Is vitamin A the new anti-ageing hero?

We take a look at the new wonder ingredient said to fight fine lines and wrinkles

Every year, there’s a new E miracle anti-ageing cream that promises to give us a flawless complexion. But recent BBC documentary The Truth About Looking Good claimed that a daily dose of vitamin A and a decent SPF are the secrets to firmer, smoother skin. We put that theory to the test… THE SCIENCE Celebrity facialist and skincare expert Abigail James explains, “Retinol is vitamin A in its whole form and is one of the best ingredients for promoting skin regeneration. It’s a great cell-communicating ingredient, which means it can send a message to almost any skin cell to tell it to behave like its younger, healthier self.” Sound too good to be true? Abigail adds, “It works by increasing both collagen production and cell turnover, helping your complexion look younger for longer.” HOW TO APPLY It’s an essential ingredient to fight signs of ageing. And as well as helping to shrink the appearance of pores, it also reduces oil buildup to keep skin clear – making it a fantastic skincare all-rounder. Abigail explains that the best way to use retinol is in the evenings, and says, “It takes a number of hours to absorb fully, so it’s best to allow it to do so when the skin is free from make-up or sunscreen.”

It’s also important to apply in the night rather than the day because most retinoids are not sunlight stable, meaning it’ll make your skin more prone to sun damage when it’s been recently applied. If you do use it in the daytime, make sure to use a minimum of SPF30 after application.

The general consensus is that you only need 0.1 per cent potency to see a difference, with many trials backing this up – but once you’ve built up the usage, you can up your dose to see a bigger difference. SO WHAT’S THE VERDICT? From speaking to a handful of dermatologists and skincare experts, we say it’s definitely worth incorporating into your beauty routine. Whether you’re spotting the first signs of ageing or want to improve long-established wrinkles, even the smallest inclusion of retinol could totally transform your skin. Start small with a gentle application, and soon you’ll be swearing by it.