A is a highly sought-after anti-aging ingredient in recent years, with major brands launching skincare products containing A, mainly used for anti-aging, anti-acne, improving large pores, tightening skin, and even hailed as the golden standard for addressing signs of skin aging. Even dermatologists highly recommend this new anti-aging star. What exactly is A? What is the difference between A and A acid? Let’s break it down for you.
Discover the gift of anti-aging: A tonic
Retinol, also known as “Vitamin A,” is a derivative of fat-soluble Vitamin A, known for its anti-aging effects. Retinol can penetrate deep into the skin, promote keratin renewal, accelerate cell metabolism, thereby refining pores, lightening dullness, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing rough skin texture, and tightening the skin, effectively delaying skin aging.
What is the difference between AHA and BHA?
Vitamin A has four members: A ester, A alcohol, A aldehyde, and A acid. A acid is the first one approved by the US FDA for treating acne externally. However, A acid has a higher concentration of fruit acid, so it is relatively more irritating and has more side effects, easily causing sensitive discomfort such as itching, stinging, and redness on the skin, and is not suitable as a skincare ingredient. A alcohol will be transformed by the human body, with relatively lower irritability than A acid, and is more gentle, so it is used as a substitute for A acid in various skincare products.
Does long-term use of Retin-A make the skin thinner?
Due to the ability of vitamin A to accelerate the metabolism of old keratin, promote the growth of collagen, and renew the skin, it effectively enhances the skin’s tolerance. Therefore, using vitamin A appropriately will not thin the skin, but instead, the more you use it, the healthier and more resilient your skin will become.
Does alcohol have any side effects on the skin?
Everyone’s skin tolerance is different. Although A retinol is relatively low in irritation, if the concentration is too high or the amount used is excessive, there is a chance of skin side effects, such as skin tingling, redness, dryness, peeling, and temporary acne breakouts. The skin needs an adaptation period, so it is recommended that everyone should start with low-concentration A retinol skincare products, starting with 1 to 2 times a week, and then gradually increase the frequency of use, greatly reducing the chance of A retinol causing side effects on the skin.
Is A Toner Suitable for Everyone?
Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or those using hormonal treatments are not suitable for using skincare products with A alcohol ingredients. If you have severely sensitive skin, try to avoid using A alcohol and any other easily irritating acid products, and it is recommended to consult a professional dermatologist first.
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A recommended skincare product
MZ Skin Luxury Retinol Essence
The formula uses a higher level of active ingredient combination, which can greatly reduce skin irritation while enhancing the effectiveness of retinol. Retinol, in synergy, transforms into retinoic acid in the skin, thereby enhancing effectiveness, helping to repair the skin, and allowing the skin to regenerate. The new formula not only promotes cell metabolism, resists free radical damage to the skin, but also effectively regulates sebum secretion, making the skin younger and more radiant.
Dermalogica Age Smart Biolumin-C Serum
Containing 3.5% high-dose and fast-acting lutein complex, using advanced retinol-like compound and enhancement technology, it helps reduce four signs of skin aging, diminish wrinkles, smooth delicate skin texture, even out skin tone, and more effectively improve large pores without damaging skin health, acting faster than other anti-aging essences.
KIEHL’S Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Concentrate
Containing 0.3% pure A alcohol high-activity release technology, the essence can be quickly and completely absorbed by the skin, and directly penetrate up to 15 layers of the skin, accelerating cell renewal, helping new skin cells to the skin surface, anti-wrinkle effect more significant, rejuvenating youthful vitality to the skin.
Drunk Elephant Retinol Cream
The silky moisturizing bright eye essence contains a gentle and effective 0.1% vegan retinol, 3% antioxidant-rich caffeine, and copper peptide ingredients, which can target improving fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, reducing puffiness, and making the skin around the eyes radiant and youthful.
OLEHENRIKSEN Age-Defying 0.3% Retinol Night Serum
Formulated with two professional-grade, gentle and effective Nordic plant complexes to balance and revitalize the skin while replenishing moisture. The essence contains 0.3% vegan capsule A alcohol and vitamin A precursor, which can reduce wrinkles and achieve long-term moisturizing and anti-aging effects; while the soothing plant complex of aloe vera juice, Nordic hawthorn pulp, and birch sap can calm and awaken the skin, while alleviating any discomfort caused by other A alcohols on the market.
ORIGINS Plantscription Anti-Aging Power Serum
Containing Vitamin A and gentle active plant extracts, including the brand’s iconic African Baobab, helps activate the skin’s main collagen such as elastin, collagen, and reticular fibers, effectively reducing facial fine lines and smoothing the skin, in just 2 weeks to combat 3 major wrinkle problems: nasolabial folds, forehead fine lines, and expression lines.
MALIN+GOETZ A Rum Repair Serum
Containing a complex blend of vitamins, including Vitamin A, it can prevent and address the most common signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, firmness, hydration, while also neutralizing free radicals and protecting the skin from environmental pollution. The innovative formula’s professional design uses delayed-release capsule compression technology to deliver powerful results in the gentlest way.
