Got a skin issue? Vitamin A could be your ticket to skin clarity and firmness.Sally Hunwick looks at why this skincare ingredient is top of the class
Retinol, retinoids … vitamin A can be a confusing ingredient to get your head around. But in terms of real benefits, this skin ingredient is a star player. In fact, it is the only ingredient clinically proven to create real skin change.
“Retinol helps improve overall texture and tone,” says Dr Dendy Engelman, Elizabeth Arden consulting dermatologist based in New York. Happy to tackle a range of skin issues such as radiance, pore size, skin elasticity, unevenness, lines and wrinkles, vitamin A performs skincare wizardry when warding off the typical signs of ageing. Experts say vitamin A is appropriate for all adult skin (though they advise putting it aside during pregnancy), but it is particularly valuable for those aged over 30 – when collagen production starts to wane.
“Retinol helps to rejuvenate the skin and bring new skin to the surface,” says Philippa Curnow, head of education at Elizabeth Arden. “It can help with lines and deep wrinkles, skin discolouration, uneven skin tone and pore size.”
The reason retinol is so good at warding off the signs of ageing is because it works on receptors that signal the skin to boost collagen production. “This means an improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture and the appearance of pore size,” says Engelman. Clarity is the other skin benefit of vitamin A. “Retinoids decrease pore clogging and are anti-inflammatory, which helps treat and prevent acne,” adds Engelman.
This story is from the November 2018 edition of Marie Claire Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2018 edition of Marie Claire Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SHANNEN DOHERTY
The rebellious actor died in July after a nine-year battle with cancer. Zara Wong looks back at the legacy of a woman who always lived on her own terms
IN THE WILDS OF ALASKA
Nature served up a spectacular array of delights, while cruising the majestic waters of the far north.
Back to EARTH
In its earliest days, the farm bred draught horses for export. Now Tasmania's 1840 cottage Leighton House has been restored as a glorious getaway
ODE to LIGHT
Created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian in 2011, Elie Saab's Le Parfum has since gained a cult following and become an industry icon. Here, Sally Hunwick uncovers the origins of the stunning chypre floral scent
JEN ATKIN
The Ouai beauty guru is regularly called on by the Kardashians and a host of other A-listers. Here, she talks about hair, her beauty cupboard and how she keeps up her energy levels
A NEW DIRECTION
When she was 16, Jordan Lambropoulos told her surgeon she'd rather die than wake up with a colostomy bag. Today - 10 years, countless operations and 14,000 Instagram followers later - she's proof that a colostomy bag is not the end. In fact, it can be the beginning of a whole new life
LADY LUCK
Rosalía takes her accessories as seriously as she takes her art. The Spanish musician spent three years working on her much-lauded album Motomami, finessing the details and perfecting the finishing touches. And when it comes to her outfits, she's no less specific
Wait... superhero movies are cool now?
Who had Emma Corrin and Juno Temple as supervillians on their 2024 bingo card?
CURTAIN CALLING
Brisbane-born star Vidya Makan steps into the shoes of America's founding mother in the long-awaited return of Hamilton
LEIGH-ANNE
The English singer on colourism, freedom and reuniting Little Mix