A lot of people are confused as to the difference between a retinol and glycolic acid when trying to choose a skin care product. These two ingredients are often confused with one another, since both contain similar functions in skin care products. The main difference between the two is that retinol is often used in anti-aging creams and as a moisturizer while glycolic acid is commonly used in acne treatment. Knowing the difference between these two ingredients will help you decide which ones are right for your skin.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is naturally produced by the skin. This makes it one of the more accessible forms of vitamin A to the skin since it can easily be absorbed by the skin. Retinol works by bringing back the vitality of the skin cells that have been damaged or dead skinned. It also tightens the pore and can make the skin clearer, softer, and smoother looking.
With age, the skin cells in the outer layer of skin begin to lose their original color and shape. This results in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. As the dead skin cells begin to decay, they produce an oily substance which attracts dirt and grime and then clogs the pores. This can cause acne as the dirt and grime gets trapped inside the pores. Because the pores can't drain the excess oil, the bacteria can multiply within the pores and cause an infection. A good way to treat this is by cleaning the face with a retinol or glycolic acid cleanser.
Retinol and glycolic acid both stimulate collagen production. As more collagen is produced, more skin cells are available to the epidermis to heal and regenerate. This means that the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is reduced. Research has shown that retinol and glycolic acid can reduce facial wrinkles by as much as 40%.
The other difference between a retinol and glycolic acid is the pH level of the skin. Retinol has a higher pH level than glycolic acid. This makes the skin more receptive to treatment. The skin cells that have been damaged and dead are easily replaced by new skin cells. This means that the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is reduced.
Retinol and glycolic acid both stimulate the production of new skin cells. This leads to the increased production of new elastic tissue in the skin. The skin can now contract and stretch to accommodate the addition of more cells. This means that the lines and wrinkles in your skin begin to fade away.
Perhaps the most important difference between a retinol and glycolic acid is that they are all natural. You do not need a prescription to buy them. You can even find them over the counter at health food stores. You may want to read labels carefully and check the amount of retinol or glycolic acid in the product you are thinking about buying.
Retinol and glycolic acid are excellent moisturizers for your skin. They reduce wrinkles and stretch marks while moisturizing your skin. They are effective for all kinds of skin. They are not too drying, no matter what the skin type. The benefits of using these ingredients are clear.
What is less clear is how they actually work to fight the aging signs. The moisturizing properties of the two ingredients seem to help the skin recover from environmental insults like pollution and sun damage. Retinol and glycolic acid also stimulate collagen production in your skin. If this happens, the skin begins to look younger and healthier.
The other difference between a retinol and glycolic acid is that one causes more visible results than the other. Retinol is proven to be much more effective at promoting the production of collagen. If you are concerned about the development of wrinkles and other aging signs, you should definitely use a good moisturizer containing both of these ingredients. It is also important to look for ingredients that are proven to increase the collagen production in the skin. There are several. Look for ones that include avocado oil, shea butter and babassu.
Now that you know the difference between a retinol and a glycolic acid moisturizer, you should know which of them to choose. You can look for creams containing these ingredients, as well as other natural ingredients like phytessence wakame, which is an extract from a type of Japanese sea kelp. Creams like this are proven to be more effective than retinol alone. Look for a brand that contains ingredients like this, too.