HealthSeptember 1, 2026

retinoids

RET-ih-noydz

Definition

A class of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A that are commonly used in skincare to promote cell turnover and improve skin texture.

Etymology

Derived from 'retina' and the suffix '-oid' (meaning 'resembling'), the term was coined because these compounds were originally linked to studies of the retina and vitamin A, which is essential for vision.

In the news

The article mentions retinoids as a common skincare investment that is undermined if you continue to tan without protection, as UV exposure causes the very damage these treatments aim to reverse.

Nearly Half Of Young Women Still Do This — And It’s Accelerating Skin Aging

Read the full article ↗

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