Retinol: what is it, and how do you use it?

If you dream of smoother, more even skin, retinol is probably one of the first words you’ll come across. It’s one of the best-known ingredients for fine lines, and with a little patience, it can become a regular part of a calm evening routine. Here are the answers to the questions most people ask before getting started.

In brief

• Retinol is a form of vitamin A that can make fine lines less visible and skin more even.
• Start with a low strength 2–3 evenings a week, and build up slowly. Use sunscreen during the day.
• If you’re pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, wait before using retinol.

What is retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A. It belongs to a group of substances called retinoids. In the skin, retinol is converted into retinoic acid, the active form of vitamin A, which stimulates skin renewal.

Retinoic acid is also available as a prescription cream. Retinol is used in regular skincare and is better tolerated than retinoic acid¹. To learn more about the other forms, read our guide to retinoids or about vitamin A in skincare.

What does retinol do for the skin?

Retinol is best known for making fine lines less visible, but it takes patience: Expect 3–6 months of consistent use before assessing the results². Many people also use it for a more even skin tone and a smoother skin surface.

How do you use retinol?

Use retinol in the evening on clean, completely dry skin. Start with a low strength a couple of evenings a week, and only increase the frequency once your skin is comfortable with it. Retinol can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so use sunscreen every morning³.

How often should you use retinol?

Start slowly and let your skin set the pace. A plan might look like this:

• Week 1–2: 2 evenings a week.
• Week 3–4: 3 evenings a week.
• After that: every other evening and later every evening, if your skin is comfortable.

If your skin becomes dry, red or sensitive, take a step back in the plan and give it extra moisture. Use one vitamin A product at a time, not both a serum and a cream with vitamin A, and always follow the instructions on your product.

How old do you need to be to use retinol?

There’s no specific age at which you need to start. Many people start when the first fine lines appear. Retinol makes sense when you want to address fine lines or an uneven skin tone, and it’s your skin, not your age, that determines the pace. If you have young skin with blemishes, a mild cleanser and a light moisturiser are a good place to start.

Which retinol serum is best?

The best retinol serum is one your skin is comfortable using regularly. If you’re new to retinol or have sensitive skin, start with a low strength. Once your skin has become accustomed to it, you can move up a level. In the EU, facial skincare products may contain no more than 0,3 % vitamin A, calculated as retinol⁴.

	Retinol Serum 0,15 %	Retinol Serum 0,25 %	Vitamin A Treatment
Contains	Retinol	Retinol	Another form of vitamin A (HPR)
Texture	Soft serum in capsules	Soft serum in capsules	Cream and serum in one
Choose it if	you’re new to retinol or have sensitive skin.	your skin is used to retinol.	you want to keep your routine simple with one cream.

Can you use retinol around your eyes?

The skin around your eyes is thin and reacts more easily than the rest of your face. If you want to use retinol there, choose a product made for the eye area, follow the instructions and keep it away from your eyelids and lash line. If you use a retinol serum on your face, stop some distance from your eyes.

If you’d rather give the skin around your eyes extra care without vitamin A, our Energizing Eye Cream is made for fine lines and dark circles. It’s fragrance-free and can be used morning and evening.

What should you not use with retinol?

Retinol works well with mild ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Be more careful with these:

• Other vitamin A products: use only one at a time.
• Fruit acids such as AHA and BHA: use them on different evenings from retinol, so your skin doesn’t get too much at once.
• Vitamin C: you can use it in the morning and retinol in the evening.

Can you use retinol when pregnant or breastfeeding?

No, wait until you’ve finished breastfeeding before using retinol. As a precaution, prescription retinoids for the skin must not be used during pregnancy or if you’re planning to become pregnant⁵. We recommend the same caution with retinol in skincare, which is why our retinol products state that they should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

See which of our products you can use in our guide to pregnancy and skincare.

Bakuchiol: an alternative to retinol?

Bakuchiol comes from the seeds of a plant and is often called a plant-based alternative to retinol. Bakuchiol and retinol have been studied side by side: Both made fine lines and pigment spots less visible, and bakuchiol caused less peeling and stinging⁶. You’ll find bakuchiol in our Firming Facial Oil. Read more on our page about bakuchiol.

Where to find retinol in our range

Our Retinol Serum contains pure retinol in small capsules with exactly one dose, so the retinol is protected from light and air until you use it. Choose 0,15 % if you’re new to retinol or have sensitive skin, and 0,25 % when your skin is used to retinol. The serum is fragrance-free, dermatologically tested and AllergyCertified.

If you’d rather have a cream, choose Vitamin A Treatment (Vitamin A Treatment). It contains HPR, another form of vitamin A, and is made so that even sensitive skin can use it. And if you’re not happy with your purchase, you have our 100% satisfaction guarantee.

See all products with vitamin A

Not sure what else your skin needs? Take the short test below.

Frequently asked questions

Is retinol good for the skin?

Retinol is one of the best-known ingredients for fine lines and more even skin. Start slowly so your skin can get used to it.

What side effects can retinol cause?

At first, skin can become dry and red, peel or tingle. This often goes away once skin has become used to retinol. Use it less often for a while, and take a break if it stings a lot.

Can retinol help with acne?

Retinol in skincare can be part of your routine if you have blemishes, but it does not replace acne treatment. If you have acne, talk to your doctor, who can offer treatment, such as prescription retinoids.

Can you use retinol on your body?

Yes, but use a product made for the body. Facial products are intended for a smaller area, and in the EU, a body lotion may contain no more than 0,05 % vitamin A, calculated as retinol.

Can you use retinol in summer?

Yes. Use it in the evening and finish every morning with sunscreen. If you’re going to spend a lot of time in the sun, for example on holiday, you can take a break from retinol during that time.

Sources

1. Fluhr JW et al. Tolerance profile of retinol, retinaldehyde and retinoic acid under maximized and long-term clinical conditions. Dermatology. 1999. PubMed
2. Kikuchi K et al. Improvement of photoaged facial skin in middle-aged Japanese females by topical retinol (vitamin A alcohol): a vehicle-controlled, double-blind study. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2009. PubMed
3. Retinoid or retinol? American Academy of Dermatology. aad.org
4. Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/996 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards the use of Vitamin A, Alpha-Arbutin and Arbutin and certain substances with potential endocrine disrupting properties in cosmetic products. EUR-Lex. eur-lex.europa.eu
5. Updated measures for pregnancy prevention during retinoid use. European Medicines Agency. 2018. ema.europa.eu
6. Dhaliwal S et al. Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. British Journal of Dermatology. 2019. PubMed