{"title":"Retinol","entity_type":"Ingredient","slug":"retinol","canonical_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/retinol","dates":{"date_modified":"2026-05-17","date_reviewed":"2026-05-17"},"mcp_eligible":true,"evidence_sources":[{"title":"AAD — Retinoid or retinol?","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-retinoid-or-retinol","original_source_url":"https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/retinoid-retinol","source_type":"dermatology_reference"},{"title":"DermNet NZ — Topical retinoids","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-topical-retinoids","original_source_url":"https://dermnetnz.org/topics/topical-retinoids","source_type":"medical_reference"}],"product_fact_sources":[{"title":"CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum — Official Product Page","canonical_citation_url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-cerave-resurfacing-retinol-serum","original_source_url":"https://www.cerave.com/skincare/facial-serums/resurfacing-retinol-serum","source_type":"official_product_page"}],"related_entities":[{"title":"AAD — Retinoid or retinol?","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-retinoid-or-retinol"},{"title":"DermNet NZ — Topical retinoids","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-topical-retinoids"},{"title":"CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum — Official Product Page","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-cerave-resurfacing-retinol-serum"},{"title":"Fine Lines","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/fine-lines"},{"title":"Wrinkles","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/wrinkles"},{"title":"Sun Damage","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/sun-damage"},{"title":"Facial Hyperpigmentation","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/facial-hyperpigmentation"},{"title":"Early Wrinkle Prevention","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/early-wrinkle-prevention"},{"title":"CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/cerave-resurfacing-retinol-serum"},{"title":"Retinoid Dermatitis","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/side-effects/retinoid-dermatitis"},{"title":"Over-exfoliation Irritation","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/side-effects/over-exfoliation-irritation"}],"body_sections":[{"heading":"Quick Summary","paragraphs":["Retinol is an over-the-counter vitamin A ingredient used in cosmetic skincare for smoother-looking texture, fine-line appearance, and more even-looking tone. It can be useful, but it is also one of the ingredients most likely to cause dryness, peeling, stinging, or irritation during the adjustment period."]},{"heading":"What It Is","paragraphs":["Retinol is part of the broader vitamin A family used in skincare. It is not the same as prescription tretinoin, and this page does not give prescription-retinoid protocols. In consumer routines, retinol is usually introduced slowly because the skin often needs time to adapt."]}],"side_effects":[{"title":"Retinoid Dermatitis","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/side-effects/retinoid-dermatitis"},{"title":"Over-exfoliation Irritation","url":"https://skinknowledgebase.com/side-effects/over-exfoliation-irritation"}]}