Retinol Side Effects: What’s Normal, What’s Not & How To Fix Them

Last Updated on September 29, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

“I’m scared of retinol side effects. I know retinol is the best wrinkle-fighter out there, but I don’t want to deal with redness and irritation. What should I do?” I hear ya. Retinol can make your skin worse before it makes it better. The most common retinol side effects are significant dryness, peeling, redness, itching and irritation, especially when you first start using it. Mild irritation often improves as your skin adjusts. Severe burning, swelling, blistering or irritation that doesn’t improve is a sign to stop using it and give your skin a break.

These side effects are no fun. But leaving retinol out of your skincare routine won’t do either. Mmm.. What if I told you you could get all the benefits of retinol without the side effects? I’m not kidding. Retinol can be harsh AF, but for every problem it threatens to make, there’s a workaround that stops the damage in its tracks. Curious? Here are all the possible retinol side effects and how to deal with them: (P.S. I’m talking about retinol here but all the tips below apply to ALL forms of vitamin A.)

Retinol Side Effects At A Glance

Why Does Retinol Cause Side Effects?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A and one of the few anti-aging ingredients that actually lives up to the hype. Once it gets into your skin, your body converts it into retinoic acid, the form your skin can actually use. That’s when the magic starts: retinoids help boost collagen production, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and regulate how skin cells behave.

P.S. All topical retinoids work the same. What changes is their strengths. Retinyl palmitate, for example, is the gentlest and usually safe even for sensitive skin, but it doesn’t do much for wrinkles or acne. Prescription forms of retinoids, like tretinoin, work faster but are harsher (hence why they need to be prescribed by a dermatologist).

Related: Which Form Of Retinoids Is Right For You?

Retinol Side Effects #1: Tight, Dry Skin

Retinol speeds up cell turnover, i.e. the skin’s natural exfoliating process. Technically, retinol is NOT an exfoliant because it doesn’t remove dead skin cells itself. It just helps this natural process happen faster. Either way, you’re still getting more exfoliation than usual. This disrupts the skin’s protective barrier, letting moisture evaporate into thin air. Less moisture = drier skin. By the way, that tight feeling, like your skin’s being pulled in? Another symptom of dryness. Here’s how you fix it:

1. Stop exfoliating: I already recommend you alternate glycolic acid (or whatever other exfoliant you’re using with retinol at night). But if you’re new to retinol, it may be a good idea to stop exfoliation for a month. If you can’t do that, cut down exfoliation to once or twice a week. And NEVER exfoliate on nights you use retinol.
2. Moisturise: after retinol, slather on a rich moisturiser or oil. They create a film on the skin that keeps moisture it and help repair the skin’s broken barrier. Rosehip, squalane and marula are some of my fave (The Ordinary retinol products all have a squalane base 😉 ).

Best Picks:

• CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($20.99): Suitable for all skin types, it moisturises skin and repairs your skin’s protective barrier without adding more oil to it. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, and Ulta.
• Paula’s Choice Resist Moisture Renewal Booster ($39.00): Loaded with any non-fragrant oil you can think of, it deeply moisturises even the driest of skin types. Available at Paula’s Choice
• The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rise Hip Seed Oil ($10.90): A moisturising and anti-aging oil suitable for all skin types. Available at Asos, Cult Beauty, SpaceNK, The Ordinary and Ulta

Related: How To Use Rosehip Oil In Your Skincare Routine

Struggling to put together a skincare routine that minimises wrinkles, prevents premature aging, and gives your complexion a youthful glow? Download your FREE “Best Anti-Aging Skincare Routine” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):

Retinol Side Effects #2: Redness & Itching

Redness and itching are symptoms of inflammation. It happens when your skin’s protective barrier breaks down. It’s a little wound that triggers inflammation, the body’s healing response. It usually happens to women with sensitive skin. Retinol makes your skin exfoliates at a faster pace and your skin can’t take that. It’s also common in women who use too much retinol too soon. Like 1% every day when you’re first starting out? That’s asking for trouble. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Start small: start with a low concentration of retinol twice a week and increase both dose and frequency gradually. I explain how to do this (and what products to use) in this post.
2. Choose microencapsulated formulations: microencapsulation is a technology that releases retinol into your skin slowly, over a period of several hours instead than all at once. That makes retinol way less irritating. Still, microencapsulated products tend to contain high concentrations so upgrade when your skin is ready. Don’t use this as an excuse to use 1.5% retinol daily from the start.
3. Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise: dryness isn’t the only symptom of a broken protective barrier. But the cure is the same. Moisturise your skin well so you can restore that barrier, pronto!
4. Add soothing serums: If the above isn’t enough, consider adding a serum with anti-inflammatory ingredients, like colloidal oatmeal, feverfew extract, or centella asiatica, that can soothe redness and irritations.

