What the science says about Retinol

Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

• The one study that tested it on its own found it helped acne
• A clinical trial found retinol 0.2% reduced inflammatory acne
• The study looked at retinol used on its own, not with other ingredients

4 studies

1. 1.

   A randomized controlled double-blinded split-face prospective clinical trial to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a novel 3-step routine compared to benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

   Archives of dermatological research·2024RCT21 participantsPositive

   In a 12-week split-face trial of 21 adults with acne, a routine with retinol used together with azelaic acid and salicylic acid cleared acne about as well as benzoyl peroxide.

   PubMed 38787441DOI

2. 2.

   A double-blind randomized controlled comparison of APDDR-0901, a novel cosmeceutical formulation, and 0.1% adapalene gel in the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

   European journal of dermatology : EJD·2011RCT97 participants0.03%Positive

   In a 12-week trial of 97 people with mild-to-moderate acne, a retinol combination put on the skin improved acne about as well as adapalene and caused fewer side effects early on.

   PubMed 21982956DOI

3. 3.

   Comparison of clinical efficacies of sodium ascorbyl phosphate, retinol and their combination in acne treatment.

   International journal of cosmetic science·2009RCT0.2%Positive

   In an 8-week clinical trial in people with inflammatory acne, 0.2% retinol used on its own reduced acne.

   PubMed 19134126DOI

4. 4.

   Treatment of mild to moderate acne with a fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres and papain glycospheres.

   Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia·2015Clinical trial94 participants1%Positive

   In a 12-week study of 94 people with mild to moderate facial acne, a gel with retinol used together with other ingredients reduced acne severity and spot counts.

   PubMed 25876142

• Most studies found retinol helped with signs of aging, especially wrinkles, uneven tone, and sun damage
• It often improved fine lines and wrinkles, including crow's-feet and forehead wrinkles
• It also helped skin look brighter, smoother, and more even in tone
• Some studies found it worked about as well as tretinoin for facial sun damage
• The most common side effects were redness, irritation, scaling, stinging, and dryness

23 studies

1. 1.

   Comparative efficacy of topical interventions for facial photoaging: a network meta-analysis.

   Scientific reports·2025Meta-analysis3,905 participantsPositive

   A large review found retinol improved fine wrinkles and pigmentation in people treated for skin photoaging.

   PubMed 40707570DOI

2. 2.

   Barrier Function and Biophysical Effects of 0.104% and 0.247% Retinol Creams in Mature Facial Skin: A Prospective Study.

   International journal of molecular sciences·2026RCT38 participantsPositive

   Retinol creams improved skin hydration and brightness, while the stronger cream caused more redness.

   PubMed 42653210DOI

3. 3.

   Novel Cyclized Hexapeptide-9 Outperforms Retinol Against Skin Aging: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Active- and Vehicle-Controlled Clinical Trial.

   Journal of cosmetic dermatology·2025RCT0.002%Positive

   In a 56-day trial, retinol reduced crow’s-feet area and the number and area of forehead wrinkles.

   PubMed 40586182DOI

4. 4.

   Biomarkers of Tretinoin Precursors and Tretinoin Efficacy in Patients With Moderate to Severe Facial Photodamage: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

   JAMA dermatology·2022RCT20 participantsMixed

   In a 24-week study of 20 people, a cream with retinol and related ingredients improved photoaging about as well as tretinoin and caused less redness.

   PubMed 35675051DOI

5. 5.

   A Clinical Anti-Ageing Comparative Study of 0.3 and 0.5% Retinol Serums: A Clinically Controlled Trial.

   Skin pharmacology and physiology·2020RCT37 participants0.3% and 0.5%Positive

   In a 12-week study, retinol serums reduced dark patches, uneven skin, and wrinkles, while irritation was usually mild or moderate.

   PubMed 32428912DOI

6. 6.

   A Double-Blind, Comparative Clinical Study of Newly Formulated Retinol Serums vs Tretinoin Cream in Escalating Doses: A Method for Rapid Retinization With Minimized Irritation.

   Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD·2020RCT0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%Positive

   In a 12-week study, retinol serums matched tretinoin and improved smoothness and dryness more, with greater collagen formation and skin thickening.

   PubMed 32574009DOI

7. 7.

   Randomized parallel control trial checking the efficacy and impact of two concentrations of retinol in the original formula on the aging skin condition: Pilot study.

   Journal of cosmetic dermatology·2020RCT40 participants0.15% and 0.3%Positive

   In an 8-week study of 40 people, both retinol strengths improved skin appearance, hydration, radiance, wrinkles, and discoloration, with minimal side effects.

   PubMed 31222977DOI

8. 8.

   Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing.

   The British journal of dermatology·2019RCT44 participants0·5%Positive

   In a 12-week study of 44 people, retinol reduced wrinkles and dark spots but caused more scaling and stinging than bakuchiol.

   PubMed 29947134DOI

• Most studies found retinol helped fade dark spots or patches
• It improved dark spots from sun-damaged facial skin in both clinical trials and a large review
• In melasma, a retinol peel faded dark patches about as well as a glycolic acid peel
• One study found another retinoid blend improved dark spots more than retinol alone
• The most common side effects were irritation, dryness, redness, scaling, stinging, itching, and burning

12 studies

1. 1.

   Comparative efficacy of topical interventions for facial photoaging: a network meta-analysis.

   Scientific reports·2025Meta-analysis3,905 participantsPositive

   In a large review of 3905 people, retinol put on the skin improved fine wrinkles and dark spots from sun-damaged facial skin.

   PubMed 40707570DOI

2. 2.

   Comparative Efficacy of 35 % Glycolic Acid Peel versus 4 % Retinol Peel in Melasma.

   Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]·2026RCT60 participants4%Positive

   In a clinical trial of 60 people with melasma, a retinol peel improved dark patches and quality of life over 6 sessions, about as well as a glycolic acid peel.

   PubMed 40970768DOI

3. 3.

   A Clinical Anti-Ageing Comparative Study of 0.3 and 0.5% Retinol Serums: A Clinically Controlled Trial.

   Skin pharmacology and physiology·2020RCT37 participants0.3% and 0.5%Positive

   In a 12-week trial of 37 people, retinol serum reduced wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and dark spots, but it also caused mostly mild or moderate skin irritation.

   PubMed 32428912DOI

4. 4.

   Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing.

   The British journal of dermatology·2019RCT44 participants0.5%Positive

   In a 12-week trial of 44 people with facial photoageing, retinol cream reduced wrinkles and dark spots, but caused more scaling and stinging than bakuchiol.

   PubMed 29947134DOI

5. 5.

   Retinyl propionate and climbazole combination demonstrates clinical improvement to the appearance of hyperpigmentation and deep wrinkling with minimal irritation.

   International journal of cosmetic science·2017RCT45 participants0.1%Negative

   In a 16-week split-face trial of 45 women, retinol improved skin aging signs, but the retinyl propionate and climbazole side improved more and caused more irritation.

   PubMed 28733999DOI

6. 6.

   Treatment of facial photodamage using a novel retinol formulation.

   Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD·2013RCT41 participants1%; 0.5%Positive

   In 41 people, retinol cream improved sun-damaged facial skin, and the lower-strength version caused only minimal burning, dryness, itching, and redness over 8 weeks.

   PubMed 23652947

7. 7.

   Novel approach to the treatment of hyperpigmented photodamaged skin: 4% hydroquinone/0.3% retinol versus tretinoin 0.05% emollient cream.

   Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.]·2005RCT0.3%Positive

   Over 16 weeks, a cream with Retinol and hydroquinone reduced uneven color, fine wrinkles, and rough feel more than tretinoin cream in people with photodamaged skin.

   PubMed 16029670DOI

8. 8.

   An Advanced, Physician-Strength Retinol Peel Improves Signs of Aging and Acne Across a Range of Skin Types Including Melasma and Skin of Color.

   Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD·2019Clinical trial24 participants3%Positive

   In a 24-person study, retinol peels used with other skin care improved fine lines, wrinkles, skin firmness, and uneven tone, and side effects were well tolerated.

   PubMed 31524348

Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

• Both studies that tested it on its own found it helped with skin texture and pores
• Studies found retinol made skin feel smoother and less rough
• One study found it improved uneven skin tone along with rough texture
• It worked about as well as tretinoin for these skin changes

3 studies

1. 1.

   A Double-Blind, Comparative Clinical Study of Newly Formulated Retinol Serums vs Tretinoin Cream in Escalating Doses: A Method for Rapid Retinization With Minimized Irritation.

   Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD·2020RCT0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%Positive

   In a 12-week study, retinol serums matched tretinoin and improved smoothness and dryness more, with greater collagen formation and skin thickening.

   PubMed 32574009DOI

2. 2.

   Assessing changes in facial skin quality using noninvasive in vivo clinical skin imaging techniques after use of a topical retinoid product in subjects with moderate-to-severe photodamage.

   Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI)·2022Clinical trial23 participantsPositive

   In a 12-week study of 23 people, a topical retinol product improved uneven tone, roughness, wrinkles, and other signs of sun-damaged skin.

   PubMed 35691012DOI

3. 3.

   An Advanced, Physician-Strength Retinol Peel Improves Signs of Aging and Acne Across a Range of Skin Types Including Melasma and Skin of Color.

   Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD·2019Clinical trial24 participants3%Positive

   In a study of 24 people, a retinol peel with home care improved fine lines, wrinkles, pores, and uneven tone; visible peeling faded after treatment.

   PubMed 31524348