VITAMIN A & RETINOL, A NATURAL ALTERNATIVE

Spring is soon arriving and we’ll be back to more and more outdoor activities as the weather warms. This is the time of year when your skin is dry, drab and lacking its usual radiance due to the harsh cold season that is now ending. You may have various skin problems such as eczema, rosacea, blemishes, tight skin, inflammation or the appearance of blackheads.

What is natural retinol?

Retinol is an active form of vitamin A, essential for healthy skin. This molecule works on melanin synthesis, stimulates collagen production and calms inflammation for incredibly smooth skin. 

There are two main forms of vitamin A: the first, beta-carotene or provitamin A, is mainly of plant origin (found in vegetable oils); the second, retinol, is of animal origin (cod liver oil, etc.) or synthetic. 

Beta-carotene is a precursor antioxidant of vitamin A. It’s also called provitamin A . 

It acts on the fibroblasts (which ensure the suppleness and elasticity of the skin) while stimulating the synthesis of collagen (which limits the loss of firmness) and angiogenesis (manufacturing of the small vessels responsible for a healthy glow). It helps regulate the synthesis of melanin (pigment that gives skin its color) and plays an anti-inflammatory role (against dryness and redness) for incredibly smooth skin. 

The benefits of natural retinol

Vegetable oils rich in provitamin A are much gentler and therefore much better tolerated by the skin than synthetic retinol, which needs to be handled with care. 

Among the benefits are::
- Good tolerance by sensitive skin
- No risk of photosensitization
- No contraindication for pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Can be used: daily morning and evening in any season

Unlike pure (synthetic) retinol, which should be handled with care and which requires time for the body to acclimate, so as not to irritate the skin (especially sensitive, dry and thin skin). It is also not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Three (3) must-have essential vegetable oils for a radiant complexion!

Sea buckthorn oil
An ingredient in our following serums: Iris, Gaia, Natura and Acne

One of our favorites, sea buckthorn oil promotes cell renewal and helps improve the appearance and hydration of the epidermis. It’s composition is complete: it has antioxidant properties, is anti-infectious (limits the proliferation of bacteria), healing (limits the appearance of unsightly marks) and is restorative.

It contains a large amount of beta-carotene (pro vitamin A), is high in fatty acids (omegas-3 and omegas-6), palmitoleic acid and vitamin F, which protect against free radicals. Its richness in carotenoids gives an undeniable healthy glow to skin. 

One of the best ways to support your epidermis in its regeneration process is to boost it with the right nutrients. Sea Buckthorn has some of the highest concentrations of vitamins A and C in the plant kingdom, making it the ultimate oil for healthy skin! It contains about 12 times more vitamin C than an orange and nearly 200 phytonutrients (1). Appreciated for its ability to lighten skin spots and pigmentation and to stimulate collagen for firmer skin, vitamin C is a true vitamin elixir for those who love having radiant skin. 

Sea buckthorn contains many antioxidants proven to be more beneficial than others in the fight against free radicals (2) 

Sea buckthorn, also known as Hippophae Rhamnoides, is a small orange shrub berry mainly found in the cold mountains of Asia, Europe and Canada.

Avocado oil
An ingredient in our following serums: Jasper, Natura, V for stretch marks.

The delicious combination of vitamins and antioxidants in avocado oil is perfect for dull skin lacking its usual radiance.

Fatty acids are essential for regenerating, rebuilding, and boosting your skin this time of year. The high dose of phytosterols (plant compounds) in the oil help prevent moisture loss and keep your skin hydrated. Antioxidants (provitamin A and vitamins C and E) neutralize free radicals that attack skin cells. Provitamin A gives your skin radiance and helps fight against the signs of aging. 

Avocado is a true ally in the fight against free radicals and anti-aging. 

Avocado oil is one of the richest oils due to its very generous composition. Very rich in butyrous oil which has many healing properties, it’s often recommended for reducing the appearance of stretch marks.

Rosehip oil
An ingredient in our C serum(which reduces scars, discolourations and acne) as well as our Anti-Stretch Mark Body Oil V.

This oil is absolutely fantastic! It’s naturally rich in vitamins A and C, as well as essential fatty acids. Rosehip oil is a favorite for boosting cell renewal. 

Healing, repairing, nourishing, revitalizing, softening, Rosehip oil helps repair the skin in-depth.

You can use it to reduce the harmful effects of UV damage (anti-aging treatment) but also to reduce scars such as those left by acne (when the acne is over, of course), pigment spots due to the sun or to scars, as well as stretch marks.

Rosehip oil acts as an anti-aging and anti-stain treatment and as well as a moisturizer. It’s suitable for almost all skin types. Those with dry to very dry skin (and mature skin) can use it on its own. Those with oily and acne-prone skin can use it locally on scars and pigment spots in tandem with other vegetable oils for better overall tolerance.


Source
1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5438513/
2 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5438513/