What are retinol creams for?

It's vitamin A, but in a pharmaceutical formulation made from carotenes, specifically beta-carotene. Vitamin A is the generic name for natural or synthetic retinoids that exist in the body in different forms. When natural retinoids are depleted, wrinkles occur, among other things. To give you a basic idea, retinol—along with other retinoids, such as retinoic acid and retinyl palmitate—is essentially a derivative of vitamin A, one of the body's key nutrients as it boosts cell regeneration. "It's often added to topical skin care products for its ability to stimulate skin renewal, lighten skin tone, reduce acne, and increase collagen production," explains New York dermatologist Whitney Bowe. "It also has antioxidant action against free radical damage, preventing it from leading to visible signs of aging."

"Balance is key," Bowe warns. "Retinol can be very irritating if used too frequently or if the formulation is too strong for our skin."

The expert recommends starting with a low-percentage formula (0.01% to 0.03%) and applying a pea-sized amount twice a week, gradually increasing usage to allow skin to acclimate. To this end, several time-release formulas have emerged that are suitable for skin prone to redness or breakouts.
"They're a great option for people with sensitive skin," explains New York dermatologist Francesca Fusco. "They release the active ingredient gradually to reduce irritation."
The main difference between the retinol prescribed by a specialist and any of the ones we can buy freely at the pharmacy, according to Bowe, is that the former is much more potent and has a higher percentage of retinol, so it may take us longer to get used to it.