

Does retinol win Most Popular skin care ingredient? It’s hard to name a product-savvy celeb, friend or beauty blogger who hasn’t raved about its wonders. Dermatologists refer to retinol as the gold standard anti-aging ingredient. “It’s an essential part of any anti-aging skin care regimen,” says London-based board-certified dermatologist and Clinique Derm Pro Dr. Emma Wedgeworth. Here’s the science behind this skin care superhero:
All about vitamin A
Retinol is a pure form of vitamin A that helps speed up cell turnover, which is the rate at which your skin sheds dead cells. As you age, cell turnover naturally slows down. When dead cells start to pile up, your skin can look dull and wrinkles can look more pronounced. Retinol kicks cell turnover into overdrive, sloughing off the dead cells, allowing for fresh, radiant young cells to surface. “This makes your skin look smoother and reduces the look of wrinkles,” says Dr. Wedgeworth.

