A buildup of dead skin cells can leave your skin drier than you’d like. Removing those dead cells, with the help of retinol, can lead to more hydrated skin. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Retinol helps speed up this turnover process and promote brighter, smoother skin. It also goes deeper into the skin to encourage collagen production and further plump the skin. Sun damage Mukherjee S, et al. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: An overview of clinical efficacy and safety.

In a nutshell, that means retinol doesn’t only help reduce the number of breakouts you have. It can also minimize the redness and swelling that comes with them. Aging support Zasada M, et al. (2019). Retinoids: Active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments.Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Retinol can even strengthen the skin, helping protect it against further environmental damage. (Just keep in mind it can leave the top layer of skin thinner and more sensitive to sunlight, so you’ll want to apply sunscreen with extra vigilance.) The extras

But this happens less frequently as you age, which can lead to a duller complexion. You might also begin to notice fine lines and wrinkles — these can appear at any age.It can do, yes. As mentioned, when your skin isn’t used to retinol, you may find you suffer redness, flaking, dryness and/or irritation. As well as finding the right retinoid for your skin type, it’s also key to build up usage, which in turn improves the skin’s tolerance levels. What age should you start using retinol?

Zasada M, et al. (2020). A clinical anti-ageing comparative study of 0.3 and 0.5% retinol serums: A clinically controlled trial.

How to use retinol?