Ingredient glossary
Retinol
On your shelf ✓What Retinol does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Retinol · Also: Vitamin A
In short: Retinol delivers anti-aging support and texture, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: not for pregnancy or breastfeeding; can irritate, ease in slowly.
- What it does
- Anti aging, texture
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Not for pregnancy or breastfeeding; can irritate, ease in slowly
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is softening fine lines and keeping skin firm, Retinol delivers, and the research properly backs it up. Skip it while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and the rest of the time bring it in slowly.
— Maya
What it does
- anti aging
- texture
strong evidenceRobust evidence that topical retinol improves fine lines, texture and pigmentation, but with a well-known irritation profile.
On a label: works best above 0.1%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- normal
- oily
- combo
Approach with care
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- very sensitive
- compromised barrier
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskHigh
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveTake care
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: pregnancy, breastfeeding, compromised barrier.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- ceramides
- niacinamide
- panthenol
Retinol, answered
Is Retinol safe during pregnancy?
No. Retinol is best avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or trying, leave this one out and ask your doctor about a safe alternative.
Who should avoid Retinol?
Approach Retinol with care if any of these apply to you: pregnancy, breastfeeding, very sensitive, and compromised barrier. Its irritation risk is high, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of Retinol actually works?
Research tends to show Retinol starts pulling its weight above 0.1%. If a brand prints the percentage, that is the number to look for.
During pregnancy
Leave Retinol out while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It sits on the list of ingredients usually held back during this time.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Commonly confused with
- Retinyl PalmitateRetinyl palmitate is the gentlest, weakest retinoid; your skin converts it into retinol, so it does less and works more slowly.
- RetinalRetinal sits one conversion step closer to the active form than retinol, so it tends to work a little faster.
- TretinoinTretinoin is the prescription acid form that works right away. Retinol is the gentler over-the-counter version your skin has to convert first.
- AdapaleneAdapalene is a prescription-grade retinoid built to be more stable and less irritating than the older ones.
- BakuchiolBakuchiol is a plant ingredient sold as a natural retinol alternative. It is gentler, but it is not a true retinoid and works differently.
Compare Retinol with
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