We will explain to you exactly how it works.
Retinol has long been known as the ‘miracle remedy’ for silky soft and even skin. So when it was reported that the legislation regarding retinol was being tightened, we had to swallow. But what exactly do these new rules mean for our favorite beauty products?
Retinol
Retinol is seen by many people as the holy grail of skincare. It is a form of vitamin A that can restore skin renewal, reduce signs of skin aging, fade pigment spots and provide an even complexion. It can also help reduce acne. At the same time, retinol is a somewhat complicated ingredient. If you dose or use it incorrectly, you can seriously irritate and dry out your skin.
Vitamin A
There has now been much speculation and discussion about the safety of vitamin A on the skin, and the European Union also got wind of the ‘miracle ingredient’. They decided to set up a special committee to investigate the safety of vitamin A. And although the committee concluded that the ingredient is in principle safe, they do want to limit the amount of it in cosmetic products.
Skincare expert Dr. Sam Bunting explains to Stylist: “The reason for this is that too much vitamin A can result in health problems such as liver damage. In addition, very high amounts can be harmful to pregnant women and their unborn child. With this measure, they want to keep the risk of harm as low as possible for consumers who use retinol products without professional guidance.”
Forbidden products
Currently, cosmetic products contain varying percentages of retinol, sometimes even up to 2%. However, according to new legislation, the maximum permitted percentage of retinol is only 0.3%. Does this mean we have to immediately say goodbye to our favorite skincare products? No, fortunately not. There will be a transition period of 3 years, during which brands will be given time to adapt their formulas to the new legislation.
The familiar products will still be on the shelves until 2026, but then they will be replaced by new formulas with lower percentages of retinol. But fortunately, 0.3% retinol also has plenty of benefits for the skin, according to Dr. Bunting. This smaller amount also stimulates collagen production, cleanses the pores and helps prevent acne. Good thing, too!
Source: Marie Claire, Stylist | Image: Pexels
