Now more than any other period of time more effective skin treatment products are now available. The fact of the matter is that it was through extensive research into to the actual dynamics of wrinkle formation and other symptoms of aging and sun exposure that has led to the development of so many great new products that actually work.

In the past, skin treatment and therapy products functioned on the skins surface where the wrinkles and age spots were occurring with limited success. These oil based skin care products softened up the skin which helped in cases where dry skin was exacerbating an existing problem but they did nothing with regards to what was actually causing the wrinkles and age spots.

One of the many things that was discovered through research was that it was a thinning of a layer in the skins substrate called the dermal epidermal junction that was the leading contributing factor to fine wrinkles on the thin skin of the face.

These are the wrinkles commonly referred to as crows feet. Substances were developed that have the effect of thickening the dermal epidermal junction by stimulating your skin to produce collagen and the result of a thicker dermal epidermal junction in the skins substrate is shorter and shallower crows feet wrinkles.

After your skin has tanned and become darker your skin has a natural process by which it rids itself of the pigment that is the cause of the tan. This is why your tan will eventually fade away. By studying and learning to understand the process by which the skin rids itself of pigment great inroads have been made with regards to the development of products that have the effect of stimulating your skin to eliminate excess pigment in areas commonly known as age spots.

Dermatologists praise Retinol as an excellent over-the counter anti-wrinkle ingredient. Retinol creams work to soften lines and fade age spots.

WHAT IS RETINOL?

Retinol is the technical name for Vitamin A. Research suggests that topical Vitamin A can help build collagen fibers and exfoliate the skin, thereby minimizing the appearance of fine lines.

There are several forms of Vitamin A found in the body. Retinol is one of them; other forms include retinyl palmitate, retinal and retinoic acid. Renova and Retin-A® are retinoic acid, also known as tretinoin.

WHY USE A RETINOL CREAM?

Regular use of a retinol cream increases cell turnover and exfoliation by stimulating cell production and new collagen production. As we age, this process normally slows down and layers of dead, sun damaged skin cells build up on the skin. This causes our skin to look dull and thick; pores look large and we see the visible effects of sun damage such as age spots, uneven skin tone and less elasticity.

Using a retinol cream will encourage the exfoliation of these dead skin cells so healthier cells can surface. Skin will appear softer and smoother and pores will appear smaller. Skin will look younger and healthier. With the stimulation of collagen production, skin cells will be plumper, more like they were in our youth.

The cell rejuvenation caused by vitamin A has also been shown to be helpful on acne patients because the exfoliation unclogs pores and helps fade acne scars.

When looking for a vitamin A or retinol creme product, look for one with a high enough level of retinol to be effective.

POPULAR RETINOL-CONTAINING PRODUCTS

Vitamin A or Retinol is the main ingredient found in the skin creams and lotions of several popular product lines including DDF, SkinScience, and M.D. Forte.

Valerie Goettsch is webmaster of the site Skin-Sage.com, which is dedicated to reviewing anti-aging and anti-wrinkle skin care products and offering tips on achieving younger looking skin.