Retinol For Acne & Scarring
Retinol for acne and resulting scars, goes well beyond commonly used blemish banishing ingredients like salicylic acid. Have you been overlooking this game changer?
You may be familiar with the anti-ageing benefits of using Retinol (Vitamin A), but you might not be aware that there is a long history of retinol for acne treatment. It was originally prescribed as a topical medication in the form of Retinoic Acid (also called tretinoin, brand name Retin-A). Whilst being extremely effective at clearing acne, it often causes redness, burning, flaking and dryness of the skin. This is why products containing Retinoic Acid can only be obtained with a prescription. Products that are available without prescription use milder, more stable versions of Vitamin A known as Retinoids. We use the most stable version, Vitamin A Palmitate in Retinol Resurfacing Treatment. These compounds are gentler, as they first have to be broken down by the skin, before they're converted into the active Retinoic Acid. It is a commonly-held belief that because Retinoids are milder than prescription-strength Retinoic acid, they will not work as well. However, there is scientific evidence to suggest that while a bit slower, they can be just as effective as Retinoic Acid.[1][2]
How does Retinol for acne and scars work?
Acne develops when an excess of dead skin cells and oil (sebum) build up within a pore, forming a soft plug. This creates the perfect environment for normally harmless bacteria to multiply, leading to infection, inflammation and spots[3]. Using Retinol for acne, boosts the rate at which new cells are produced, and reduces the build-up of dead skin cells. It also helps to control excessive sebum production. In this way, Retinol helps prevent dead skin cells from combining with oil and getting trapped in your pores. Preventing these clogged pores from forming, means your skin is less likely to develop blemishes, resulting in clearer and brighter skin. Retinol will also help to shift scarring left over from active breakouts. As Retinol speeds up the process by which the skin renews itself, it will also speed up the fading of any brown/red marks. In addition to this, Retinol boosts the production of collagen (which provides some of the skin's support structure) and thickens deeper layers of the skin. This means it will also help to smooth out scars that appear as dips or lumps in the skins surface.
Why is Retinol Resurfacing Treatment™ different?
TOP: Before
MIDDLE: After 14 days of using Retinol Resurfacing Treatment™
BOTTOM: After one month of using Retinol Resurfacing Treatment™
We have used Vitamin A Palmitate in the safest maximum permitted levels in the EU for results. We’ve significantly reduced the negative effects described, by loading our Retinol Resurfacing Treatment™ with a whole host of soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients:
Mediacalm™ is an active ingredient from Boerhavia Diffusa Root with outstanding calming properties. It seriously soothes skin and restores softness, whilst stimulating the release of neuromediators in the skin.
Aroleat Samphira is a clever little ingredient that mimics the effects of Retinol, without causing irritation. It has been proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines, even out the skin tone, regulate sebum production and reduce inflammation.
Matrixyl 3000 is a powerful blend of peptides that helps to repair the skin. It does this by restoring the key proteins, including fibrilin, that are broken down during ageing, and works perfectly together with Vitamin A.
Two different molecular weights of Hyaluronic Acid provide double the effect of retaining moisture and activates the skin’s own beta defensins that help to prevent microbial invasion, which can lead to spots.
Squalane reinforces and supports the skin’s natural moisture barrier, really important when using retinol for acne, whilst giving a luxurious feel to the skin.
Try it for yourself
Please use SPF in the morning when using retinol products at night - Youth Preservation Moisturiser™ has an SPF20. You may also like to try, Concentrated Spot Treatment™. Try our kit for acne and spots - Bye Bye Blemishes. Need help on dealing with adult acne? Read Maleka’s tipsor email info@merumaya.com for an appointment to discuss your skincare needs with Maleka Read more about Retinol here
References
1. Edwards, H. (2001) Topical retinol and retinaldehyde in cosmetics as alternatives to retinoic acid: evidence of efficacy. Retinoids & Lipid-Soluble Vitamins in Clinical Practice 17: 98-102.
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9843009
3. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/pages/causes.aspx
