Retinol is actually a type of Vitamin A. There are different grades of retinol, some which require a doctor’s prescription whereas others a available over the counter. Typically, those that are over the counter are gentler, they are less harsh on the skin, and they are suitable of long-term use for purposes such as anti-aging as well as to treat mild-acne.

Typically for retinols or for vitamin A creams, in the short run, your skin will produce less oil and hence you will start to have less pimples, which will help with your acne conditions. Over months and years of consistent and sustained use, your skin will have better collagen production, less fine lines, as well as smaller-looking pores.

These are different subtypes of retinoids. They are essentially under the family of vitamin A. In general, we differentiate between the medical grade ones, which require a doctor prescription. These are typically used for acne first, but they also have anti-aging benefits. These are stronger, but they might have a little bit more side effects. This is in contrast to over-the-counter retinols, these are generally more for anti-aging, but they also have acne or oil-reduction benefits.

You can start using Retinol after your mid-twenties or whenever you notice signs of aging such as fine lines or wrinkles.

Individual results of retinol use will vary. Most people will see results after one to two months of continuous daily use of retinol. The results will get progressively better over time.

Yes, you can. In fact, retinol can help to reduce sebum production in your skin.

Retinol can cause dryness of your skin if it is used excessively. In order to minimize that, do remember to use a lot of moisturizer. You can also use retinol products that contains hydrating compounds such as ceramides.

If you are using retinol In your skincare routine, do remember to avoid AHAs and BHAs.

Retinol as an ingredient is essential for anti-aging and anti-acne. You can use retinol at night, with lots of moisturizers and sunblock. This is because retinol can potentially make you skin a little more sensitive to the sun. So, by using it at night, you avoid getting sensitivity as well as sunburn. Thus, if you are first starting out using retinol, you should start using it at night.

The common side effects of retinol include redness, dryness, peeling and even a tingling sensation when you start using it