Can retinol, vitamin A or other compounds really keep your skin healthy and ‘youthful’? | Antiviral

Antiviral reader Patrick wrote in to us because of the “constant claims” he sees on social media “that retinol (vitamin A) and related compounds help to keep skin youthful” Dr Natalia Spierings , a consultant dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon in London , conducted a systematic review of the evidence into the efficacy of over-the-counter vitamin A products.

The term “retinoid” is the umbrella term used for all of the chemical compounds that are natural or synthetic derivatives of vitamin A.

There is very little you actually need to purchase from Big Skincare or Big Aesthetics to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful as you age.

Instead, staying out of the sun and using an SPF 50 sunscreen, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, maintaining wellbeing and not smoking all go a long way towards maintaining healthy skin.