Is there a difference between retinol and retinol pro? Retinol, also known as vitamin A, is an unsaturated monohydric alcohol with aliphatic ring, including vitamins A 1 and A2 from animal foods, and it is a substance with biological activity of retinol. Vitamin A 1 mostly exists in the liver of mammals and saltwater fish, while vitamin A2 often exists in the liver of freshwater fish. Because the activity of vitamin A2 is relatively low, vitamin A usually refers to vitamin A 1.

Carotenes from plants such as β -carotene can synthesize vitamin A in human body, and the conversion efficiency of β -carotene is the highest. In vivo, under the catalysis of β-carotene-15, 15'- dioxygenase (dioxygenase), β -carotene can be converted into two molecules of retinol, which is reduced to retinol by the action of retinol reductase.

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Vitamin A is a fat-soluble alcohol substance with various molecular forms. Among them, VA 1 mainly exists in the retina of animal liver, blood and eyeball, also known as retinol, with melting point of 64℃ and molecular formula of C20H30O, while VA2 mainly exists in freshwater fish, with melting point of only 17 ~ 19℃ and molecular formula of C20H28O.

Vitamin A is a component of rhodopsin that feels weak light in visual cells. Rhodopsin is composed of opsin and 1 1- cis retinoic acid, which is related to dark vision.

Lack of vitamin A in human body can lead to dry skin, desquamation, hair loss and other symptoms.

The difference between retinol and retinoid

Retinol, as a superstar in anti-aging skin care materials, can help reduce many problems such as fine lines, wrinkles, large pores, sun damage, dull skin and so on. Dermatologists and skin care experts tend to use it as an essential anti-aging ingredient. However, there is more than one kind of retinol on the market, and consumers will be confused when they know which products contain which ingredients and choose the products that are most suitable for their skin.

"When we talk about retinol, retinoids or retinoic acid, in fact, it is retinoic acid that really works on the skin," explained new york dermatologist Dendy Engelman. "Retinoic acid is an extremely effective cell information transmission component, which can connect all skin cell receptors and make them behave like healthy young cells. At the same time, it also has antioxidant effect, which can block the process of free radical damage that leads to wrinkles and other signs of aging. In addition, it can increase the production of collagen and reduce pigmentation caused by sunlight. New research points out that it also helps to make elastin. "

The difference between retinol and retinoids is that over-the-counter products usually contain ester forms of retinol (derivatives of vitamin A), such as retinol palmitate, retinol acetate, retinol linoleate and so on. (These names can generally be seen on the product ingredient label). "These esters must be converted into retinoic acid in the skin before they can be used by the skin. Basically, the more times you need to convert, the weaker the effect. "

This is why many people turn to dermatologists and plastic surgeons for prescription tretinoin (retinoic acid and retinoic acid), which has higher tretinoin content, while the content of over-the-counter products is usually only 0.5-2%.

"Biologically, retinol and retinoids play the same role-but it takes longer for retinol products to see the effect because they are weak." Dr. engelmann said that if you continue to use these two ingredients, you will find that fine lines, wrinkles, skin color and skin texture have all been improved. "You will notice that the skin is more resistant to environmental damage. As time goes by, the skin is more and more tolerant to retinol and retinoids, and even sensitive skin can be' trained' to accept them."

For patients with severe sun damage or acne, prescription retinol, such as tazarotene and retinoic acid, will have better effect, but if your skin is sensitive, it is best to use mild over-the-counter retinol products first.

Products containing retinol can only be used at night, because sunlight will inactivate retinoic acid, so it is best to use it every other day at first to make your skin adapt gradually. In addition, retinol products can be mixed with daily moisturizing cream and facial oil to buffer the stimulation caused by retinol.

It is also very important: don't use too much, about the size of mung beans is enough for the whole face. In addition, dermatologists suggest that retinol products should also be routinely used for hand, neck and chest skin.