Retinol Benefits: Is Retinol All It’s Made Out To Be?

We’ve all heard the huge claims around retinol and its potential benefits to soften the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and even help your skin make more collagen. But is it true? 

In this article, I’ll explore the biggest health claims about retinol and what researchers have found about this anti-aging compound. 

What is Retinol? 

Retinol is a type of vitamin-A-based retinoid, and it’s the most popular and studied anti-aging compound out there. 

Some of the most popular claims about retinol include that it: 

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Increases collagen production
• Stimulates new blood vessel production in the skin (improving skin color)
• Fades scaly spots
• Speeds the turnover of superficial skin cells
• Softens rough patches
• Evens pigmentation of the skin
• Fades age spots

According to Harvard Health Publishing, many of these purported benefits are true, but it takes around three to six months of regular retinol use before wrinkle reduction is visible. Retinol may also cause skin dryness and irritation in some users, so it’s usually recommended that you start applying it every other day and work up to daily application. 

Wearing sunscreen is very important, especially when using retinol, because it can increase the skin’s sensitivity to light. 

Anti-Aging Benefits

In an article published in Stanford Medicine, Stanford dermatologist Zakia Rahman, MD, shares that retinols are often a good place for people to start with anti-aging skincare without the need for a prescription. According to them, retinols have many uses in skin care, especially for improving collagen production, treating acne, and reducing wrinkles. 

So why does retinol work? 

Retinol speeds up how fast skin cells turn over, causing your cells to divide and create fresh new skin. In most people, collagen and elastic fibers in the skin decline over time, resulting in thinner and frailer skin that is more prone to showing damage like sun spots. 

Since retinol speeds up skin cell production, it can help to thicken your skin and increase the production of natural chemicals, like hyaluronic acid, that keep the skin softer and plumper. Retinol may even block several inflammatory pathways that worsen acne. 

Facial Image Analysis Results

A fascinating study published by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that topical retinol application significantly impacts the cellular and molecular properties of the skin. Over four weeks, retinol treatments were shown to increase epidermal thickness and collagen. 

Facial imaging also showed a sizable reduction in facial wrinkles in just 12 weeks of retinol application, which is pretty amazing! 

Wrinkle Reduction

A 2019 study examined how effective retinol was at reducing wrinkles. During a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study, researchers found that retinol significantly improved wrinkles in the eye’s outer corners. 

Then, researchers studied the skin on the necks of 152 Japanese female subjects. Half were given a retinol formula to apply twice a day for 12 weeks, while the other half received a placebo. 

Compared to the placebo, the retinol formula significantly improved neck wrinkles after eight weeks of application, demonstrating its use for both the face and neck. 

Another encouraging article by the Cleveland Clinic states that topical retinol helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by slowing collagen breakdown and improving skin elasticity. This may take several months of use, but it can improve your skin’s moisture levels and elasticity, promoting a smoother appearance overall. 

Overall Skin Appearance 

A unique study examined how retinol penetrates the skin and affects the appearance of photoaging, which is essentially how “aged” the skin appears, and measured factors like lack of brightness, wrinkles, and skin roughness. 

This study found that after eight to 12 weeks of retinol application 100% of subjects had improvements in overall photodamage, crow’s feet, and lack of elasticity. 

90% showed improvements in wrinkles and lack of brightness, with 80% showing an improvement in mottled hyperpigmentation (patchy skin tone). 

As if that wasn’t promising enough, 70% experienced reduced under-eye and forehead wrinkles, and 40% had reduced skin roughness. 

What amazes me about this study is that 100% of subjects experienced improvements — practically unheard of with most research studies! 

In addition, The Cleveland Clinic shares that topical retinol can lighten dark spots and even treat large pores by increasing skin cell turnover. By increasing the thickness of your skin, retinol discourages the development of clogged pores.

Inflammation and Acne

A 2022 study review conducted a deep dive into retinol’s benefits. I want to highlight one of the findings: topical retinoids combined with antibacterial therapy for the skin can help with inflammation. 

Using both of these types of skincare products regularly was shown to reduce inflammation and non-inflammation in the skin while producing other excellent results, as the retinol increased cell turnover. 

So many people have struggled with inflamed skin or acne at one point or another, so these findings really impress me. 

The Cleveland Clinic also shares that retinol can help with acne by preventing clogged pores, although it may take a few months to reach this “retinol purge’ of the skin. Retinol may even help with acne scars by minimizing inflammation and swelling. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re interested in trying retinol out, I recommend our Radiant Retinol Serum. This amazing serum combines retinol and bakuchiol to encourage more radiant, clear, and balanced skin while minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

On top of those powerhouse ingredients, we added niacinamide to boost the natural effects of retinol and promote more even, less red skin. Whether you have dry, oily, mature, or combination skin, this serum can help you boost your natural glow and beauty. 

Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in learning more about skincare. Check out our article on Argireline Benefits: Botox In A Cream?

Radiant regards, 

Herbalist Natalie 

Natalie Hajdu-Voakes is a consulting Herbalist with over 27 years of hands-on experience and the owner of The Herb Stop.