Can retinol make you look older at first?

Author: Stephany Berge  |  Last update: Saturday, June 14, 2025

The Wrinkle Worsening Myth Here's the tea: Retinol does NOT make your wrinkles worse. But (and it's a big but), it can sometimes make your skin look worse before it gets better. When you first start using retinol, it's literally speeding up the process of cell turnover.

Does retinol make wrinkles look worse at first?

No, retinol doesn't make wrinkles worse before making it better. Retinol has Vitamin A and anti-ageing compounds that help fight acne, reduce wrinkles, stimulate collagen, and promote cellular turnover. They're also known for evening out skin tone and increasing blood flow to the skin.

Can retinol make me look older?

No. Time makes you age. Nothing else. If you want to know what makes you look older faster, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, sun exposure.... those things make you look older faster but retinol only helps your skin. It doesn't make you look older.

How long does the retinol uglies last?

This varies, but you can expect the purge to last anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months. If you're seeing results for longer than 3 months, you might want to consult your GP or dermatologist. But first, be sure your skin concerns are definitely related to retinol…

What happens to your face when you first start using retinol?

Because retinoids cause skin to shed cells faster than normal, you're likely to experience flaking, dryness, irritation, and/or breakouts as your skin adjusts. Luckily, there are things you can do to mitigate the effects.

The #1 Anti-aging Hack

How long does a retinol purge last?

How long does retinol purging last? In general, a retinol purge is a one-time deal that takes about four weeks to complete, although the amount of time varies by skin type. (Speaking of, retinol isn't a good idea for those with eczema, severe rosacea, or extremely sensitive skin.)

How long until your face gets used to retinol?

"There's a 'learning curve,' or adjustment period, for the skin during the first several weeks of use, which is why many people may experience these irritating and inflammatory side effects." Don't freak out, though—this is all part of the process, and you need to stick with it in order to get to a point where your ...

What does a retinol purge look like?

For those of us who do suffer from purging, it can look like: breaking out in pustules (pimples), the appearance of flaky, peeling skin, irritation and dry patches. Getting these symptoms can be demotivating, especially if you're already feeling unconfident about your skin.

What happens if I stop retinol for 2 weeks?

For some people, stopping retinol abruptly may not lead to serious changes, but it's always best to consult a dermatology provider to determine the most suitable approach based on your specific circumstances. However, there is a chance your more obvious signs of aging may return after discontinuing retinol.

Does retinol speed up Ageing?

Retinol has many skin-clearing and antiaging benefits. Retinol increases the thickness and elasticity of your skin, slows the production of melanin, reduces inflammation and prevents clogged pores.

Why do I look older after tretinoin?

In fact, the skin isn't getting worse but the initial period of adjustment may include skin dryness, flaking or irritation makes it look rougher. This then makes the skin look more aged or tired. Potential for Long-term Damage: If you don't use Tretinoin properly then you can damage the skin under your eyes.

Does retinol bring out age spots?

Retinoids minimize the appearance of wrinkles, bolster skin's thickness and elasticity, slow the breakdown of collagen (which helps keep skin firm), and lighten brown spots caused by sun exposure.

Is retinol making me look older?

The Wrinkle Worsening Myth

Here's the tea: Retinol does NOT make your wrinkles worse. But (and it's a big but), it can sometimes make your skin look worse before it gets better. When you first start using retinol, it's literally speeding up the process of cell turnover.

Is vitamin C serum better than retinol?

If you want to target wrinkles, uneven texture, or acne, retinol is your best bet. If you're looking for brighter skin and protection from environmental damage, vitamin C is the way to go.

How long did your retinol uglies last?

How Long Do Retinol Uglies Last? Typically, anywhere from 7 days to one or even two months. Skin purging from retinol is one of the uglies that you might not recognize and it can last pretty long. The retinol works to purge your skin of everything that might be blocking your pores and causing breakouts.

How to know if retinol is working?

You will be able to tell that Retinol is working if you start to see improvements in the texture and general appearance of your skin. Some people might be able to spot changes in their skin quite quickly, while others will have to be more patient.

How many times a week should I use retinol?

We recommend following the 1-2-3 rule: apply retinol once a week for one week, twice a week for two weeks, three times for three weeks, then move towards every second night if there are no side effects happening. If you do experience flaking, redness or sensitivity, simply move back to a lower frequency for a week.

What are the symptoms of retinol uglies?

In addition to increased acne types like whiteheads and blackheads, Dr. Hartman says that new retinoid users may also experience redness, peeling, and general skin irritation, "especially on the areas of the face where the skin is the thinnest, like around the nose and mouth."

Is 1% retinol too strong?

For beginners, most dermatologists recommend a retinol with a concentration of 0.25 percent to one percent to see results. If your skin is not sensitive, you can usually tolerate something right in the middle; Dr.

What is the best retinol alternative?

We break down our list into serums, eye creams and moisturizers so you can find the retinol alternative that best fits into your skin care routine.
  • Herbivore Bakuchiol Serum. ...
  • Naturium Azelaic Acid Serum. ...
  • Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Resurfacing Serum. ...
  • Kora Organics Plant Stem Cell Retinol Alternative Serum.

How to tell if retinol is too strong?

Excessive Peeling: When your skin starts peeling off like a bad sunburn, it's definitely auditioning for a reptilian role. This kind of peeling indicates that the retinol is too strong and your skin cells are being sloughed off faster than they can regenerate.

Should you put retinol under your eyes?

Improved skin texture: regular use of retinol in the eye contour can help smooth the texture of the skin, making it look smoother and more even. Reduction of hyperpigmentation: this compound can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and discoloration around the eyes.

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