Retinol for Skin: Benefits, Side Effects & Best Practices

Posted by Invity team on 8th May 2025

All About Retinol: What You Need to Know

Retinol is one of the most talked-about ingredients in skincare, praised for its ability to fight acne, reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture.

But what exactly is retinol and how does it work?

We’ll break down everything you need to know about retinol, from its benefits to its potential downsides and how to use it in your skincare routine.

What Is Retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A commonly used in skincare products like creams, serums and lotions. It’s a topical treatment, meaning you apply it directly to your skin. Retinol is available over the counter, but stronger forms, called retinoids, require a prescription.

Retinol vs. Retinoid: What’s the Difference?

What is Retinol? Available over the counter, gentler, and slower to show results.
What is Retinoid? Prescription-strength, stronger and works faster.

Both are derived from vitamin A, but retinoids are more potent and may cause more irritation.

What Does Retinol Do for Your Skin?

When learning about ‘what to know about retinol,’ you might be interested in learning how it works. Essentially, retinol works at a cellular level to rejuvenate your skin.

Increasing skin cell turnover: Retinol speeds up the process of shedding dead skin cells and generating new ones. This helps unclog pores, reduce acne and improve skin texture.
Boosting collagen production: Collagen is the protein that keeps your skin firm and elastic. Retinol helps with the production of collagen, which helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Neutralises Free Radicals: Retinol is an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect your skin from environmental damage like pollution and UV rays as well as reduces inflammation, helping with acne and other skin conditions.
Reduces melanin production: By slowing down melanin production, retinol can help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Basically, retinol can make your skin look fresher, smoother and more youthful looking.

Retinol Benefits: What Can It Treat?

Retinol is a multitasker when it comes to skincare. Here’s what it can help with:

Skin Concern	How Retinol Helps
Acne	Prevents clogged pores and reduces breakouts.
Acne Scars	Fades dark spots and reduces inflammation.
Dark Spots	Lightens hyperpigmentation caused by sun damage or ageing.
Large Pores	Thickens skin, making pores less noticeable.
Wrinkles	Boosts collagen, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Stretch Marks	Helps fade the appearance of stretch marks over time.

How to Use Retinol

Using retinol can be a game-changer for your skin, but it’s important to use it correctly to avoid irritation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using retinol at night:

Start Slow: Use retinol 1–2 times a week and gradually increase frequency as your skin adjusts.
Start with a Patch Test: Apply a small amount of retinol to your inner arm or neck to check for sensitivity.
Clean Your Face: Use a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry.
Apply Retinol: Use a pea-sized amount and spread it evenly over your face, avoiding the eyes, nose and mouth.
Moisturise: Wait a few minutes, then apply a non-comedogenic moisturiser to lock in hydration, such as the Youth Activating Cream Concentrate.
Use Sunscreen: Always wear at least SPF 30+ during the day, as retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. The Youth Activating Invisible Mineral Sunscreen is SPF50, while also containing skin-soothing ingredients.

How to Layer Retinol with Other Skincare Ingredients

Retinol can be combined with other active skincare ingredients, but it’s important to do so carefully to avoid irritation. You can use the guide below to help you figure out how to layer them.

Ingredient	Can You Use It with Retinol?	Tips
Hyaluronic Acid	Yes	Use hyaluronic acid after retinol to hydrate and soothe the skin.
Vitamin C	Yes, but not at the same time	Use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night for brightening effects.
Niacinamide	Yes	Niacinamide helps reduce redness and irritation caused by retinol.
Glycolic Acid	Use with caution	Alternate nights or use glycolic acid in the morning and retinol at night.
Salicylic Acid	Use with caution	Avoid using them together; alternate days to prevent over-drying.

What Is the Rule of 3 for Retinol

When starting retinol, while we would first recommend using it once per week then slowly changing this to twice a week (or even every four days if you do skin cycling), you can also follow the Rule of 3.

Many people apply retinol once a week for the first week, twice for the second week and then three times in the third week, but this may be too harsh on your skin if you’re a beginner. You can also try:

3 Days a Week: Apply retinol every third night for the first few weeks.
3 Weeks: Gradually increase to every other night.
3 Months: By this time, your skin should be acclimated and you can use it nightly if needed.

