OfCourseVegan Article: The Reality of Retinol

Of Course Vegan
The Reality of Retinol
by: Stephanie Gagne
Article posted on Of Course Vegan at: http://ofcoursevegan.com/2013/06/09/the-reality-of-retinol/

RETINOL!  IT’S A MIRACLE INGREDIENT!

WELL, NOT SO MUCH...RETINOL IS SIMPLY A FORM OF VITAMIN A.  THE COMMON CLAIM WITH RETINOL IS THAT IT IS A FAST, EFFECTIVE TOOL TO REVERSE FINE LINES AND WRINKLES. WITHOUT THE FANCY MARKETING, HOWEVER, RETINOL AND VITAMIN A HAVE THE SAME BENEFITS AS MANY OTHER VITAMINS AND NUTRIENTS.  A BY-PRODUCT OF THE VEAL INDUSTRY, THIS INGREDIENT STEMS FROM THE FACTORY FARMS AND SLAUGHTERHOUSES WE KNOW ALL TOO WELL.  RATHER THAN SUPPORT THESE INDUSTRIES, LOOK FOR NATURAL SOURCES OF ANTIOXIDANTS, AND VITAMINS A, C, AND E FOR ANTI-AGING EFFECTS.  SINCE THESE VITAMINS CAN BE FOUND IN MANY PLANT-DERIVED OILS, THE USE OF ANIMAL-DERIVED, OVERLY PROCESSED INGREDIENTS IS QUITE OBVIOUSLY UNNECESSARY.  FORGET IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION, THE TRUE MIRACLE CURE IS “PREVENTION AND MAINTENANCE” WITH QUALITY PRODUCTS.

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RETINOL IS A RETINOID, ONE FORM OF THE VITAMIN A FROM AN ANIMAL SOURCE LIKE EGGS, DAIRY, AND MOST OFTEN CALF LIVER.

BEING READILY AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE BODY, RETINOL IS CONSIDERED TO BE A MORE EFFECTIVE, MORE CONCENTRATED FORM OF VITAMIN A THAN PLANT SOURCES.

REGARDLESS OF ITS CONCENTRATION, RETINOL IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE AND WILL DETERIORATE QUICKLY WHEN EXPOSED.  DUE TO IMPROPER HANDLING AND PACKAGING, IT CAN POSSIBLY ALREADY BE INEFFECTIVE BY THE TIME YOU GET HOME WITH YOUR PRODUCTS!

ANOTHER, MORE STABLE FORM OF VITAMIN A IS IN CAROTENOIDS FOUND IN VEGETABLES LIKE BROCCOLI, CARROTS, SQUASH AND IN SOME PLANTS.

CAROTENOIDS ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE AND MUST BE CONVERTED BY THE BODY TO VITAMIN A, HOWEVER THEY DO NOT DETERIORATE AS RAPIDLY AS RETINOLS.

Vitamin A benefits, whether Retinols or Carotenoids, include aiding in the growth of outer cell layers and helping repair surface damage.  It is an antioxidant with an exfoliating-like effect on the outer cell structure of skin.  Plant-derived fats like Avocado Oil, Mango Butter and Shea Butter all naturally contain high levels of Vitamin A.  Look for products with these ingredients to help repair damage and maintain healthy skin without the cruelty