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Every anti-aging skincare routine needs one ingredient: retinol.
Retinol is the cornerstone of every effective skincare regimen. By stimulating cell turnover and collagen production, retinol can help your skin look more youthful and glowing.
With that in mind, if you’re looking for an ingredient to help minimize dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, it’s a good idea to start looking out for products with retinol.
Jennifer Chwalek, MD of Union Square Laser Dermatology tells Elle about the effectiveness of retinol products: "Prescription Retin-A and Tretinoin and over the counter retinols increase skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen synthesis."
She adds, "With consistent use of a topical retinol or Retin-A you can see improvement of fine lines, dark spots, texture, and tone."
However, retinol can be a problem for sensitive skin.
Dermatologists sometimes recommend bakuchiol, nicknamed "nature’s retinol," as a milder alternative.
Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York based dermatologist, explains that this botanical extract can be a useful addition to an anti-aging routine.
"[Bakuchiol] does help stimulate collagen in the skin," he explains, "It’s not as potent as retinol, but it’s completely non-irritating, so it can be used as an alternative to retinol in people who have sensitive skin."
Plus, if you put these two ingredients together, they are even more effective.
According to Paula’s Choice, "Research shows that bakuchiol and retinol work even better together. Plant-derived bakuchiol is one of a few ingredients that can stabilize retinol, allowing it to work more effectively and for longer, even at a lower concentration."
With that in mind, by looking out for ingredients like retinol and bakuchiol, you could be doing your skin--and yourself--a huge favor. So if your skincare routine needs an update, consider investing in powerful anti-aging ingredients that will work to make your skin look its best.
