Here's why people are ditching retinol - and what to use instead

Overusing retinol can lead to peeling, irritation, and excessive dryness

Unfortunately, retinol isn’t for everyone

Everybody seems to want to talk about retinol. Dermatologists recommend it to patients; influencers dedicate entire videos to it and TikTokers repeatedly make it go viral.

There’s good reason for this. When used correctly, retinol can be a game-changer. It can treat sun-related damage like dark spots and fine lines, as well as smooth out skin texture and kick-start collagen production. But, unfortunately, retinol isn’t for everyone; high concentrations can irritate the skin barrier, leaving skin scaly, red and irritated. And it’s not recommended for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.