Retinol

Retinol is an ingredient often added to serums or moisturizers. It’s a form of vitamin A and works as an antioxidant on the skin.

Retinol can help with firming the skin and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and pores, making the skin feel and look smoother and tighter. It also can prevent breakouts and blemishes, promote elasticity, and reduce the appearance of dark spots and dark circles.

Since retinol has a peeling effect, you might experience that your skin can become red, dry, or flaky when you start using it. Be cautious and start off slowly by using a little every other day or blend a little bit into your night cream so the skin slowly gets used to it. As retinol makes skin sensitive to sunlight, it is best to use it in the evening — avoid retinol products if you have sunburn, broken skin, or other skin irritations.  Remember to always use an SPF during the daytime.

Retinol should not be used while pregnant. If you find that your skin is sensitive to retinol, you can try using bakuchiol instead. This ingredient tends to be gentler on the skin while providing the same smoothing effect.