Can retinol make your wrinkles worse?
Jessica Wood
Updated on January 10, 2026
First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.
Can retinol bring out wrinkles?
Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color.Why does retinol give me more wrinkles?
Going overboard on the potent ingredient (known to cause irritation and dryness at high concentrations) can dry out your skin and make your wrinkles look more noticeable, says Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. Avoid this side ...Why does my skin look worse after retinol?
In theory, retinol makes your skin cell turnover faster. The increased cell turnover temporarily sloughs off more dead skin cells. This creates a lag time before new, healthy cells come to the surface of your skin. Your new skin is exposed before it's ready, and redness or discoloration, and irritation is the result.Does retinol cause skin to age faster?
Dermatologists point to many clinical studies refuting the idea that retinol thins the skin — and that there's no danger in using retinoids themselves if you're adding them to your skincare routine safely.10 REASONS WHY YOUR RETINOL IS NOT WORKING | DERMATOLOGIST @Dr Dray
Can retinol ruin your skin?
Incorrect retinol usage can cause drying, flaking, shedding, redness, and irritation of the skin as well as exacerbated acne. Retinol will also increase skin sensitivity to UV rays.Can retinol make under eye wrinkles worse?
Bare Skin Care - Is it possible for a retinol eye cream to make my under-eye wrinkles worse? First, the answer is yes, retinol can make wrinkles worse, especially when you first start using it. What is happening is a drying effect, and one can get epidermal sliding from separation from the dermis.Does retinol make skin worse before better?
6: Myth: If you have peeling or redness, you should stop using the retinoid. With retinoids, it's often a “worse-before-better” type of situation. Typical side effects include dryness, tightness, peeling, and redness — especially when first starting out.What are retinol uglies?
Peeling, redness, and irritation are common onset reactions for some people when they first start to use retinol. Some reactions get so bad that the common term used to describe the list of effects has been dubbed the “retinol uglies”. Note from a skincare expert: Many things in life get worse before they get better.What happens if you use too much retinol?
“If you're overusing your retinol, or if you're using a retinol that's too strong for you, it can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness, which may have led to retinol's association with skin thinning,” she says.When should I stop using retinol?
Discontinue use if you have negative side effects after a few weeks of use and contact your physician to help reassess your skin type and find a solution that will protect your skin barrier . Consider using moisturizing and soothing topical skin care products with retinol to counteract its negative side effects.How do I get rid of deep wrinkles?
There are treatments to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and even remove them.
- Retinoids (tretinoin, Altreno, Retin-A, Renova, Tazorac). ...
- Alpha-hydroxy acids. ...
- Antioxidants. ...
- Moisturizers. ...
- Glycolic acid peels. ...
- Deeper peels. ...
- Dermabrasion. ...
- Laser resurfacing.
Who shouldnt use retinol?
Who should skip retinol? “Retinols can be a beneficial addition for most skin types, but it isn't a one-size-fits-all approach,” Panzica says. Board certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, MD, notes that “people with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea cannot tolerate really strong topicals like retinols.”Should you use retinol every night?
Retinol is best applied at night since it can increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. When you do go outside, be sure to use sunscreen to protect your face. It's worth noting that you don't need to use retinol on a daily basis for it to effectively treat your acne. Even two to three times per week might be enough.Is collagen or retinol better for wrinkles?
This means that the results will be markedly improved when it comes to anti-aging and improving the appearance of scars, lines, and wrinkles. While collagen serum can certainly give your skin deep hydration and visibly improved skin texture, it simply doesn't have the same potent anti-aging benefits as retinol.Should I use retinol everyday?
Retinol can be used every day but needs time to workAfter you've built up your skin's tolerance to retinol, it's perfectly safe to use every day. Even users in their 20s can see improvements to their skin when retinol is part of their daily routine.