Retinol Myths Dermatologists Want You To Stop Believing

Retinoids are the gold standard ingredient when it comes to anti-aging and treating breakout-prone skin. They’re vitamin A derivatives that you can get over-the-counter or through a prescription. But there are a lot of myths out there that can prevent some people from incorporating a retinoid into their skincare routine. That’s why we brought in dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah (of @Doctorly!) to share the myths you need to stop believing.

Myth: Retinoids thin your skin

This may be one of the most common myths out there about retinoids. Retinoids DO NOT thin your skin. There are multiple layers in the skin’s epidermis The outermost layer, the stratum corneum, does thin with retinoid use, but this is the layer that causes dullness and dark spots (aka you want these skin cells to slough off). Retinoids actually thicken the rest of the skin, helping to achieve a more youthful appearance.

Myth: Retinoids exfoliate your skin

Retinoids do speed skin cell turnover, a process that slows down as we age, so you may experience flaking when you begin to use retinoids. But, retinoids don’t break up the bonds between skin cells that cause them to exfoliate.

Myth: You can’t wear retinoids during the day

Older formulations of retinoids were not stable in sunlight, but newer formulations are more stable in sunlight. In fact, there are certain formulations that recommend applying twice a day. There’s also the concern that retinoids will make you more sensitive to the sun, but there’s research that shows that is not the case.

Watch the video above to learn more about retinoids myths!