What are retinol's benefits for acne?

How does retinol help acne?

Acne develops when oil and dead skin cells block hair follicles. Retinoids affect how skin cells mature and help shed surface scale, addressing the buildup behind those blockages. Retinol's main acne benefit is preventing clogged pores rather than simply treating a visible spot after it appears.134

Topical retinoid medicines clear pores and treat blackheads, whiteheads and some pimples. They can also lighten dark marks left after acne and serve as maintenance treatment once breakouts are controlled. These benefits make retinoids useful beyond clearing the spots you have today.5

Should you choose retinol or an acne retinoid?

For mild acne, a retinoid can be a useful option. Retinol is available without a prescription and is commonly used for uneven tone and texture. For an acne specific medicine, adapalene is available in both prescription and nonprescription formulations in the US; tretinoin, tazarotene and trifarotene require a prescription.2

Start with the lowest retinol strength you can find rather than chasing the strongest formula. A retinol percentage does not have to appear on an over the counter label, which gives comparison shopping a surprisingly active imagination.2

Retinol is sold in creams, gels, lotions, ointments and serums, so choosing a format can feel like a separate skincare qualification.1

How do you use retinol for acne?

1. 1Test a little retinol on a small area first. Wait a couple of days and check for marked redness or itching before adding it to your routine.
2. 2At bedtime, wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry. Do not scrub.
3. 3Follow the package directions. General retinol guidance is a thin, pea sized amount over the face, avoiding the eyes, mouth and nose, every other night for the first couple of weeks.
4. 4Finish with a moisturizer labelled noncomedogenic, meaning it is designed not to clog pores.
5. 5During the day, use broad spectrum, water resistant SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, seek shade and wear protective clothing.

For a prescribed retinoid, follow your dermatologist's directions instead. If irritation develops, your dermatologist can adjust the amount or frequency, or recommend moisturizer before the medicine. Benzoyl peroxide is sometimes combined with a retinoid to address different causes of acne; follow the prescribed combination rather than improvising the doses.5

How long does improvement take?

Acne treatment generally takes at least 6 to 8 weeks to produce fewer breakouts, and topical retinoids can take 12 weeks or longer. Retinol users can still develop pimples during the first couple of months, and skin can initially look worse. Raised or sunken scars need separate expectations: topical retinol does not reliably resolve severe scars.156

Who should be careful or see a doctor?

Do not use retinoids during pregnancy. Sensitive, dry or allergy prone skin needs caution, and topical retinoids can worsen eczema. Dryness, peeling, redness and burning are possible side effects. In darker skin, irritation can trigger new dark marks, so starting slowly and moisturizing matter even when fading marks is your goal.126

See a doctor for deep, painful spots, scarring, acne that is not improving with self treatment, or acne affecting your mental health. Hot, swollen or red skin also needs medical assessment. Severe acne should not be treated with a topical retinoid alone.367