consult their dermatologists in order to avoid side effects coinciding with the use of retinol.  Your doctors have first-hand information regarding the proper use of the product.