Retinol Skin Care Benefits:
All You Need to Know
Retinol is synthetically made to work at the cellular level in order to improve your skin's health and appearance - it belongs to the retinoid family (a squad of strong ingredients derived from vitamin A) and is widely used for its powerful anti-aging benefits. Retinol is the most popular and commonly used retinoid because it packs a punch without the severe irritation caused by other retinoids.
Retinol
INGREDIENT CATEGORY: Retinoid
BEST FOR TREATING: Anti-Aging, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, Dark Circles
SKIN TYPES FOR USE: All (but use with caution on dry and sensitive skin)
SAFETY: Retinol is safe for topical use in concentrations of up to 1% in skin care products
GHS TIP: It will take up to 3-6 months of consistent topical use of retinol before you begin to see improvements
Top 5 Retinol Skin Care Benefits
✓ Most Gentle Retinoid
SPECIFIC TO RETINOL
Retinol cannot be directly absorbed by the skin--it first needs to convert into retinoic acid. For this reason, retinol is considered a gentle retinoid that can be purchased OTC (and when we say gentle, we mean less irritating than tretinoin/Retin-A...remember all retinoids are strong ingredients). When you apply retinol to your skin, enzymes first convert the retinol into retinaldehyde and then from retinaldehyde into retinoic acid. Only once retinol has transformed into retinoic acid, can it be absorbed by your skin to do it's thing. For this reason, retinol takes longer to show results for your skin.
The stronger retinoids--tretinoin/Retin-A -- directly come as a retinoic acid (meaning they can be immediately absorbed by your skin). Direct absorption of retinoids such as tretinoin/Retin-A is 100x stronger and will deliver greater results but at the risk of severe skin irritation. For this reason, retinoids like tretinoin/Retin-A are prescription only. Consult your dermatologist if interested. Overall, we recommend starting with an OTC retinol product at home.
✓ Brightens and Smooths Skin Tone
RETINOID BENEFIT
Retinol helps fade hyperpigmentation by making dead skin cells shed faster and encouraging new skin cell growth (a.k.a the darker stained skin cells of freckles, age spots, acne scars, etc. come off and reveal newer, brighter, more even skin cells underneath).
✓ Collagen and Elastin Booster
KEEP IT TIGHT
Retinol increases the production of collagen and elastin--the proteins that keep your skin fibers firm, tight, bouncy, full, supple, yummy, and delicious. As we age, our skin naturally produces less collagen and elastin which contributes to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol increases skin thickness and collagen levels by stimulating your skin cell genes to produce more incremental collagen than they would have produced otherwise. Basically, retinol is instructing your skin to make more collagen. According to a study of the effects of retinol on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin, participants showed increased skin thickness and higher collagen levels resulting in a significant reduction of fine lines and wrinkles after 12 weeks of retinol application. All in all, we’re all about keeping it tight, and retinol serves us just what we like.
✓ Fights Sun Damage
RETINOID BENEFIT
To really explain how retinol fights UV damage, we need to take a little trip down biology lane. Basically, our bodies have these enzymes called proteases whose job is to break down proteins into amino acids. Proteases help with many biological functions like digesting the proteins we eat and breaking down old proteins in the body (so the amino acids can be repurposed and recycled). In the skin, we have a type of protease called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and MMPs break down old skin proteins like old collagen and elastin. MMPs aren’t inherently harmful, but when the skin is exposed to UV rays, UV rays can trigger MMPs to go into overdrive where they start attacking and breaking down healthy collagen, elastin, and other skin proteins. Fine lines and wrinkles caused by UV damage are in large part caused by the MMPs breakdown of healthy skin proteins and degradation of different types of collagen.
Ok, so now let’s shift to why we love retinol. According to a study on retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety, retinol actually prevents MMPs from going into hyperactive collagen attack mode when the skin is exposed to UV rays. This prevention of your collagen getting destroyed directly results in the prevention of fine lines and wrinkles. Like a guardian angel, retinol prevents self-destructive enzymes from attacking your beautiful collagen, so it can continue to live, grow, and prosper in peace.
