It comes in three strengths — 0.25 percent, 0.5 percent, and 1 percent — so you can gradually move up if needed. This fragrance-free cream feels soft and goes on smoothly, absorbed easily into skin. The Rapid Wrinkle Repair range also includes a serum, facial oil, eye cream, post-treatment moisturiser, and a retinol cleanser. For best results, Neutrogena recommends building up use of the cream over time until you’re using it twice per day, following up your morning use with a good sunscreen. As well as its original purpose of clearing acne, retinol boosts the skin’s own healing processes and is great for repairing scars that may have been caused by previous acne breakouts, as well as other kinds of skin damage such as dark spots from sun exposure. The benefits of retinol are well documented, which is the reason you will find the ingredient featuring prominently in so many creams and serums. Retinol can also treat mild scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” Kobets adds. “Another great benefit is collagen production from topical retinoid use over time.” Talk with your dermatologist about ingredients to look for or avoid. How different additives affect skin will vary from person to person.

Retinol comes in strengths ranging from 0.0015% to 1% or higher. Many creams fall in the middle of this range, at around 0.1% to 0.3%. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety suggests that 0.3% is the maximum safe concentration for face or hand creams.

Zasada M, et al. (2019). Retinoids: Active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. 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.

In your twenties, starting a healthy skincare regimen when you're young will help you to age gracefully and keep your skin in the best shape possible," says Dr. Farber. "Women should start off using retinol creams during their twenties, as this is the time when sun damage starts to become apparent." How to Incorporate Retinol Crystal Retinal 1 is a vitamin A derivative similar to retinol, formulated to be gentle yet effective on mature skins. The overnight treatment is excellent for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, firming and plumping the skin, and erasing dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation for a fresher, younger look without any irritation. Retinal also has antibacterial properties, making this a good option for blemish-prone skin. Retinol remains very effective for its original purpose of acne treatment and, since it boosts skin renewal, it’s also good for healing acne-related scars. The Mayo Clinic also notes that retinol can be effective for the treatment of other kinds of skin damage, including sun damage. In what forms is retinol available?

Then apply a small, pea-sized amount of retinol to dry skin. Spread it over your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth. Retinol is also a type of retinoid that is commonly available in various strengths in the form of gels, creams, and serums. Retinol works by penetrating the deep layers of the skin, promoting cell turnover and elasticity. Additionally, it’s often not recommended to use retinol with certain other skin care products, such as acne treatments that contain prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin. Adding retinol to this regimen will lead to excessive and unnecessary irritation. The product comes in a handy pump dispenser, with one or two pumps enough for most faces. While we found the serum non-irritating, CeraVe recommends building up usage over time, starting once a week and working up to every second night. Simple and effective, CeraVe’s serum is a good alternative to pricier formulations.

According to Rajani Katta, MD, a board certified dermatologist who serves as voluntary clinical faculty at the Baylor College of Medicine and the McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Houston, retinol is a skin care ingredient that’s derived from vitamin A.Because of its exfoliating properties, it's best to use Retinol as a treatment on its own - we also recommend not to combine Retinol with another exfoliation product at the same time. Always be sure to apply SPF of at least factor 30 on your face the next day as Retinol can make the new skin surface more sensitive to the sun damage. As with other strong retinol products, use a small amount of this serum every other night to begin, building up usage over time. Once your skin has built up a tolerance, you can consider adding the Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum from the same range to your daytime regime for added retinol benefits. Retinol has multiple benefits, including improvement in the visible signs of skin aging,” Katta says. “ Research studies have shown that it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin roughness and dark spots.” If you’re new to retinol, it’s best to start with a low-concentration product to allow your skin to build up tolerance to the exfoliating effects of the vitamin. This luxury product from skincare specialists Skinceuticals is an excellent introduction to retinol. The retinol is suspended in a moisturising formula, with soothing frankincense to counteract dryness and irritation, and is clinically proven to improve rough skin, fine lines, and dark spots in eight weeks of regular use. Apply a pea-sized amount to clean skin at night, starting twice per week and building up over time to nightly use. Because retinol can be irritating for certain skin types, it’s best to consult a dermatologist about whether it’s the right treatment for you. You can also speak with them about what strength to start with and how often you should apply it prior to purchasing any retinol products.