Retinol for Cellulite Reduction

. As a potent form of Vitamin A, Retinol has been widely used in the skin care industry to assist in smoothing out rough spots, decreasing fine lines, restoring natural color and skin tone and diminishing wrinkles. There is quite a bit of controversy regarding the safety of Retinol in its purest form, but it is still included in a number of today’s cellulite creams and other skin care products.

Retinol: What is It?

Retinol is a type of Vitamin A that belongs to the retinoid family. This family of chemical compounds is thought to be one of the few substances of its kind because its molecular structure is small enough to penetrate the skin’s outer layers and repair deeper layers of the skin.

Cellulite and Retinol

Many of today’s cellulite treatments include Retinol as an active ingredient, but they fail to mention the drawbacks of using topical Retinol. When retinoic acid is applied directly to the skin it can cause a considerable amount of irritation and photo-sensitivity. While cellulite may be treated by topical retinoic acid, the trade-off isn’t really worth it.

Is Retinol an Effective Cellulite Reducer?

This may seem to contradict what we said earlier, but Retinol is an effective cellulite reducer. There is one condition, though – it is most safe and effective when used as Retinyl Palmitate. Retinyl Palmitate is a more stable type of Retinol because it doesn’t convert into retinoic acid until it has been metabolized by the skin. At this point, the irritation and photo-sensitivity associated with the direct application of retinoic acid are no longer an issue.

How Can I Reduce Cellulite?

Once of the most effective methods for reducing cellulite involves the use of a cellulite cream that has Retinyl Palmitate as one of its main ingredients. This retinoid has all the benefits of pure retinol without the irritation. Keep in mind that all cellulite creams are not the same as some manufacturers don’t take the time to factor in safer forms of Retinol. It’s best to steer clear of these cellulite creams and opt for solutions that use Retinyl Palmitate instead. Read our reviews of top-rated cellulite creams.