{image source}Retinol has long been used as an anti-aging and acne treatment.  It's one of the few time-tested and clinically proven ingredients that actually does what it says and more.  Curious about what exactly it is and how you can incorporate it into your skincare routine?  Read on...Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and when applied topically to the skin it helps to increase cell production and increase collagen.  This is the chief anti-aging benefit because it results in skin being both repaired and plumped.  We've all seen how as skin ages it can loose some of its bounce, so retinol is great for adding back some of the lost volume that occurs before we start to see fine lines and wrinkles.The fact that retinol works on wrinkles as well means retinol is a great ingredient no matter where along the aging spectrum you may lie.  It's a great preventative product for people in their twenties who may not be seeing much skin aging, and it also treats skin once signs of aging have began to show.Another great use for retinol is for addressing acne.  It works to help with acne because it helps unclog pores, which can trap bacteria and dirt leading to acne.  Because retinol almost works as a chemical exfoliant, you may notice some peeling and/or redness when using it (I notice some mild peeling when I first started using it), but the reaction usually lessens as time goes on.  For this reason, it's recommended that you use retinol only at night so that your skin can heal while you sleep and you don't have to worry about the peeling during the day.In the past, I've used a prescription retinol cream that I was happy with, but I honestly didn't notice much of a difference because my skin is pretty good already.  I noticed less hormonal breakouts and the pores on my nose appeared somewhat smaller.Some people with sensitive skin (like my mom) may find prescription retinol cream too strong.  Sometimes over the counter products are a great alternative because they usually contain less of the active ingredient, making them more suitable for sensitive skin.  I'm by no means an expert, and of course if you have questions or concerns, you should speak to a dermatologist.  I'm just sharing what I've tried and what's worked for me.Looking for more info on skincare ingredients? Check out a post on the benefits of Glycolic Acid here.Now that I've touted all the benefits of retinol, check out the widget below for some great products that feature the ingredient.[xyz-ihs snippet="retinol"]Like what you see?Like beautyluxelife on Facebook here.Follow along on Bloglovin' here.