When to Use Retinol
SKIN CARE ROUTINE OPTION:
A serum or cream with retinol - use in evening only a few times a week
How to Apply Retinol
Work up to it
Always do a patch test before applying to your entire face! Start with applying a small amount of the retinol product in the evening to a small area on your forehead (where your facial skin is thickest). Wait 2-3 days. If there is no irritation, apply a thin layer of your retinol product to your entire face in the evening only every 3 days. If there is no irritation after 2 weeks, apply the retinol product in the evening every other night, and then eventually every night for maximum effects.
Apply to entire face
When using retinol creams (excluding eye creams), gels, or serums, apply them to your entire face in the evening. Only apply at night because retinol makes your skin very, VERY sensitive to UV rays.
Less is more
Only use a pea sized amount or less for your entire face. Over applying retinol will not make it work faster. Too much retinol will dry out your skin and cause irritation. This disruption to your skin’s protective barrier gives bacteria and other impurities the opportunity to get inside your skin and cause damage.
Let it absorb
After applying your retinol product, let it fully dry before you apply moisturizer. If you apply moisturizer too soon, the moisturizer can sabotage your skin's ability to absorb the retinol, and you want to soak up all the retinol benefits your product has to offer.
Follow Up With...
Use a moisturizer twice a day (morning and evening) to prevent retinol from drying out your skin and causing potential redness or irritation.
FDA recommends wearing sunscreen to prevent UV damage of retinol treated skin because retinol causes photosensitivity (fancy way of saying you're at high risk for a sunburn/sun damage even if you don’t normally burn). Apply sunscreen daily, and use SPF 30 or higher when using retinol.
Retinol in Products
Anti-Aging
Dark Circles
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Combo
Dry (with caution)
Normal
Oily
Sensitive (with caution)
Creams
Eye Creams
Moisturizers
Serums
Over the Counter
Prescribed Medication
Top 3 Retinol Skin Care Products
We’ve put together a GHS curated selection of our favorite skin care products that contain retinol for anti-aging and reducing fine lines and wrinkles as well as dark circles. We only link to products that we absolutely believe in. All the products we’ve chosen are paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free. Remember - results won’t happen overnight. It will take 3-6 months of consistent topical use before you begin to see improvements, so stay consistent with your product usage.
If you are new to using retinol, it is recommended to start with a lower- strenght retinol (0.1% to 0.3%) to establish skin tolerance, and then work your way up to a 0.5% retinol and eventually 1% retinol. We recommend starting out with the following:
Use 2-3x weekly in PM
Apply a pea-size amount of this cream to your face post cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and any other serums. Limit your initial use to once or twice a week, and then gradually increase frequency to every other night, and then every night as tolerated.
Price $$$
Certified: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, vegan, gluten-free
Use 2-3x weekly in PM
Apply a pea-size amount of this cream to your face post cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and any other serums. Limit your initial use to once or twice a week, and then gradually increase frequency to every other night, and then every night as tolerated.
Price $$$$
Certified: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free
Use 2-3x weekly in PM
Apply a pea-size amount of this cream to your face post cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and any other serums. Limit your initial use to once or twice a week, and then gradually increase frequency to every other night, and then every night as tolerated.
Price $$$$
Certified: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free
GHS Tips
Finding the right strength of retinol for you
- 0.01% to 0.03% retinol - use if you are new to using retinol, or if you have dry and/or sensitive skin
- 0.04% to 0.1% retinol - use if you are looking to treat uneven skin tone (i.e. hyperpigmentation), texture (dull/rough skin), or a visible loss of firmness
- 0.5% and 1% retinol - use if you are looking to treat deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone use a strong retinol
Consistency is key
Results won’t happen overnight. Consistency is key. It will take 3-6 months of consistent topical use before you begin to see significant improvements. Be patient - good things come to those who wait.
Close the cap with use
Retinol oxidizes on contact with oxygen and light, and when retinol oxidizes its skin care superpowers (oxi)die (ok, bad pun but really, retinol won't work if it oxidizes). Always remember to put the cap back after each use and store it in a cool, dark place. If you forget and your retinol product is exposed to air for an extended period of time, the anti-aging capabilities of retinol will be canceled out.
