Skin Pigmentation
Brand Focus, Pigmentation, Skin Concern

How Neoretin Can Solve Pigmentation Issues

Why We Use Neoretin In Our Practice

Both of these products are ideal for tackling your pigmentation or discolouration issues. Neoretin Gelcream SPF and Booster Serum contain kojic acid, Salicylic acid, vitamin A or retinol, and hydroxypinacolone retinoate. Let’s take a closer look at some of these ingredients:

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Retinol

Retinol is simply another name for vitamin A. It’s a type of retinoid, the family of chemical compounds related to vitamin A. Other retinoids include: retinoic acid (also known as tretinoin), retinal palmitate, and retinaldehyde, all of which can be found in skincare products. In addition to being a trusted treatment for acne, retinol is famous for its anti-ageing properties and skin-brightening or pigmentation removal ability.

What does retinol do?

When retinol and other retinoids come into contact with skin, enzymes in the body convert the retinol into retinoic acid, the active form of the vitamin. Retinoic acid increases cell turnover, stimulates collagen and elastin production, fades hyperpigmentation, and helps the skin stay hydrated and glowing without irritation. Thanks to this healthy skin cell turnover, retinol can treat and prevent everything from stubborn cystic acne and eczema to sun-induced wrinkles and dark spots.

What skin types is retinol suitable for?

Some retinoids are harsher than others. Pure retinoic acid applied directly to the skin, for example, can cause irritation. If you’ve got sensitive skin, retinol is a milder, yet equally effective alternative.

Are there any side effects?

Retinoids have come a long, long way and there are plenty of options out there that won’t upset your skin. However, any retinol product will make skin more sensitive to UV exposure. When you’re treating skin with retinol, always follow with a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Most importantly, ensure that any retinol products you apply during the day are suitable for daytime use, like the Neoretin Gelcream SPF 50 (day application).

Kojic Acid

When kojic acid is applied to the skin in concentrated amounts, the chemicals it contains work on the melanocytes, interfering with the production of melanin. The exact way in which kojic acid lessens melanin production is not known, but many experts believe that the ingredient prevents an enzyme known as tyrosinase from beginning the reactions in the cells that are necessary for manufacturing the pigment.

Why is kojic acid preferred?

Prior to the discovery of kojic acid, the ingredient hydroquinone was largely the only ingredient used for skin whitening. Hydroquinone is known to cause skin irritation in many individuals, and for these people, dermatologists often recommend kojic acid as an alternative method for treating skin discoloration. Those with very sensitive skin may still develop redness or itching from the use of kojic acid, but overall, the ingredient is better tolerated than hydroquinone. The effects of kojic acid have been reported as being identical to those of hydroquinone or slightly less noticeable.

What does kojic acid do?

In addition to its skin-lightening abilities, kojic acid is classified as an antioxidant. This class of nutrients has the ability to counteract the effects of particles in the air called free radicals, which have the potential to cause oxidative damage to the skin cells. By limiting the effects of free radicals, kojic acid helps to prevent the formation of signs of aging that occur when the cells that produce the skin’s vital structural proteins become damaged. Some dermatologists recommend the use of mild concentrations of kojic acid for addressing acne blemishes.

Kojic acid is also an antibacterial agent, meaning that it interferes with the processes that bacteria cells must perform to thrive and reproduce. By disrupting these processes, kojic acid causes the death of bacteria. Some dermatologists recommend the use of mild concentrations of kojic acid for addressing acne blemishes, which are often caused by bacterial infections in the pores.

Salicylic Acid

The main effect of salicylic acid is to increase cell turnover to further enhance the benefits and penetration of the kojic acid and the retinol.

Neoretin Ingredients:

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  • Aqua
  • Butylene glycol
  • Glycerin
  • Niacinamide
  • PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate
  • Portulaca oleracea
  • Acetyl glucosamine
  • Kojic acid
  • Hydroxypinacolone retinoate
  • Retinol
  • Phenoxyethanol
  • Caprylyl glycol
  • Propylene glycol
  • Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate

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  • Hexylene glycol
  • Decarboxy carnosine HCL
  • Aminoethylphosphinic acid
  • Pentylene glycol
  • Fructose
  • Lactitol
  • Glycosaminoglycans
  • Salicylic acid
  • Tocopheryl acetate
  • Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
  • Ethylhexylglycerin
  • Trehalose
  • Hydrolyzed caesalpinia spinosa gum
  • Caesalpinia spinosa gum

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  • Sorbitol
  • Sodium metabisulfite
  • Lecithin
  • Sodium carbomer
  • Polysorbate 20
  • Hydrogenated lecithin
  • Parfum
  • CI 17200
  • Domethyl isosorbride
  • Acetyl hexapeptide-37
  • Dehydroxypoline aspartate
  • Acrylates
  • Vinyl isodecanoate crosspolymer
  • Glycerin crosspolimer

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About Dr Alek Nikolic

Dr Alek Nikolic was born in South Africa and received his MBBCh (Wits) in 1992 and in 2000 he received his MBA (UCT). He has been in private practice for 24 years and is the owner of Aesthetic Facial Enhancement, which has offices in Cape Town. Dr Nikolic specialises in aesthetic medicine and is at the forefront of the latest developments in his field. He is very driven and has lectured extensively and has performed live demonstrations throughout South Africa and Internationally including Bangkok, Rome, Paris, Monte Carlo, Prague, and Warsaw. Dr Nikolic’s focus is on skin care, skin ingredients and cosmetic dermatology treatments such as lasers, chemical peels, Botox, and Dermal Fillers. He has performed over 20 000 procedures to date and as such is responsible for training numerous medical practitioners both in South Africa and internationally. Dr Nikolic is one of the founding members of the South African Allergan Medical Aesthetic Academy and chaired its inaugural launch in 2012. The Allergan Academy provides essential training to keep up with the latest technology in aesthetics. Dr Nikolic holds the advisory position of Allergan Local Country Mentor in Facial Aesthetics and is the Allergan Advanced Botox and Dermal Filler Trainer. He is Vice President of the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine Society of South Africa (AAMSSA) and is an Associate Member of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).

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3 thoughts on “How Neoretin Can Solve Pigmentation Issues

  1. Sandra says:

    thank you for the great advice

  2. nadia says:

    i have used the neoretin creams and found them to be very effective for my skin blemishes

    1. Shan says:

      Hi Nadia
      Are there any side effects as I am considering using both for my pigmentation

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