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Whether you have acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or another skin issue, your dermatologist may recommend retinol.

Retinol is a key ingredient in a variety of skin products, including:

• Retinol cream
• Retinol gel
• Retinol lotion
• Retinol serum

It can help with a wide range of skin conditions, making it a popular recommendation to improve skin health.

Learn more about retinol, its benefits for skin, and how to use it.

What Is Retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A. It’s part of a class of drugs known as retinoids, which all come from vitamin A.

You can find retinoids in many different skin care products. They first became available in the 1970s as an acne treatment, but they can also help treat many different skin issues.

“Vitamin A is vital for maintaining healthy skin and promoting cellular regeneration. Vitamin A helps improve skin clarity, texture, and signs of aging,” says Ashley Deglau, lead aesthetician, UPMC Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Health Center. “Other than sunblock, I always recommend a retinoid for every patient.”

Different types of retinoids include:

• Adapalene.
• Alitretinoin.
• Bexarotene.
• Retinaldehyde (retinal).
• Retinol.
• Retinyl esters.
• Tazarotene.
• Tretinoin (retinoic acid).
• Trifarotene.

Different forms of retinoids have different potencies. For example, tretinoin is a more potent form and is available only by prescription. Retinol, on the other hand, is gentler on skin and available over the counter.

“I customize my recommendation of tretinoin, retinaldehyde, or retinol according to the patient’s skin concerns, skin type, and condition to ensure optimal results,” Ashley says.

What Does Retinol Do?

Retinol penetrates the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin, and partially into the second layer, the dermis. The body converts it first into retinaldehyde, then into retinoic acid.

What Are the Benefits of Retinol?

Retinol has many different benefits for your skin, including:

It slows signs of aging

Retinol promotes collagen production and boosts cell turnover, helping to battle signs of aging, like sagging skin, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. Among its many roles, it helps keep the skin elastic, firm, and healthy.

Starting in early adulthood, our body’s collagen production begins to decrease. Over time, this leads to more aged-looking skin. Retinol can help stimulate collagen production to slow or stop these signs of aging.

Retinol also promotes cell turnover, the exfoliation process by which newer, fresher skin cells replace old, dead ones.

“It is one of the few topical products known to penetrate beyond the epidermis,” Ashley says. “Many people aspire to age gracefully these days. I always tell my patients that, besides sunblock, of course, retinoids will be their best friend for healthy skin.”

Ashley says that beginning retinol at age 18 is ideal because that’s when the body starts producing less collagen. But people can begin at any age.

“I see patients of all ages, including mature patients that have never used a retinoid in their life. They always ask, ‘Is it too late?'” she says. It is never too late. However, starting earlier rather than later is ideal as retinoids help to improve skin health over time.”

It can help with acne

Retinol can help treat acne and other inflammatory skin conditions. The process of cell turnover can help remove blocked pores and bacteria that lead to acne breakouts. It can also reduce the signs of acne scars.

Prescription-level retinoids may work best for acne. In fact, tretinoin was first introduced as an acne treatment in the 1970s. Talk to a dermatologist about which is best for you.

It reduces hyperpigmentation

Retinol and other retinoids help reduce hyperpigmentation — the appearance of dark spots on the skin. Hyperpigmentation occurs when the body produces too much melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color. Sun exposure and other factors can also lead to hyperpigmentation.

Retinol and other retinoids can regulate melanin production to reduce hyperpigmentation. They are also anti-inflammatory, so they can help reduce existing signs of hyperpigmentation.

How Should You Use Retinol?

You should apply retinol at night after cleansing your skin. Ashley recommends starting off slowly, using it a few times a week for the first few weeks. Eventually, the goal is to use it nightly.

“It is recommended to use a retinoid every night,” she says. “Oftentimes, I recommend that patients ease into use of retinoid as most patients experience irritation, which unfortunately is normal.”

What Are the Side Effects of Retinol?

Side effects of retinol include:

• Burning feeling on the skin.
• Dry skin.
• Peeling or flaking skin.
• Red or pink skin.
• Skin breakouts (such as acne or eczema).
• Skin irritation.
• Sun sensitivity.

Many of these symptoms are a result of the cell turnover process.

“That can last anywhere from one to two skin cycles, and one skin cycle’s about six to eight weeks,” Ashley says. “So, the irritation, such as redness, flaking, or peeling, could last longer than desired but will resolve.”

Ashley says using moisturizer can help with skin irritation due to retinoids but recommends only on an as-needed basis.

“After you apply your retinoid, wait about five minutes, then apply moisturizer over the retinoid to help with irritation or dryness,” she says.

Retinoids can make your skin sensitive to the sun, especially when you first start using them.

“Even if you’re not prone to burning, you must wear sunblock whether you’re inside or outside,” Ashley says. “When you’re outside for long periods of time, it is important to reapply sunblock every hour and a half to two hours to protect skin and prevent burning.”

Can Pregnant Women Use Retinol?

Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid using retinoids. Retinoids can cause a higher risk of miscarriage, birth defects, and other adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Oral retinoids are particularly dangerous, but topical retinoids also may carry a risk. Prescription-level retinoids are typically riskier than retinol due to their higher potency.

Talk to your doctor about your retinoid use if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

People with hypersensitive skin or certain skin conditions also may want to avoid taking retinoids. Talk to your doctor before taking a retinoid.

Is Retinol Right for Me?

Retinol offers numerous benefits for the skin. A retinol cream, serum, or other product is a good option for many people.

If you’re unsure about which type of product to use, consult a dermatologist or aesthetician for recommendations.