Retinol Issues Retinol wins for being potent and helping to slow down the march of time on skin, but it comes with side effects. Topical retinol can lead to redness, peeling, skin tenderness and sensitivity to the sun, according to Akridge. Glow Recipe co-founder and co-CEO Sarah Lee continues that in traditional formulas the potent ingredient is released all at once which can lead to irritation.
Another big issue is that like vitamin C retinol is light- and oxygen-sensitive, so it degrades readily, according to Prystowsky. If it's packaged in any old container that allows air and light to get in, the problem becomes worse... which is where encapsulation comes in.
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