What Does Retinol Do, and When Should You Start Using It?

Ask any dermatologist, “What does retinol do?,” and you’ll quickly learn that the answer is, well, a whole lot. This powerhouse ingredient is a favorite amongst skincare experts for its ability to help smooth the skin, diminish fine lines, and tackle the visible signs of aging. However, knowing how and when to use retinol is a must if you’re hoping to reap the benefits of this anti-aging staple. If you’re not quite clear on how to start using retinol, that’s okay—we’re explaining everything you need to know ahead. Keep reading to learn about the key benefits of retinol, its uses, and how to add it to your routine for fresh, healthy-looking skin.

Understanding Retinol and Its Benefits

Before we explain how to start using retinol, it’s important you understand what this popular ingredient does for the skin. Like all retinoids, retinol is a vitamin A derivative. It’s available over the counter and can be found in a wide range of skincare products, including facial serums, eye creams, and moisturizers. 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, using skincare products with retinol can help: 

• Minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles: Retinol and other retinoids are widely known for their ability to help target the visible signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. Using skincare products with retinol can help smooth and firm the skin, making wrinkles appear less noticeable over time. 
• Help support an even skin tone: Retinol encourages skin cell turnover, which can, in turn, help brighten the skin and fade the appearance of dark spots with continuous use. 
• Visibly improve skin texture: Products with retinol can be great for improving the appearance of an uneven skin texture caused by enlarged pores or the natural aging process.
• Help prevent clogged pores: By helping to promote skin cell turnover, products with retinol can help prevent clogged pores. As such, it’s sometimes recommended for those looking to manage blemish-prone skin. 

At What Age Should You Start Using Retinol? 

You don’t hit a certain age and automatically know that adding retinol to your routine is something you’re supposed to do. The truth is, a dermatologist may advise their patients to start using retinol at different ages depending on their skin concerns. 

For example, if your main goal is to slow the visible signs of aging, you may want to incorporate it into your routine starting in your late 20s or early 30s. But if you’re using retinol to target stubborn breakouts, it may be beneficial to start earlier. 

Ultimately, if you’re wondering, “Should I use retinol?” the best way to get a clear-cut answer is to consult your dermatologist. They’ll be well-versed in your skin concerns and goals and can help you build a regimen that serves your needs.

How To Add Retinol To Your Skincare Routine 

Once you determine when to start using retinol in your routine, you’ll want to make sure you’re using it properly to avoid irritating your skin. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when getting started with the powerful ingredient. 

Start low and slow

If you’re wondering how often to use retinol, keep in mind that less is more. Whether you’re using a retinol serum, moisturizer, or something else entirely, it’s a good idea to start with a lower concentration of the ingredient. While retinol is useful for targeting the visible signs of aging, it can leave the skin feeling dry and tight, particularly when you first start using it. To help keep your skin feeling comfortable, look for a product with a lower retinol concentration and begin using it once or twice per week, always at night. As your skin acclimates, you can gradually increase both the frequency of use and the strength of the products you’re using. 

Keep your skin hydrated

Moisturizing every day is a must, regardless of your skin type, but it’s especially important when using retinol, since it can be drying for some. Morning and night, nourish your skin with a gentle moisturizer designed for your skin type and concerns. If you need a recommendation, we love the L’Oréal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Facial Anti-Aging Moisturizer, which provides up to 48 hours of hydration without making the skin feel greasy or weighed down.

Always follow up with sunscreen

According to the Cleveland Clinic, retinol can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. To keep your skin protected from harmful UV rays, we strongly suggest wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day (yes, even if it’s raining). The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advises avoiding direct sunlight at midday, wearing protective clothing when possible, and reapplying your sunscreen at least every two hours to keep your skin well-protected from sun damage.