Best picks:

• CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($20.99): Suitable for all skin types, it moisturises skin and repairs your skin’s protective barrier without adding more oil to it. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, and Ulta.
• Niod Modulating Glucosides (£27.00): This is the best serum I’ve found to combat redness and reduce irritation. Available at Harrods, Niod, and Selfridges
• Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM ($65.00): This baby contains 1.5% retinol. It’s a very high concentration, but it’s encapsulated to be gentler on the skin. Still, build your way up to it. This should NOT be your first retinol serum. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Face The Future, Look Fantastic, Peter Thomas Roth,  Sephora, and Ulta

Related: What Strength Of Retinol Do You Need?

Retinol Side Effects #3: Breakouts

Retinol can help you make your acne better… by making it worse! Let me explain… Remember I just told you retinol speeds up the skin’s natural exfoliating process? Well, if you have some underlying breakouts, the faster speed of exfoliation will make them come to the surface sooner. It’s usually oily and acne-prone skin types that experience retinol breakouts. But anyone can get a pimple (or three!) after they start using retinol. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Make sure it’s a purge: “purging” is when your skin is getting rid of all the underlying breakouts. It usually happens on your pimples-prone areas and lasts about a month. Until then keep at it. If you still have pimples after that, it’s likely a breakout. Ditch the product immediately! To figure out if you’re dealing with a purge or breakout, check out this post.
2. Exfoliate with salicylic acid: I know I said go easy on exfoliation, but salicylic acid is the exception to the rule. This oil-soluble exfoliant gets inside the pores, removing all the gunk that accumulates in there and gives you pimples. As retinol purges your skin, salicylic acid helps you purge the purge. Still, you should use this 2/3 times a week only – and ONLY on nights you do NOT use retinol.

Best picks:

• Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant ($37.00): A gel-like exfoliant with a lower concentration of salicylic acid + soothing agents to exfoliate skin without irritating it. It works more slowly than the other exfoliants on this list, but it’s gentler. Available at Cult Beauty, Paula’s Choice, and SpaceNK
• Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ($37.00): The cult exfoliant from the brand, it unlclogs pores and treats blackheads and acne. The texture’s a little sticky, but if you can take that, this is one of the best salicylic acid exfoliants out there. Available at Cult Beauty, Paula’s Choice and SpaceNK.
• The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (£6.10): A no-frills salicylic acid serum that gets the job done. Available at Asos, Boots, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta

Related: How To Tell If You’re Experiencing A Purge Or A Breakout

Retinol Side Effects #4: Sun Sensitivity

Is it me or all retinol problems stem from its “exfoliating” properties? (Again, technically, retinol is NOT an exfoliant, but you get what I mean). Dead cells are there for a reason. They protect skin from UV rays and other skin enemies. When you remove them, your skin gets smoother and brighter. But it’s also more exposed to sunlight. Potentially, that means more sun damage. Here’s how to fix it:

The Fix

1. Use retinol at night: there’s no rule that says that retinol can’t be used during the day. But why risk it? Slather it on when the sun ain’t around.
2. Wear sunscreen: even if you use retinol at night, those dead cells are off your skin anyway. That’s why it’s even more important to wear sunscreen every single day (rain or shine) when you’re on retinol. Skip it at your skin’s peril.

Best Picks:

• EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 ($45.00): A lightweight half-mineral, half-chemical sunscreen for normal skin that skews slightly oily. It protects from UV rays, provides a light layer of hydration, and brightens dark spots. Available at Blue Mercury and Dermstore.
• MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UVA-UVB Sunscreen ($30.00): A mineral sunscreen with a silky smooth texture that provides broad spectrum protection and hydrates skin at the same time. Available at Dermstore, Revolve, and Skin Store.
• Ultrasun Ultra Sensitive Very High SPF50+ Extreme Formula (£54.00): This sunscreen uses the latest generation of chemical UV filters to provide broad spectrum, water-resistant protection without irritating sensitive skin, like the old generation did. Available at Boots, Sephora, and SpaceNK.

