How retinoids work
To understand how retinoids work, it is useful to understand the process of skin cell turnover. Our skin naturally sheds dead cells from the top layer of the skin and replaces them with newer cells from the deeper layers. This process keeps our skin looking healthy and youthful. For a young adult, this process takes about 28 days. However, as we age, this process slows down, resulting in dead cells staying on the surface of the skin for longer periods of time. In turn, this can contribute to the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin.
It is also useful to understand what collagen does. Collagen is a key protein in the skin that provides structure and elasticity. As we age, the production of collagen decreases, leading to a loss of elasticity in the skin and the formation of wrinkles.
Retinoids work as an anti-aging treatment by doing two things: [1] [2]
- Increasing cell turnover, thus helping the skin shed dead cells more quickly so they can be replaced by newer cells.
- Promoting the production of collagen, adding structure and elasticity to the skin.
