What is retinoic acid used for?

You may have heard about the use of retinoic acid on the skin and have been left wondering what it really is, where it comes from, and more importantly, what this substance is used for, which has become so well-known overnight. It’s frequently mentioned by experts in the field of skin care as well as by those who are fans of maintaining a complexion free of as many imperfections as possible.

And it is that, day by day we hear about new names, formulas or substances that are discovered or, although they already existed and had very recognized effects, they had not yet entered the collective knowledge nor obtained the leading role that they possibly deserved. These substances suddenly gain significant popularity, to the point of being mentioned almost everywhere without many people understanding what they are.

In most cases, the answers to the possible questions that arise when we first hear a substance named are not as complicated as we might have thought at the beginning. This makes it possible that after a bit of reading we can determine if this substance really brings benefits to the skin or if it’s a mere myth worth passing over.

In this case, we will talk exclusively about retinoic acid, a substance that has gained great fame as an ally of facial beauty, promising to be of great help when it comes to treating a huge number of common problems that appear on facial skin over various stages of life. So if you still don’t know what it is or what this mentioned acid is for, we invite you to keep reading as we will do our best to clarify all your doubts.

What is retinoic acid really and where can it be acquired

Also known by the name of Tretinoin, retinoic acid is nothing more than the active form of vitamin A. A vitamin quite famous in the world of skin care for presenting great action qualities that help cover a huge number of imperfections and conditions that can be suffered in the dermis, mainly in the area of the face.

This vitamin stands out for having the ability to help the body improve the quality of the collagen it produces, although it is not entirely certain if it helps increase the quantity of it. In addition to achieving firmer skin, improving the wound healing process and reducing oiliness. All this makes vitamin A one of the favorite ingredients of skin care product manufacturers.

As for the form known as retinoic acid, it turns out to be one of the most conventional ways to get vitamin A. This compound can be very easily acquired, either in pharmacies or in stores specialized in body care products where it is more common in concentrations of 0.01%, 0.1% or even higher amounts that reach up to 5%.

It usually comes in a liquid presentation, in a small container with a dropper included, similar to the one used to market facial serums, but also in creams, ointments and even in the form of capsules to be ingested, making it a substance that can be included in a daily routine without the need for much effort or following any kind of special routine.

Is retinoic acid the same as retinol?

It is very possible that after hearing retinoic acid mentioned for the first time, you directly associated it with retinol, even thinking that it is just a different way of referring to the same substance. Something that, while it can be understood due to the similarity in names, is actually a serious mistake that is better to avoid making again.

Both substances have an origin and certain shared qualities, but they are not the same product or complex. Both retinol and retinoic acid are part of the family of retinoids derived from vitamin A, but they vary in both how they are obtained and the action they perform in the body and the effects they provide both to the appearance of the skin and to the organism itself.

Retinoic acid, as mentioned above, is the active form of vitamin A, being the most potent and effective way to obtain the properties of this substance in the body. This quality of power and high concentration causes it to provide favorable results in a much shorter period of time than its cousin, retinol, but it also means its application is intended for slightly different purposes.

Retinol itself is applied to the skin or used as an active ingredient in products that aim primarily at preventing the appearance of certain skin damage, such as spots or acne. It is also often applied as an alternative treatment to combat mild skin infections, such as early-stage acne.

On the other hand, retinoic acid is usually marketed more as a controlled treatment to deal with moderate to severe acne problems, fight wrinkles, and recover lost firmness in the skin. This substance is often recommended by doctors and dermatologists as a treatment, so it is considered more a medication than just another cosmetic product.

That’s where the main difference between retinol and retinoic acid lies. While one is applied to the skin frequently, the other is more intended for therapeutic use or as a treatment that has proven to be effective in a large number of situations that require a bit more concentration and action power than retinol can offer.

Another important difference to note between these two vitamin A-rich compounds is that the biological formula of retinoic acid is much more active than that found in most other substances that make up the group of retinoids, including retinol itself.

This is because most of them require undergoing a transformation process to be effectively absorbed by the skin, while in the case of retinoic acid, this process is not necessary at all, but it is already found in its purest form, ready to be absorbed by the skin and directly fulfill its function.

What is retinoic acid really used for

This substance is easy to find and acquire either in pharmacies or in specialty stores, where it is often purchased by those who are looking for options to care for their skin and treat various conditions. But often some people use it incorrectly for not knowing for certain for what reasons it is most indicated and which on the contrary, it turns out to be a very impractical product.

It is extremely important to really know what the capabilities and limits are not only of retinoic acid but of any substance you plan to apply to your face or any area of your skin. Therefore, below we will describe in a general way what the best uses are and in which cases we most advise resorting to this substance.

To treat acne on the skin

Among its main real functions is to eliminate or significantly reduce the appearance of acne, whether it is inflammatory or non-inflammatory type or if it is still in an initial phase or already represents a more advanced problem that has managed to damage your skin more concentratedly.

