As a beauty editor, the number-one question I get asked on a near-weekly basis, generally via frantic texts at 8 a.m. on Monday mornings, is “how do I stop aging!"” with a bunch of sobbing emojis. (The quarter-life crisis is real, folks.)
The answer is simple: You can’t. Womp womp. But you can make your skin look a hell of a lot smoother, less-wrinkled, and…OK, yes, younger, with retinoids (the umbrella name for all vitamin-A derivatives, like retinol). The problem is that retinoids often make no sense unless you’re three years deep into medical school. There’s so much incorrect, or honestly, straight-up lacking information out there that people end up using the wrong products that either burn off their skin, turn them into a peeling snake, or do absolutely nothing. Fun! MORE: The Best Moisturizers for Dry, Sensitive Skin
Either way, people are confused?meaning they’re missing out on literally the best anti-aging, anti-acne, anti-dark spot (yup, retinoids wear many hats) ingredient they could and should be using. So we’re clearing the air by breaking down the five biggest retinoid myths that you’ve probably come to accept as facts. Keep reading to become a totally new, enlightened individual, who can go forth with soft skin and a new smart-ass ability to say “did you know…” to your friends. Here’s how retinol affects your skin.
MYTH #1: Retinols basically just peel off the top layer of your s...