How To Use Retinol In Your 20s

When you’re new to retinol, you’ll want to take things slowly to ensure your skin doesn’t become dry or irritated. Using a retinol moisturizer (rather than a more potent serum) can be a great way to get your skin accustomed to the powerful anti-aging ingredient. We suggest getting started with the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Pressed Night Moisturizer with Retinol + Niacinamide. The gentle formula is suitable for all skin types and is formulated with a 12% complex of soothing ingredients to help offset the potential drying effects of retinol. Slather it onto your face each night before bed and enjoy up to 24 hours of hydration and more youthful-looking skin over time.

How To Use Retinol In Your 30s

If you didn’t jump on the retinol bandwagon as a teen or in your 20s, it's definitely not too late to start. While prevention is great, minimizing the look of wrinkles is also a valuable benefit of retinol. Get a jumpstart on those first signs of skin aging with the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30. The powerful daytime face cream contains pro-retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid and works over time to help smooth, firm, and brighten the skin. Plus, it’s infused with broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to help shield your skin from damaging UV rays. 

If you’re starting to notice fine lines and wrinkles creep up around your eye area, consider pairing your moisturizer with the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Eye Treatment, which contains the same vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and pro-retinol combo and is designed specifically to help combat eye-area wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness.

How To Use Retinol In Your 40s

If you used retinol consistently throughout your 20s and 30s, your skin should be plenty used to it, which means you may want to consider upgrading to a slightly stronger product to help target the visible signs of aging. We love the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol for maturing skin. It’s made with our highest concentration of pure retinol and contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help offset the potential drying effects of retinol. With consistent use over time, you’ll notice less prominent wrinkles, a smoother skin texture, and a brighter complexion—the key ingredients to youthful-looking skin. 

How To Use Retinol In Your 50s and Beyond

As you age, you may notice your skin begins to become drier, which could mean that the potent retinol treatments you used when you were younger don’t feel quite the same. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use retinol in your 50s—just that you should take care to choose a product aligned with your skin’s changing needs. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Overnight Mask is a great pick for those with drier skin. It’s formulated with pro-retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C and provides all-night hydration without leaving your skin feeling greasy or slick. We recommend applying a generous layer to your face and neck before bed each night—come morning, you’ll be greeted by smoother, more radiant-looking skin.

Retinol FAQs and Tips

If you still have questions about when to use a retinol serum vs. a moisturizer or how often you should use retinol, keep scrolling—we’re answering a few of the most commonly asked retinol-related questions below.

Is it good to use retinol every day? 

Whether or not you use retinol every day depends on several factors, including your skin type, tolerance level, and the strength of the product you’re using. Generally speaking, it’s best to start with a once or twice weekly application to give your skin time to acclimate. Once your skin is used to retinol, you should be able to use it every day or every other day with minimal irritation. Still, always read the instructions on the package of the product you’re using for clear guidance on when, how, and how often to use retinol.

How often does it take to see results from retinol? 

Very few—if any—skincare products provide immediate visible results. Though retinol starts working right away, the Cleveland Clinic notes that it could take several weeks before you begin to notice visible results. In some cases, your skin may appear worse before it gets better. If you’re using retinol and your skin appears dry, irritated, or like it’s not tolerating the product well, discontinue use and consult your dermatologist.

Should I use retinol or moisturizer first?

If you’re using a retinol serum or another lightweight treatment, you should apply it before your moisturizer to allow the product time to absorb. If, on the other hand, you’re using a retinol moisturizer, both steps are already combined into one, so you don’t need to worry about layering. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t layer a retinol serum with a retinol moisturizer, as doing so could increase the risk of skin irritation. 

What’s better, vitamin C or retinol?

Vitamin C and retinol are both excellent ingredients to incorporate into your anti-aging skincare routine, but neither is inherently better than the other—they simply provide different benefits. Vitamin C is great for brightening and refining the skin, while retinol is most commonly used to help target fine lines and wrinkles. To level up your routine, you can even use both together—just be sure to reach for a product formulated with both ingredients, such as the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30, or use them at different points in your routine. 

Next Up: 11 Anti-Aging Products To Refresh Your Skin and Fight Wrinkles

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris