By Ashlee Smith, Medical Aesthetics Nurse & Founder of S C I E N C E +

When it comes to proven, transformative skincare ingredients, retinol stands in a category of its own. Known as the gold standard in anti-aging, retinol is clinically recognized for its ability to smooth fine lines, even skin tone, and stimulate cell renewal. But with great power comes precision — and understanding how to introduce and use it correctly is the key to unlocking your best skin yet.

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What Is Retinol and How Does It Work?

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, an essential nutrient that supports skin renewal and repair. When applied topically, it accelerates the natural cell-turnover process — gently encouraging old, dull skin cells to shed and fresh, new ones to rise to the surface.

Beneath the surface, retinol also helps stimulate collagen and elastin production, improving firmness and reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The result is smoother texture, refined pores, and a more radiant, youthful complexion.