Hello. My Name is Susan, and I'm a Retinolic.

I’ve been using for almost 4 years. It started with a few dabs around my smile lines and quickly progressed to my forehead. Before I knew it, I was using every day, all over my face, and sometimes even on my neck. I saw results,what can I say? So I kept at it. I watched my fine lines disappear and my skin began to look younger. I wondered if it was an illusion. It wasn’t. I blame my esthetician really; she was such a pusher, I admit it, I caved…and it was all uphill from there…

Retinol in its basic form is Vitamin A, one of the most powerful antioxidants (free-radical scavengers), and the most beneficial vitamin for the preservation, rejuvenation, and reparation of the skin. When it is broken down into its smallest and most active form, Retinoic Acid's molecules are tiny enough to penetrate into the deepest layers of the skin, making it able to support and nudge the skin’s elastin and collagen to step into high gear. The result: smooth lines, diminished wrinkles, plump, firm skin, and a glowing complexion.

With more active skin cells, more can be accomplished (go inertia!). Increased cellular turnover leads to a stronger cell network (line prevention), deeper exfoliation and clearing out of the pores (diminished breakouts), and regeneration of collagen (that’s right, plumping up of wrinkles), and the effect is cumulative and visible. Of course Vitamin A is naturally occurring and can be found in many foods like greens, dairy, and fruit, and is beneficial to your whole body, but I’d prefer to ensure full facial coverage rather than rely on my body to dole it out especially to my smile lines.

So, that brings me back to my addiction: Retinol. My favorite one is Skin Medica’s Retinol Complex, and for sensitive skin, 302 Skincare’s Vitamin A Drops is my recommendation.

You don’t necessarily need a fancy skin care brand to absorb the benefits; almost every major skin care laboratory has infused retinol into one of more of its drug store brand products. Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Serum or Olay® Total Effects® Targeted Wrinkle Repair, each with a less potent form of retinoic acid than their spa skincare line counterparts, are more accessible yet still viable options for the Retinol addict.

Now I leave you with the very question that pushed me down the slippery slope of wrinkle reduction forever: Do you want better skin?

A-men.