Retinol Creams
(over-the-counter) VS. Retin-A Creams (needs a
physician’s prescription)
What’s the difference?
First, let’s
establish what these creams are used for: Basically, they contain
the only ingredients (retinoids) that have decades of research
proving they can turn around the aging of skin! Only retinoids have
been proven in studies to do everything from smoothing fine lines
and fading dark spots to making pores appear smaller.
Dermatologists even agree: Retinoids are the best age erasers.
Retinoids are vitamin A
derivatives. They are found in prescription, Retin-A creams (Renova,
Avage, or Differin), as well as over-the-counter creams, which
are commonly referred to as retinol creams. Besides their method of
procurement there is one basic difference between the two – retinol
creams are less irritating to the skin than their prescription
cousins.
With over-the-counter retinol creams, the retinol is slowly
converted to retinoic acid, which is the active ingredient in
prescription creams. It may simply take more time (up to 12 weeks)
to notice a difference in your skin than if you’d been using the
prescription variety (4-8 weeks). You will also notice a difference
in your pocket book! Retinol creams are quite a bit less expensive
than the prescription creams.
If after 3 months
you do not see a difference from using an over-the-counter product,
you may want to consider a stronger prescription brand. One
advantage to using a retinol cream before using a prescription
strength cream is that it will help your skin acclimate to retinoids.
Therefore, you’ll be less likely to suffer the side effects of the
more powerful prescription version. Many women who start off with
the prescription creams, give up before they have a chance to get
results, because they cause too much skin irritation. It’s often
beneficial for many to alternate using the over-the-counter and
prescription creams on an every other month rotation.
With Brabec Basics
retinol cream you can have the best of both worlds – a superbly
moisturizing cream that absorbs in the skin quickly and with our
special Founder’s Grant – a price that cannot be beaten. A
two-ounce jar contains 200,000 IU of retinol and cost from $3.99 per
jar. It’s perfect for the retinoid rookie or the seasoned
professional – to insure the only side effects you see are younger,
healthier, more sensational looking skin!
|