Beauty tips: retinol

Retinol has become more and more popular. But when it comes to waxing, retinol can pose a problem.

Retinol is a type of retinoid, which is made from vitamin A. It does not remove dead skin cells, as many other

products for mature skin do. Instead, the small molecules that make up retinol go deep beneath the epidermis (outer layer of skin) to your dermis.

Once in this middle layer of skin, retinol helps neutralize free radicals. This helps boost the production of elastin and collagen, which creates a “plumping” effect that can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles or enlarged pores.

Retinoids decrease the thickness of the stratum corneum which is the outermost layer of the skin. Missing some of this protective layer, your skin may be damaged by the waxing process. You may get a burn or the wax may tear some of the skin off.

Therefore it is important to stop using retinoids in the waxing area for 2 weeks prior.

Retinoids can also be called something else, such as Retin-A, Retinoids, Retinol, Differin, Tretinoin. So please check the ingredients of your beauty products it maybe hiding in there.