This Gene Decides If Your Veggies Help Your Skin?
Retinol, a highly effective Vitamin A derivative, is one of the most clinically proven ingredients for comprehensive skincare. It targets wrinkles, fine lines, uneven tone, and acne by driving rapid cell turnover and boosting collagen synthesis. This process reveals a smoother, firmer, and more vibrant complexion.
While the market is flooded with options, the most crucial part of your routine isn't the product you choose; it's sun protection. Given that approximately 90% of visible skin ageing is accelerated by the sun, and because retinol increases UV sensitivity while sunlight degrades its potency, dermatologists advise caution.
To ensure effectiveness and safety, apply retinol treatments exclusively at night, and rigorously use SPF 30+ sunscreen during the day. Sunscreen is the single best tool you have for preserving your skin.
Your Skin Health Will Be Affected by Your Genetics!
From our experience, there is still some confusion about what Vitamin A and retinol actually are.
Vitamin A is more than just a single nutrient, as most people think, but a broad group of related nutrients, each providing us with differing health benefits.
- Retinoids: Made up of retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, and retinyl esters, theses active forms can be found in animal sources such as meat, egg, and dairy.
- Carotenoids: This family is divided into two main subcategories: carotenes and xanthophylls. Carotenes, such as beta-carotene, are abundant in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and mangoes. Astaxanthin, a potent xanthophyll, is found primarily in marine organisms, including microalgae, shrimp, salmon, and lobster.
The two forms aren't just chemically different; they also provide us with different types of health benefits.
Now, depending on your DNA and specific genes, that might be one reason why your skin isn't currently looking at its best, or why you have a higher chance of developing wrinkles.
Why?
Well, genetic variations of a gene called BCO1 (Beta-Carotene Oxygenase 1) will affect your ability to convert beta-carotene from plants into retinol, which is fantastic for your eyes, brain, immune system, and skin, to name but a few benefits.
Retinoids and animal sources contain the active form of Vitamin A already, and thus conversion is not needed.
So, if you are following a plant-based diet whilst having a poor gene variant of BCO1, then you'll be more likely to develop eye, immune, and skin issues, as well as a whole host of other health concerns, if you aren't supplementing with an active form of Vitamin A.
