The main difference between retinol and hyaluronic acid is that retinol refreshes the skin, combating wrinkles and aging, whereas hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin, boosting anti-inflammatory effects.
Retinol and hyaluronic acid are two types of compounds that are good for the skin. They are also important for youth-boosting skincare.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Retinol
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What is Hyaluronic Acid
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronan, Hyaluronate, Hyaluronate, Retinol
What is Retinol
Retinol is a diterpenoid and alcohol, and it is known as an animal form of vitamin A. It is convertible to other forms of vitamin A, such as the retinal (retinaldehyde) form. Vitamin A is essential for vision, and retinoic acid is essential for skin health, teeth remineralization, and bone growth. It is biosynthesized from the breakdown of β-carotene. Fish, dairy products, and meat are the dietary sources of retinol. Moreover, retinol is important for treating and preventing vitamin A deficiency. Generally, vitamin A deficiency causes xerophthalmia. Vitamin A is taken by mouth or as an injection into muscles.
Figure 1: Retinol
Furthermore, retinol is an ingredient in skincare products. Generally, it is important to reduce wrinkles as well as other effects on skin aging. Retinol reacts with receptors in the skin cell nucleus, leading to several effects. These include improved skin cell turnover, reduced collagen degradation, and increased production of collagen. However, a high dose of retinol can cause enlargement of the liver, hypervitaminosis A, and dry skin. Inside the body, retinol is converted into retinal and retinoic acid.
What is Hyaluronic Acid
Generally, hyaluronic acid is an anionic non-sulphate glucosaminoglycan. The molecular formula of hyaluronic acid is (C14H21NO11)n. In addition, hyaluronan, hyaluronate, and hyaluronate are the other names for hyaluronic acid. It naturally occurs within the body of humans. Hyaluronic acid is present, especially within the eyes, joints, skin, and connective tissues. It generally occurs even within the human embryo. Hyaluronic acid is a very slippery substance. It is a polymer, meaning that it contains large chains of monomer molecules combined together. This large chain has certain spots to which carbon molecules and other molecules attach. For example, one-quarter teaspoon of hyaluronic acid can absorb and holds about half a gallon of water. Therefore, we consider it one of the best polymers to absorb water.
Figure 2: Hyaluronic Acid
There are three types of hyaluronic acids of different natures: hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, and sodium acetylated hyaluronate. Since there are many spaces in the hyaluronic acid molecule for the other molecules to attach to, hyaluronic acid also acts as a good material for the transport of certain substances. Several molecules are transported throughout the body by hyaluronic acid. It also attaches itself to the cells; this feature in hyaluronic acid helps in the target delivery of medications. However, hyaluronic acid also acts as a scaffolding structure, which allows tissues to grow. This is how wounds heal in the body.
Similarities Between Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid
- Retinol and hyaluronic acid are two types of compounds that are better for the skin.
- Both these compounds are important for boosting the skincare of youth.
Difference Between Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid
Definition
Retinol refers to a yellow compound found in green and yellow vegetables, egg yolk, and fish liver oil and is essential for growth and vision in dim light while hyaluronic acid refers to a polysaccharide molecule that constitutes a significant component of connective tissue, forming a gelatinous matrix that surrounds cells.
Importance
Retinol is vitamin A1 while hyaluronic acid is an anionic, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan.
Occurrence
Retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin, while hyaluronic acid occurs in the connective, epithelial, and neural tissues.
Chemical Formula
While retinol is C20H30O, hyaluronic acid is (C14H21NO11)n.
Significance
Generally, retinol is not a polymer, while hyaluronic acid is a polymer.
Function
Retinol is important for vision, cellular development, maintenance of skin and mucous membranes, immune function, and reproductive development while hyaluronic acid serves as the chief component of the extracellular matrix, contributing to cell migration and proliferation.
Skincare
Retinol refreshes the skin, combating wrinkles and aging, while hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin, boosting anti-inflammatory effects.
Conclusion
In brief, retinol and hyaluronic acid are two types of compounds important in skincare. Retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin known as vitamin A1. It is also important for vision. In addition to that, retinol refreshes the skin combating wrinkles and aging. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid is an anionic, non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan occurring in connective, epithelial, and neural tissues. It is the chief component of the extracellular matrix, contributing to cell proliferation and migration. Generally, in skin care, it hydrates the skin, boosting the anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the main difference between retinol and hyaluronic acid is the effect on the skin.
References:
- Retinol: Cream, serum, what it is, benefits, how to use. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023
- Hyaluronic acid: What it is, benefits, how to use & side effects. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2023
Image Courtesy:
- “All-trans-Retinol2” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Hyaluronan” By Vaccinationist – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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