Retinol Side Effects: What Are the Disadvantages of Retinol?

While retinol has many benefits, it’s not without its downsides. Common side effects and the dangers of retinol cream include:

Dryness and severe irritation
Redness, burning and peeling if overused
Increased sun sensitivity, which can lead to hyperpigmentation (LINK to https://www.myinvity.com/blog/hyperpigmentation-cream/

To reduce the likelihood of these effects, here are some tips for using retinol:

Start slowly and build up usage.
Always use sunscreen.
Avoid combining retinol with other harsh ingredients like glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid retinol, as it can harm the baby.

Learn the difference between skin dryness and dehydrated skin!

Retinol Before and After: What to Expect

Retinol is versatile and can address a variety of skin concerns, such as acne, wrinkles, dark spots and large pores. So, what does retinol do to my face? Let’s break it down:

Retinol for Acne

How It Works: Retinol prevents clogged pores by increasing cell turnover and reducing oil buildup.
What to Expect: You may experience a ‘purge’ phase where acne worsens before improving. This is normal and usually goes away within a few weeks.

It’s also important to understand the causes of adult acne and blemishes before adding any new skincare product to your routine.

Retinol for Wrinkles

How It Works: By boosting collagen and elastin production, retinol plumps the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What to Expect: Results take time, typically after 3–6 months of consistent use.

Retinol for Dark Spots

How It Works: Retinol hinders melanin production, helping to fade sun spots, age spots and post-acne marks.
What to Expect: It can take several months to see noticeable lightening of dark spots.

Retinol for Large Pores

How It Works: Retinol thickens the skin, making pores appear smaller and less noticeable.
What to Expect: Pores won’t shrink permanently, but they’ll look less prominent over time.

Best Retinol Serum: How to Choose

When shopping for retinol, here’s what you should look for:

Low concentration: Start with 0.25% or 0.5% if you’re a beginner.
Encapsulated retinol: This releases slowly, reducing irritation.
Hydrating ingredients: Look for serums with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to counteract dryness.

Invity’s Youth Activating Retinoidl Serum is a lightweight serum that helps reduce fine lines, minimise pores and hydrates your skin. It contains hydroxypinacolone retinoate, which is gentle on the skin, allowing you to get the anti-ageing benefits without the skin irritation.

FAQs About Retinol

Retinol Peeling: How Long Does It Last?

When you first start using retinol, you may experience peeling, redness or dryness. This is known as retinol irritation or the retinol uglies. Peeling and irritation typically last 2-4 weeks as your skin adjusts. To help manage it, use a gentle cleanser, such as the Youth Activating Cream Cleanser, use a hydrating serum or moisturiser after retinol and avoid harsh exfoliants or scrubs that night. If irritation continues, reduce the frequency of use or switch to a lower concentration.

Can Retinol Damage Your Skin?

If used incorrectly, retinol can cause irritation and sun sensitivity. Always follow instructions and speak to a dermatologist if you’re unsure.

What Does Retinol Do for Acne?

Retinol unclogs pores, reduces inflammation and prevents future breakouts. Learn more about acne as well as dos and don’ts for acne-free skin.

Is It Good to Use Retinol Every Day?

While retinol is effective, it can be harsh on your skin, especially if you’re new to it. Start by using it 1–2 times a week and gradually work up to daily use if your skin tolerates it. Overuse can lead to dryness, redness and peeling.

When to Start Using Retinol

It’s never too early or too late to start using retinol. You can use it in your 20s as a preventative measure to delay signs of ageing, in your 30s to target early fine lines and uneven skin tone or in your 40s and beyond to focus on reducing wrinkles, dark spots and loss of elasticity.

When to Use Retinol in Your Skincare Routine

Retinol should be applied at night because it breaks down in sunlight. A simple nighttime routine could look like:

Cleanse
Apply retinol
Moisturise

Slow and Steady with Retinol for Smoother Skin

Retinol is a powerful skincare ingredient with proven benefits for acne, ageing and skin texture. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, though, but if you’re looking at incorporating this active ingredient into your routine, start slow, be patient and always protect your skin from the sun.

If you’re unsure about using retinol, speak with a dermatologist to find the best option for your skin type and don’t use if pregnant.