Safety Tips
Retinol is CIR Approved and it’s safe for topical use in concentrations of up to 1% in skin care products.
SIDE EFFECTS OF RETINOL SKIN CARE PRODUCTS:
- Redness or irritation
- Dryness, itching, or peeling
- Flaking/”frosting”
✓ Wear sunscreen!
✓ Close the cap with use
✓ Consider consulting a dermatologist - let them determine the right retinol concentration for you
X Don’t mix with AHAs (unless you've consulted your dermatologist)
X Don't use with harsh scrubs or physical exfoliants
X Don't go in extreme wind, cold, or dry heat when using retinol
FAQs about Retinol
Q. What is retinol?
Retinol, a retinoid derived from vitamin A, was synthetically made to work at the cellular level in order to improve your skin's health and appearance. As a result, it is widely used for its powerful anti-aging benefits.
Q. What is retinol used for in skin care?Retinol is used to treat the following skin concerns:
- Anti-Aging
- Dark Circles
- Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Q. How does retinol benefit my skin?The top 5 retinol skin benefits are:
- Boosts new skin cell growth
- Stimulates the production and protection of collagen and elastin
- Brightens and smooths your overall skin tone
- Fights sun damage
- It's the most gentle retinoid
Q. What skin types is retinol good for?Retinol is best for oily, combination, and normal skin types. If you have dry or sensitive skin, use retinol with caution and start out using a product with a lower concentration of retinol.
Q. Is retinol safe for my skin?Retinol is safe for topical use in concentrations of up to 1% in skin care products.
Q. Is retinol safe for dark skin?Retinol is safe for all skin colors (light to dark skin tones). If new to using retinol, it is important to start off with a lower dosage of retinol to allow your skin to become used to the faster cell turnover rate.
Q. What are common side effects from applying retinol topically?Redness or irritation, dryness, itching or peeling, and flaking/”frosting” can be common side effects from applying retinol topically. Always be sure to do a patch test on your skin before applying a new product to your entire face.
Q. How long does retinol take to work topically?It will take 3-6 months of consistent topical use of retinol before you begin to see improvements. Remember - consistency is key for optimal results. Results will not happen overnight.
Q. Is retinol safe to use everyday?No, it's not recommended to use retinol products every day - you should only use it 2x-3x a week. Every day will be too harsh on your skin and can do more harm than good.
Q. Are retinol and retinoids the same thing?No, retinol and retinoids are not the same thing (even though some use the terms interchangeably). Retinol is a type of retinoid. Retinoid is a generic term for all topical products containing derivatives of vitamin A.
Q. What strength of retinol should I use?- If you are new to using retinol, or if you have dry and/or sensitive skin use a lower-strength retinol - products with 0.01% to 0.03% retinol
- If you are looking to treat uneven skin tone (i.e. hyperpigmentation), texture (dull/rough skin), or a visible loss of firmness, use a moderate-strength retinol - products with 0.04% to 0.1% retinol
- If you are looking to treat deep wrinkles and pronounced uneven skin tone use a strong retinol - products with 0.5% and 1% retinol
Q. What is the difference between retin-A and retinol?Retinol and Retin-A are both derivatives of vitamin A that provide the same underlying anti-aging, acne, antioxidant, and hyperpigmentation benefits, but Retin-A is much stronger and prescription only (you should also know "Retin-A" is just a brand name for the prescription strength ingredient tretinoin). So why is retinol OTC while Retin-A/tretinoin is prescription only? The main difference is how they are absorbed by the skin.
Retinol cannot be directly absorbed by your skin--it first needs to convert into retinoic acid (for all the skin nerds out there, specific skin enzymes convert retinol into retinaldehyde and then into retinoic acid). Once retinol has transformed into retinoic acid, the skin absorbs the retinoic acid bringing on all the great skin care benefits of retinol. Retinol is commonly used for anti-aging.
