{"id":6644,"date":"2023-04-27T15:13:39","date_gmt":"2023-04-27T13:13:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/?page_id=6644"},"modified":"2026-05-30T22:31:42","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T20:31:42","slug":"retinol-your-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/retinol-your-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Retinol dangerous?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"bd-brand\"><style>\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(260px,1fr));gap:16px;margin-top:8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card{display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;padding:24px 26px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.6);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.95);border-radius:22px;backdrop-filter:blur(20px);text-decoration:none;transition:transform 0.25s ease,box-shadow 0.25s ease;box-shadow:0 10px 40px rgba(42,36,56,0.04)}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card:hover{transform:translateY(-4px);box-shadow:0 22px 55px rgba(42,36,56,0.1)}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card-tag{font-family:var(--bd-sans);font-size:11px;font-weight:600;color:var(--bd-accent);letter-spacing:0.06em;text-transform:uppercase}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card h3{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-weight:500;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;color:var(--bd-ink);letter-spacing:-0.01em;margin:0}\n.bd-brand .bd-hub-card-arrow{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-style:italic;font-size:14px;color:var(--bd-accent);margin-top:auto;padding-top:4px}\n.bd-brand .bd-video-wrap{position:relative;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;border-radius:22px;overflow:hidden;box-shadow:0 22px 55px rgba(42,36,56,0.12);margin-top:8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-video-wrap iframe{position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(240px,1fr));gap:16px;margin-top:8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-card{padding:26px 28px;background:rgba(255,255,255,0.6);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.95);border-radius:22px;backdrop-filter:blur(20px);box-shadow:0 10px 40px rgba(42,36,56,0.04)}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-card .bd-prob-num{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-style:italic;font-size:26px;color:var(--bd-accent);line-height:1}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-card h4{font-family:var(--bd-serif);font-weight:500;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;color:var(--bd-ink);letter-spacing:-0.01em;margin:10px 0 8px}\n.bd-brand .bd-prob-card p{font-family:var(--bd-sans);font-size:14.5px;line-height:1.6;color:var(--bd-ink-soft,#5a5560);margin:0}\n.bd-brand>p:empty{display:none!important}\n.bd-brand>p{margin:0!important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-section{padding:48px 0 !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-hero{padding-bottom:8px !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-hero .bd-hero-meta{margin-bottom:0 !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-dark{margin-top:24px !important;margin-bottom:24px !important}\nhtml body .bd-brand .bd-final{padding-top:48px !important;padding-bottom:48px !important;margin-top:0 !important}\n@media (max-width:900px){html body .bd-brand .bd-section{padding:36px 0 !important}html body .bd-brand .bd-hero{padding-top:56px !important}html body .bd-brand .bd-eyebrow{margin-top:8px}}\n<\/style><section class=\"bd-hero\" style=\"padding-bottom:8px !important;padding-top:56px !important\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-eyebrow\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/\" style=\"color:inherit;text-decoration:none\">Guide skincare - Retinol<\/a><\/span><h1>Retinol - <em>answers to your most frequently asked questions<\/em> according to a doctor and analyses by BeautyDecoders.<\/h1><p class=\"bd-hero-sub\">Retinol always raises the same questions: what's the difference with retinoids, does it really slim the skin, does it melt away facial fat, how do you get started, how long before you see results? No, retinol does not slim the skin over the long term, nor does it melt fat in humans. Start gradually, every third evening, and the first effects can be seen in one to three months. Here are the detailed answers.<\/p><div class=\"bd-hero-meta\"><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Format<\/span><strong>Frequently asked questions - 7 answers<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Assets<\/span><strong>Retinol &amp; retinoids (vitamin A)<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"bd-hero-meta-item\"><span>Approach<\/span><strong>Independent cosmetic analysis<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">On video<\/span><h2>The questions that <em>come back again and again<\/em><\/h2><p class=\"bd-lead\">Retinol is the benchmark anti-aging active ingredient, studied for decades, first for acne and then for anti-aging. Certain questions keep cropping up - here are the answers, point by point. For the basics on this active ingredient, see the complete guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/\">retinol<\/a>.<\/p><div class=\"bd-video-wrap\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vmCe81AJrB0\" title=\"Retinol: frequently asked questions - BeautyDecoded\" loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== Q1 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Question 01<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">What's the difference between retinol <em>and retinoids<\/em> ?<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">Retinoids are a family of molecules derived from vitamin A. From the weakest to the most powerful: retinol esters convert to retinol, which converts to retinal, which in turn converts to retinoic acid. The latter is the only active form: the most potent, but only available by prescription (tretinoin), and few people can tolerate it. All other forms must undergo one or more transformations to reach this structure and take effect.<\/p><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">Retinol esters are the gateway: they require three transformations and are 10 to 20 times less potent than retinoic acid. They are marketed as \u00abpro-retinol\u00bb, emphasizing their tolerability without mentioning their low efficacy. They remain an option for skin that cannot tolerate retinol, or for fragile areas (eye contour, neck). In the INCI list, they are recognized as retinol propionate, palmitate or acetate. Granactive retinol, on the other hand, may act more directly, making it more effective than esters but less irritating than retinol.