Understanding what this powerful vitamin compound can do to help your skin
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that is found in a range of skincare treatments, including over-the-counter moisturisers, serums and night creams, when it is encapsulated, the vitamin A is protected in an oil like sphere inorder to create better delivery through the skin barrier. When used correctly, retinol can improve the appearance of wrinkles, sun damage, and age spots.
Vitamin A has become a key ingredient in modern skincare routines in order to help our skin fight signs of premature aging. Here's everything you need to know about this compound, from how it works, to where to find it.
Vela Days creates hemp skin care products that contain a range of ingredients, including encapsulated retinol. To learn more about our sustainably-produced, clinical range, visit our online store.
How does retinol work in the body?
Retinoids, or retinol in its most common form work by increasing cell turnover, which helps to get rid of old skin cells and replace them with new ones. It also helps to increase the production of collagen and elastin — proteins that help keep skin looking young and healthy.
With age, your body's ability to produce Vitamin A decreases and this deficiency makes your skin more likely to be susceptible to sun damage. Retinol works by fighting against sun damage that can lead to wrinkles and pigmentation appearing on your skin.
As well as skin health, oral Vitamin A supplements are important for other facets of health around the body.
- It helps to protect the eye from disease and may improve vision
- It’s also essential for the growth and maintenance of bones
- It can help to build new bone tissue and prevent the breakdown of old bone tissue
What happens when you are retinol deficient?
As time goes on, we can become Vitamin A-deficient. Vitamin A deficiency also affects thousands of people all over the world. Some common problems that can occur from a lack or deficiency of retinol include:
- Skin disorders, such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema.
- Vision problems, such as night blindness and age-related macular degeneration.
- Potential birth defects in pregnant women
- An increased risk of cancer for certain at-risk people
Can you overuse Vitamin A?
Yes, it is possible to overuse Vitamin A. When taken in high doses, vitamin A can cause skin irritation, redness, and peeling. It can also lead to vision problems, such as blurred vision and increased sensitivity to light. Additionally, taking too much vitamin A can increase the risk for birth defects in pregnant women and cancer in both men and women.
Topical use of Vitamin A, with retinol is much more simple than orally taking the supplement. It’s important to use the correct percentage of encapsulated retinol topically to treat skin conditions. By using clinically-formulated products, you can rest assured that you are using exactly what your skin needs — no more, no less.
What are the benefits of encapsulated retinol?
Retinol plays an important role in fighting against premature aging on your skin. Its main function are to:
- Prevent and fight against sun damage
- Help in preventing acne breakouts by unblocking the sebum glands on your face
- Promotes collagen and elastin growth, giving your skin a younger appearance
- Improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Stimulate collagen production and help thicken epidermis
Retinol is known as the gold standard of anti-aging ingredients as many studies have found that this active ingredient can help improve all of the above issues.
What are the risks of using encapsulated retinol?
Vitamin A is a powerful ingredient. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, it's important to find a product that contains encapsulated retinol, which will ensure it delivers the benefits with minimal irritation.
Most encapsulated retinol creams contain additional ingredients such as retinol esters, which are created from plants like hemp and hemp seed using a heat process known as hydrogenation. This changes the structure of the product into a non-acidic compound that allows for direct absorption onto the skin with minimal irritation.
Where does retinol occur naturally?
Most importantly for healthy skin, retinol is a naturally occurring Vitamin A compound. Aside from naturally occurring within the human body, retinol can also be absorbed from certain dietary elements, including:
- Animal liver, meat, and eggs
- Dairy products like milk and yoghurt
- Green vegetables like kale and spinach
- Orange foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and apricots
Finally, you can also take a supplement that contains Vitamin A such as our Skin Ultimate Pack, which contains high amounts of Vitamin A for optimal skin, hair and nail health. Before starting any new supplements you should always consult a GP if you have any questions.
How do I use products with encapsulated retinol?
While our bodies do create some Vitamin A naturally, many people may still benefit from adding retinol products to their daily routine because of how efficiently they absorb into the skin — particularly when applied at night time before bed.
When applied topically, retinol becomes effective once it has been converted into retinoic acid in the skin. This only occurs when the skin cells are able to absorb retinol and transport it to the mitochondria, which is where most of the cell's energy production takes place. It is usually combined with other ingredients in order to increase absorption and effectiveness which is why an encapsulated form of retinol is so efficient.
Retinol products should be applied once or twice daily after thoroughly cleansing your face. It may take up to 3 months before you start noticing any improvement in your skin's appearance. Retinol products do not prevent wrinkles from forming, but they can help slow down their formation by making existing wrinkles less deep and by increasing collagen production.
As always, test an encapsulated retinol product by rubbing a small amount onto your neck. If you see any redness or irritation, stop using the product immediately.
Vitamin A products from Vela Days
Encapsulated retinol can provide anti-ageing benefits to many different types of skin. Serums that contain retinol can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles on your face, but they usually only improve the appearance of sun damaged skin when used with other beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients.
Oral forms of vitamin A are also a quick way to ensure you are getting all the benefits of Vitamin A in the correct doses for optimal skin and body health.
Many different skincare brands will encourage you to use several different products together rather than just one product alone. However, Vela Days products with encapsulated retinol are specially formulated to perform at the peak of clinical efficiency. We take pride in offering our customers a condensed skincare routine, giving you more time back in your day.
Our products containing encapsulated retinol have been clinically tested to give you the best possible results in a short amount of time. Furthermore, our products are sustainably and ethically made, allowing you to rest easy knowing you are making the natural choice for yourself and the planet.
You can start your journey to clearer and more well-protected skin by using our Vela Days Active Compound. For more information about this or any of our other hemp skincare products, get in touch with our friendly team.
At Vela Days, our clinically-proven hemp skincare products can help you retain encapsulated retinol through your skin.
