You may have heard the word RETINOL being spoken about lately. Let’s break it down so you leave this post with all the knowledge, delivered in the simplest way:
What is it?
Retinol is simply another name for vitamin A. It’s a type of retinoid, the family of chemical compounds related to vitamin A.
What does it do?
When retinol and other retinoids come into contact with skin, enzymes in the body convert the retinol into retinoic acid, the active form of the vitamin. Retinoic acid works to increase cell turnover, diminish lines and wrinkles, stimulate collagen and elastin production and fade age spots and discolorations.
What is it used for?
Since it aids in healthy skin turnover, retinol can treat and prevent everything from stubborn cystic acne and eczema to sun-induced wrinkles and dark spots.
What makes Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules different?
Retinol is extremely sensitive to light and air and by placing the retinol in a capsule format this allows it to retain its potency in each application, making the Retinol Ceramide capsules 76% more potent than unencapsulated retinol.
I think everyone is familiar with the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules (those little globes of golden goodness). These new capsules are combined with the original in a morning and evening skin routine, making them a powerhouse in one little pink capsule to visibly diminish lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone, texture and minimising the appearance of pores, age spots and discoloration.
If you have been reading my blog for a while you will know that I have a love affair with active ingredients and I will always include retinol into my skincare routine – it’s the one ingredient that has transformed my skin: from the fine lines on my forehead to the pores on my nose and even the overall tone of my skin is a lot brighter, plumper and fresh looking.
The Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules are the easiest way to include retinol into your night-time skincare routine… I like to use the Retinol Ceramide Capsules as my night time serum so my routine would go as follows: wash and cleanse my face, apply eye cream and then one capsule.
The consistency of the Retinol Ceramide Capsules is that of a thick serum with the silkiest finish. If you’re already a fan of the original Elizabeth Arden Advanced Ceramide Capsules, they can be used in conjunction with the Retinol Ceramide Capsules, as Dr Dendy Engleman, Celebrity Dermatologist points out:
“Both capsules play different yet complementary roles. Think of it this way – you brush your teeth every day, and you wouldn’t skip that step for a whitening treatment. Advanced Ceramide Capsules provide daily support to your skin, and Retinol Ceramide Capsules help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, texture and tone.”
If you are interested to give the new Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules a try, be sure to pop by an Elizabeth Arden counter at selected Edgars, Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths to test one out.
*Note that retinol needs to be used as part of a night time skincare routine.
**Safety of Retinol in pregnancy hasn’t been established