How to Tell If Your Retinol Is Working (and When to Switch If It’s Not)
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Updated: Sep 30, 2026 Mar 27, 2024
We may earn commission from links on this page. Each product featured has been vetted and chosen by our editors. Retinol is dubbed the gold-standard ingredient for signs of aging, acne and more, but it’s also known to be irritating. If that shiny new bottle of retinol backfires and wreaks havoc on your skin, it may be time to switch to another formula. Not all products work for everyone, and sometimes regular purging can turn into serious irritation overnight.