In comparison, retin-A/tretinoin comes formulated as retinoic acid directly, which means upon application, the product immediately absorbs into your skin. Direct absorption of retinoic acid delivers stronger, more powerful effects (literally 100x stronger); however, it can also cause harmful, severe irritation (the main reason it's prescription only). Retin-A/tretinoin is commonly used to fight acne and anti-aging. If you're interested in trying Retin-A/tretinoin, consult your dermatologist.
Q. Can retinol be used in the morning?It is not recommended, but it can be used in the morning under two conditions:
-
1. If the retinol product is a newer formulation with a low concentration (0.05% or less)
2.If you apply sunscreen after (SPF 30+).
Q. Will retinol remove fine lines and wrinkles?Sadly, no. Retinol is more preventative than corrective for fine lines and wrinkles. But don't fear. While retinol won't zap your existing fine lines and wrinkles out of existence, retinol will minimize the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles and prevent future fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots from developing (and aren't we trying to freeze time anyways?). Just remember the magic of retinol only happens with consistent topical use and limited exposure to direct sunlight.
Q. Can retinol shrink pores?No. Pore size is genetic, and the size of pores cannot be changed. Retinol will not physically shrink pores, but retinol can make pores temporarily appear smaller. How? Retinol removes dead skin cells that clog pores so your pores aren't as enlarged.
Q. Can retinol lighten my skin?No, retinol is not a skin lightening agent and will not lighten your skin. However, retinol does remove dead skin cells revealing a more even complexion. So retinol won't lighten your skin, but retinol will help even/blend out any hyperpigmentation. If hyperpigmentation is a top concern for you, we recommend trying a product with arbutin, azelaic acid, AHAs (i.e. glycolic acid) or vitamin C.
Q. Is retinol safe to use for under eyes?It is a common misconception that retinol is not safe for around the eyes as the skin is thin. Since retinol has been shown to stimulate collagen production, using retinol around the eyes will help minimze fine lines and wrinkles, as well as firm and smooth the skin under and around your eye.
If you are looking for a good retinol eye cream, try the InKey List Retinol Eye Cream.
Q. Can I use retinol with vitamin C?Yes, absolutely! We recommend using a vitamin C product in the morning and a retinol product at night if you wish to incorporate both vitamin C and retinol in your skin care routine.
Q. Can I use AHAs with retinol?Yes, but use with caution. If you would like to use retinol in your skin routine with AHAs such as glycolic or lactic acid, then switch off days. Use your AHA products in the evening after cleansing and toning a few times a week, and use your retinol product in the evening after cleansing and toning on the other days - do not use AHAs and retinol on the same day because it could cause irritation.
Q. Can I use retinol with benzoyl peroxide?It depends...let's get more specific with the question:
- Can I use benzoyl peroxide and retinol in the same a.m./p.m. routine? NO. Using both benzoyl peroxide and retinol in the same a.m./p.m. routine can do more harm than good (both stimulate skin cell turnover). We're talking very irritated, peeling, dry, flaky, red skin, and ain't nobody got time for that.
- Can I use benzoyl peroxide and retinol at different times of day? Yes, but test the waters first. Some babes can handle a benzoyl peroxide cleanser in the morning and a low concentration retinol cream/gel at night consistently. Others will get irritated skin. Only try out this combo if you are trying to work on both acne and anti-aging goals.
Q. Do retinol skin care products expire?Yes. There may not be an exact date for when a retinol product will expire, but there are environmental factors — light and air — that affect the product's shelf life, causing it to oxidize at a quicker pace and become ineffective. If the product has changed color or texture, throw it away, it is no longer good.
Q. What are common names used to identify retinol on an ingredient list for skin care products?- Retinol
- Trans-Retinol Ester
Related Pages
How to Treat Fine Lines & Wrinkles - Causes, Treatments, & Top Ingredients
10 Best Products for Preventing Fine Lines & Wrinkles
10 Best Cruelty-Free Products for Preventing Fine Lines & Wrinkles
How to Reduce Dark Circles - Causes, Treatments, & Top Ingredients
10 Best Products for Reducing Dark Circles
10 Best Cruelty-Free Products for Reducing Dark Circles
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