What are retinol's benefits for wrinkles?

What does retinol actually change?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A. It speeds the replacement of old surface skin cells and supports collagen, the protein that gives skin structure and strength. These changes help soften fine surface wrinkles and improve texture. Retinol can also improve uneven pigmentation when wrinkles and sun damage appear together.234

Retinoids help preserve collagen by inhibiting enzymes that break it down. They also remodel the surface and deeper supporting layers of skin damaged by ultraviolet light. That damage, called photoaging, can be partly reversed with retinoid treatment; the benefit is improvement, not complete removal of every sign of aging.56

Do you need prescription retinol?

Retinol is available without a prescription and belongs to the wider retinoid family. Prescription tretinoin is a different member of that family and a well established treatment for sun damaged skin. Most people do not need a prescription retinoid to start treating fine lines, although prescription options can work faster. Start with the least intense retinol formula you can find rather than chasing the highest strength. Retinol percentages are not always disclosed on packaging.234

An affordable wrinkle product can be effective, because the receipt is not an active ingredient. Price alone does not tell you how well a product will work.7

How should you use retinol for wrinkles?

These are general application steps; follow your product's directions or your prescriber's instructions.

1. 1Test a small amount on a small area of skin first. Wait a couple of days and check for marked redness or itching before applying retinol to your face.
2. 2At bedtime, wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your skin dry. Do not scrub.
3. 3Apply a thin layer over your face, using about a pea sized amount. Keep retinol out of your eyes, mouth and nose.
4. 4Start every other night for the first couple of weeks. For easily irritated skin, start once every few days and increase gradually as tolerated.
5. 5Finish with moisturizer. A thin layer of moisturizer before retinol is another option if retinol irritates your skin.

Use broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, alongside shade and protective clothing. Retinoids increase sun sensitivity, and sun exposure accelerates wrinkles. Avoid doubling up with a separate retinol serum and a retinol moisturizer.237

How long until wrinkles look better?

Some changes in skin's look and feel take several weeks, but wrinkle improvement usually takes several months. About three months of regular use is a reasonable point to assess progress. Moisturizer can temporarily plump fine lines, which gives it a useful job without promoting it to a time machine. That quick effect is different from the slower changes retinol produces.2

Who should be careful or stop?

Dryness, redness, peeling and itching can occur. Stop a nonprescription product if it stings or burns; irritation can make aging signs more noticeable. For a prescribed retinoid, ask your dermatologist how to handle irritation. Persistent irritation needs medical advice.147

Seek advice before starting if you have very dry skin, skin allergies or substantial redness or inflammation. Irritation can trigger dark marks in darker skin, so start slowly and use moisturizer. Do not use retinoids during pregnancy. If breastfeeding, discuss retinol with your healthcare provider first. If regular use has not delivered the improvement you expected, a dermatologist can discuss prescription options.13