What Is Retinol and What You Need to Know Before You Start Using It
Retinol is considered the gold standard in anti-aging skincare — but how do you introduce it correctly into your routine? Alexandra Tătar, skin health mentor, explains everything you need to know before you get started.
What Exactly Is Retinol?
“Retinoid” is an umbrella term that includes all topical vitamin A derivatives — whether available over-the-counter or via medical prescription.
Retinol is a part of this family. And when it comes to documented benefits, the research is vast and clear: it helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles, supports natural collagen production, treats acne, and contributes to the health of the skin’s deeper layers. It is, without exaggeration, one of the few skincare ingredients backed by rock-solid evidence.
I call it the queen’s crown. And the queen, in any skincare routine, remains SPF. The two always go hand in hand.
Why Women Fear Retinol — and What Is Actually True About It
Just the other day, a client asked me if retinol can be used during the summer. My answer was: yes, of course.
The most common fear is related to photosensitivity — retinol makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, which can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation. This fear has a real foundation. But most of the time, the problem isn’t the retinol itself, but rather insufficient sun protection.
Here is what often happens: the morning flies by quickly — especially if you are a mother. You want to shorten your routine, you choose a tinted sunscreen to get a bit of natural color, but you apply too little of it so you don’t look “caked on.” The result: insufficient sun protection, not a problem caused by retinol.
The only situation where I pause retinol use is when I know I will be deliberately exposed to the sun — a beach vacation, for example. For everyday urban life, it remains a must-have ingredient in my routine.
Skincare Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Retinol works over the long term. Results do not happen overnight, nor should they be the criteria by which you evaluate it in the first few weeks.
What matters is that you integrate it correctly, protect your skin, and build a sustainable routine — not one that exhausts you or causes you anxiety.
If you feel you need personalized guidance to introduce retinol into your routine, I have prepared a detailed guide on how to use it — covering everything from concentrations to application order and common mistakes.
