Retinoids, retinol, retinaldehyde, Retin-A—chances are you’ve heard at least one of these terms on your skincare journey. While all of the above are ever-so-slightly different (don’t worry, we’re breaking it all down), every vitamin-A derivative under the retinol umbrella shares a few key factors. Whether you're using a retinol cream, retinol eye cream, or a retinol serum, they will speed up skin cell turnover, even skin texture, brighten skin, provide anti-aging benefits (bye bye, fine lines), and, in some cases, help address acne. Basically, retinol can be the superhero of skincare.
But unfortunately, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Some skin types can’t tolerate it—even over-the-counter options can leave skin too dry, flaky, and irritated to continue use.