Related: Why Mineral Sunscreens Are The Best For Sensitive Skin

When Side Effects Are NOT Normal

Are you experiencing the redness/itchininess/dryness on steroids? Like, you have a burning stinging that hurts like hell instead than a gentle tingling. Or your skin’s been flaking for a month straight no matter what you do. Or your skin feels tight all day long even if you keep moisturising it. Swelling, blistering, or raw, cracked skin are also signs things have gone too far.

When Should You Stop Using Retinol?

Stop using retinol (or retinal, or any other form of retinoid) if the irritation is severe, painful, or just isn’t getting better even after you’ve cut back and piled on the moisturiser. At that point, pushing through isn’t going to earn you better results. It’s just going to damage your skin even more.

Some people just can’t take it. I know it sucks, but give it up. Instead, try using a gentler form of Vitamin A like hydroxypinacolone retinoate or retinaldehyde. If even those are too much for your sensitive skin, don’t force it. There are plenty other anti aging ingredients you can use.

Related: What Form Of Vitamin A Is Right For You?

FAQs About Retinol Side Effects

Can I use retinol if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

Don’t even think about it. I know you wanna keep your skin looking good but vitamin A is sketchy when you’re growing a human. The studies show high doses can cause birth defects in rats. Your face cream isn’t the same as popping vitamin A pills, but we literally don’t know if it’s safe. Nobody’s done the research on humans (for obvious reasons!). Use bakuchiol or azelaic acid instead – they work and won’t harm your baby.

Related: Which Ingredients Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?

Can I use retinol with vitamin C? What about niacinamide?

Yeah totally! That whole “don’t mix them” thing is old news. Research says they’re fine together. Vitamin C in the morning, retinol at night – boom, done. And niacinamide is actually BETTER with retinol cause it keeps your skin from freaking out. You can put it on before or after, whatever. Just don’t dump 5 new things on your face at once or you won’t know what’s making you break out.

Related: Which Skincare Ingredients Should You NEVER Use Together?

Why is my skin peeling? Is that normal?

A little peeling the first few weeks? Yeah, normal. Your skin’s adjusting. Moisturize a ton and you’ll be fine. But if you’re literally shedding like a lizard or it’s been a month and you’re still peeling everywhere? Stop. That’s too much. Use less retinol, do it less often, get something gentler. You shouldn’t look like you’re falling apart. Bit of flaking, okay. Full-on reptile mode, not okay.

Should I take breaks from retinol or use it year-round?

Honestly nobody can agree on this. Some derms say take breaks, some say never stop. Research says it works better if you keep at it, but like… if it’s winter and your face is dying, take a break. I use it all year but I use less when it’s cold or I’m on vacation somewhere sunny. Just don’t completely quit for months at a time. Adjust how much you use, not whether you use it.

What’s the difference between OTC retinol and prescription retinoids?

Prescription is way stronger. Your regular retinol has to convert in your skin first, prescription stuff is already ready to go. So it works faster – like a month instead of 3 months. But it’s also harsher and you’ll get more irritation. If you have severe acne or deep wrinkles, go to a derm for the prescription. If you just want anti-aging stuff, drugstore retinol is fine and won’t destroy your face while you figure it out.

Does retinol thin my skin?

Nope, that’s BS. It actually makes your skin thicker. What happens is the dead skin layer on top gets thinner (which is why you feel sensitive), but underneath your real skin is getting thicker from all the collagen. Scientists have literally measured it. So yeah you might FEEL like your skin’s thinner at first but it’s not, you’re just getting rid of crusty dead cells. Your actual skin is getting stronger. The sensitive feeling goes away.

How Long Do Retinol Side Effects Last?

Usually, not forever. Thank God. Dryness, redness, tightness, and flaking tend to be worst in the first few weeks while your skin gets used to retinol, then gradually calm down. Breakouts are a bit more annoying because not every pimple that shows up after retinol is a “purge,” so I wouldn’t obsess over some magic four-week deadline.

What matters is the direction things are going in. A bit dry but slowly improving? Fine. Still painfully irritated, peeling like mad, or getting worse even after you’ve cut back? That’s your skin telling you to stop being stubborn and back off.

The Bottom Line

You can totally get the benefits of retinol without the side effects. Start small, moisturise, wear sunscreen and, if you’re experiencing breakouts, exfoliate with salicylic acid. Done.