The Skin Nerd: Want to start using retinol? We debunk six myths about vitamin A

Master your (vitamin) A game and healthier skin will follow

Skin Nerd: Recently named as 2022’s biggest beauty trend, retinol accumulated over 1.2 billion views on TikTok 9.2 million Google searches last year.

Recently named as 2022’s biggest beauty trend, retinol accumulated over 1.2 billion views on Tiktok and 9.2m Google searches last year — a great achievement for an ingredient that is anything but new. The most evidence-supported topical ingredient for reducing the visible signs of ageing, sales of retinols in department stores and specialty retailers increased 27% last year and yet, despite their rising popularity, many still find retinols confusing and hard to use.

Retinoids can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where liver (which contains retinoids) was used to treat night blindness. Retinoids were then introduced into the cosmetics industry via photoaging treatments over two decades ago. Now, retinol is a powerful rockstar ingredient that promises skin results aplenty if you start slow and steady. A topical derivative of vitamin A, retinol has been clinically proven to stimulate the fibroblast cells, which are responsible for collagen, hydration and cellular turnover — helping the skin to look more youthful.