5 Retinol Myths Experts Want You to Stop Believing
NewBeauty Facebook Pinterest Instagram Youtube find a doctor Face Adult Acne Antioxidants Anti-Aging Celebrity Chronic Skin Conditions Eye Hydration Hyperpigmentation Makeup View All Eyebrows Eye Color Foundation Fragrance Lip Color Makeovers Male Skin Care Peels Pre-Event Prep Retinoids Sensitive Skin Skin Care Skin Health Smile Sun Care Treatments Fillers Microneedling Post-Procedure Skin Care Neurotoxins Regenerative Aesthetics Skin Lifting Body Body Sculpting Breasts Butts Cellulite Hair Removal Hands + Nails Legs Pregnancy Find a Doctor Hair Bond Repair Celebrity Dry Hair Frizzy Hair Gray Hair Hair Color Hair Growth Hair Repair Scalp Health Styling + Tips Awards NB100 Awards 15th Annual Beauty Awards 2025 NewBeauty Readers’ Choice Awards Shopping Gift Guides Product Reviews NewBeauty Storefront Wellness Fitness GLP-1s Health Menopause About Us TESTTUBE Search for: Search HomeFaceSkin CareActive Ingredients 5 Retinol Myths Experts Want You to Stop Believing Let's set the record straight. Liz Ritter Published: Mar 23, 2026 Photo Credits: Shutterstock | Model Used for Illustrative Purpose Only Retinol may be the gold standard of skin care, but its nuances—especially in formulation—are often misunderstood. For clarity, Dallas dermatologist Elizabeth Houshmand, MD offers a simple breakdown: “Retinal (retinaldehyde) and retinoic acid (tretinoin) are all types of retinoids. Retinol is the most common over-the-counter form and, as the alcohol form of vitamin A, requires two conversion steps in the skin to become the active form (retinoic acid). Retinal is one step away from conversion to retinoic acid, making it more potent and faster-acting than retinol.” That increased potency can mean quicker results but also a higher risk of irritation, making a low-and-slow approach essential. That’s also where a lot of the confusion around retinol begins. From how it works to how it’s used, there’s no shortage of misconceptions. Some are rooted in outdated information, while others come down to differences in formulation.…