Start here
New to retinol? Use this path.
Four pages cover the decisions that matter most before you start stacking ingredients or shopping by hype.
Step 1
Understand the family
Start with what retinol is and how retinol differs from retinoid, retinal, adapalene, and tretinoin.
Step 2Choose a manageable strength
Learn why percentage is only one part of formula intensity.
Step 3Build the routine
Use a small amount, start slowly, and decide where moisturizer fits.
Step 4Troubleshoot early
Separate normal dryness from significant irritation and do not automatically label every breakout a purge.