In this condition, retinoic acid plays a more effective role than other retinoids, and may be the perfect solution for those who have tried other options without achieving real results or for those who suffer from this problem very recurrently. This is so real that today, many dermatologists often recommend to their patients to apply this substance to their face to gradually eliminate acne both in the already visible lesions and in those that have not yet been noticed superficially on the skin.

For this, it is common to resort to retinoic acid either through its direct application to the skin or through the ingestion of capsules that contain it. For this treatment, most dermatologists usually focus on commercial presentations that contain a concentration between 0.01% and 0.1% depending on the severity of acne, as these low doses are more than enough in most cases.

As a very effective exfoliant

It is also common for retinoic acid to be applied as a chemical exfoliant in treatments such as peeling or similar, resorting to the highest concentrations of this substance, which range between 1% and 5% depending on the case and the results sought. This substance has the ability to promote the quality of collagen as well as to increase both the levels of elastin and hyaluronic acid in the skin.

Thanks to this, when used as an exfoliant in some treatments, the result is a renewed skin, with a more pleasant texture almost instantly, much more moisturized and after several sessions of constant use even free of spots and with a much more uniform tone. Results for which many times you usually require more than one commercial product.

As a way to reduce wrinkles

The use that many consider as the star function offered by retinoic acid and the one that motivates more than one to consider it as a must-have at home to be able to apply it on the skin whenever necessary is none other than the ability of this substance to help us in the fight against the most characteristic signs of aging, wrinkles.

These marks begin to appear on the skin gradually, as a result of various factors among which we find the lack of collagen and inadequate moisturization of the skin. To counteract these effects and prevent them, retinoic acid has the interesting quality of acting as a very effective healing agent, which helps to fill these marks from the inside while preventing the formation of new lines.

To prevent photoaging of the skin

When we refer to photoaging we are talking about the damage caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight on the skin, more specifically to the cutaneous aging produced by the action of ultraviolet rays or UV rays on our skin, which can come either prematurely as well as accompanied by other signs and symptoms more in line with the current age of the person who suffers the marks.

This exposure produces an effect of accelerated aging, by altering the composition of the skin affecting both the internal and external layers, something that many times despite being able to avoid is not a cause of our attention until it is too late and the effects have become something practically impossible to reverse without the help of specialized surgical procedures.

Despite being an area that many tend to overlook, it is also a central point of attention for a large number of people, who have taken the time to learn to determine the serious problem that excessive sun exposure can represent both to the appearance and general health of their skin.

In this, retinoic acid also serves as a great help, being able to reverse the effects of sun exposure before they become totally permanent. The only downside is that by itself, it makes the surface of the skin a bit sensitive to the sun for some people, so it is recommended to accompany it with a layer of sunscreen.

Suggestions when applying it on the skin

It is important to mention that due to its high concentration and power of action in many countries retinoic acid can only be acquired if you have a medical prescription issued by a dermatologist. In this case, it is most likely that if you need to apply it on your skin, your doctor will indicate all the measures, recommendations, and suggestions that you must take into account to avoid getting any adverse reactions.

But, it never hurts to take some time to learn what the measures are that are not only optional but that you must necessarily follow while you are frequently applying this product to your skin to avoid ending up irritating your face and leading you to require a more specific and even costly treatment.

Accompany it with sunscreen

We have already touched on this point a little further up, and it is that if you plan to expose your skin to the sun after having applied this substance on your face regardless of the concentration or presentation of the product, it is extremely important that you cover your skin with sunscreen, which must have at least an SPF of 30 to prevent your skin from becoming sensitive.

Moisturize your skin before applying it

As we have mentioned several times, retinoic acid stands out for a quite high power of action, which helps you achieve the benefits of vitamin A in a shorter period of time than estimated with other retinoids, but it does not mean you can apply it directly on your face without first taking some precautions since it can easily become an irritating substance.

The ideal is that before placing the retinoic acid you apply to your entire face a light protective layer that prevents this acid from coming into totally direct contact with your skin, for this you can use the help of a good quality moisturizing cream, which should preferably be of low concentration and without the quality of being absorbed quickly by the skin.

Store the retinoic acid properly

A very important point that is not often considered or mentioned by some dermatologists due to its simplicity but that represents a very important factor that you should not overlook is the way and place where the product will be stored between each application. Depending on the presentation, retinoic acid may require being stored in a particular way to prevent it from gradually losing its properties.

The advisable thing is that no matter what type of retinoic acid you have acquired, opt to store it in a dark place, away from any source of excessive moisture, direct sunlight, and any product with strong fragrance that may fall on it, in addition to being out of the reach of children or pets.

If you liked our article on retinoic acid, but you are still not clear if it is or is not the ideal product for the specific needs of your skin, you can consult our special article titled Is retinoic acid effective for wrinkles?

With this information it becomes quite clear that retinoic acid really is a product that can bring a large number of benefits to the skin, but it requires in an obligatory way to be administered with enough care and if possible under the expert eye of a doctor or dermatologist. So if you still want to encourage yourself and include it in your daily routine, go ahead, but don’t forget to consult the specialist first who will help you clear all your doubts.