Retinol is often hailed as a miracle ingredient for its numerous benefits on the skin, but this popularity has also given rise to many myths. One such belief is that retinol accelerates skin aging. But what is the truth?
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Does Retinol Cause Aging?
Summary
Published January 6, 2023,
updated on February 20, 2024,
by
Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences
—
2 min read
Practically speaking, no. Indeed, a common misconception circulates about retinol that it accelerates skin aging. This myth is based on the potential irritant effect of retinol. On the contrary, retinol is one of the most widely used and effective active ingredients to minimize the appearance of all visible signs of aging and sun damage, but also to combat skin conditions such as acne and target areas of pigmentation.
Numerous scientific studies have reported the "anti-wrinkle" effects of retinol through its inhibition of the activation of metalloproteinase-1, an enzyme capable of degrading interstitial collagen, induced by UVA in human skin fibroblasts and by increasing the synthesis of type I collagen in the sub-epidermal dermis in mice. Furthermore, retinol has the ability to stimulate the regeneration of epidermal cells.
Sources
KIM B.-H. Safety evaluation and anti-wrinkle effects of retinoids on skin. Toxicological Research (2010).
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