Hi Folks! Presenting you the quick cheat sheet of Retinoid Family.
? Retinoids have to be converted into Retinoic Acid by the enzymes in our skin before we can actually get their benefits. This can happen in one, two, or three steps.
?One step: Retinaldehyde is the direct precursor to retinoic acid.
?Two steps: Retinol first converts to retinaldehyde, and then from Retinaldehyde into Retinoic Acid.
?Three steps: Retinol Esters convert to retinol, then from retinol to retinaldehyde, and finally from retinaldehyde to retinoic acid.
? Retinoic Acid is already in its active form that's why its treatments are available by prescription only.
It is to be noted that the closer the compound to retinoic acid, the more readily it converts—and the more effective it becomes. And that there is no generalized statement as to which one is the BEST type of retinoid for you because every skin type is different. :)