<\/p><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">If the skin barrier is healthy, we can start directly with retinol: the most famous retinoid, with an excellent efficacy-tolerance ratio, provided it is introduced gradually. It requires two transformations to reach the retinoic acid stage. Retinal, on the other hand, requires only one, and therefore acts more quickly. But beware: a retinal product is not necessarily more powerful than a retinol serum, depending on concentration.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== Q2 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Question 02<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">What is retinol used for and <em>is it effective<\/em> ?<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">Yes, retinol is effective: dozens of clinical studies, with follow-ups ranging from one month to several years, demonstrate this. It's the reference active ingredient for wrinkles, fine lines, brown spots and post-acne marques, and a good option for blemishes and excess sebum. Its three main actions:<\/p><div class=\"bd-prob-grid\"><div class=\"bd-prob-card\"><div class=\"bd-prob-num\">01<\/div><h4>Anti-aging<\/h4><p>It stimulates the synthesis of collagen (types 1 and 3), elastin and hyaluronic acid, densifies the dermis and epidermis, and prevents and reduces fine lines.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bd-prob-card\"><div class=\"bd-prob-num\">02<\/div><h4>Anti-imperfections<\/h4><p>It accelerates cell renewal, unclogs pores, limits hyperkeratinization, regulates sebum and fights acne bacteria, preventing blackheads, blackheads and pimples.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"bd-prob-card\"><div class=\"bd-prob-num\">03<\/div><h4>Anti-stain<\/h4><p>It reduces pigment production via tyrosinase, and dissolves pigment clusters on the epidermal surface more quickly.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== Q3 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Question 03<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Does retinol <em>slims skin<\/em> ?<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">A misconception. The epidermis does indeed become thinner during the tolerance phase, due to accelerated cell renewal. But in the long term, by boosting collagen and elastin production, retinol stimulates overall skin growth: the dermis redensifies and the epidermis plumps up. The final effect is therefore the opposite of slimming.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== Q4 ===== --><section class=\"bd-dark\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Question 04<\/span><h2>Does retinol destroy <em>facial fat<\/em> ?<\/h2><p>This question is coming up again and again. Some in vitro studies show that an immature fat cell (pre-adipocyte) has difficulty maturing if exposed to retinoids. But rest assured: no human study has shown that retinol leads to fat melting.<\/p><div class=\"bd-dark-quote\"><strong>Chronic inflammation is the real issue<\/strong><p>What can cause melting is chronic inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, the first cause of which is sun exposure, and the second, an overly aggressive routine that constantly irritates the skin. The important word is chronic: a little exfoliation or retinol two or three times a year is no problem. If you're having trouble with retinol, every other evening is enough to remain highly effective.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== Q5 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Question 05<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">How to <em>begin<\/em> with retinol?<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">The most common mistake is to start off too strong. Dosage, frequency and type of retinoid depend on skin type, condition and tolerance. Patience and progress are the watchwords. If the skin barrier is damaged, don't start: repair it first, then go very gradually. Start with a concentration of 0.2 or 0.3 % (aqueous formula for normal to oily skin, richer for dry skin). If all goes well, test 0.5 %, then 1 % after a few months.<\/p><div class=\"bd-alert bd-alert-info\"><span class=\"bd-alert-icon\">\ud83d\udcc5<\/span><div>Start-up schedule: every third evening for the first 15 days; if the skin tolerates it, every other evening; after 6 weeks, daily application is possible (but every other evening is still fine). In the event of tightness, overheating or flaking, slow down and reinforce the barrier with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/niacinamide\/\">niacinamide<\/a> and a suitable moisturizer. Reactive skin: sandwich method (cream, retinol, cream).<\/div><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">Practical detail: retinol is unstable in pipette bottles and can degrade with use, giving the illusion of good tolerance when it is no longer active. Prefer hermetically sealed pump bottles, or discard the serum after 3 months. Finally, avoid starting in summer: retinol is photosensitizing, and a daily SPF 50 is essential. For more details, see the guide <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/retinol-how-to-get-started\/\">how to get started with retinol<\/a>.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== Q6 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Question 06<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">Can I get botox, injections or <em>laser hair removal<\/em> ?<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">On healthy skin that tolerates retinol perfectly, there's no need to stop it before botox or hyaluronic acid injections. For laser hair removal, on the other hand, it's better to be cautious: stop retinol 3 to 4 days beforehand, on perfectly healthy, non-irritated skin. In all cases, these procedures require a medical consultation.<\/p><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== Q7 ===== --><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-phase-header\"><div class=\"bd-phase-num\">Question 07<\/div><h3 class=\"bd-phase-title\">How long will it take <em>view results<\/em> ?<\/h3><\/div><p class=\"bd-phase-sub\">Since cell renewal takes 30 days, the first effects on texture, blemishes and imperfections appear between one and three months. Most studies deliver their conclusions after two to three months. Anti-ageing performance, on the other hand, is really visible between 6 months and a year: take a photo before you start and another at six months, because the results are subtle on a day-to-day basis but obvious over time.<\/p><div class=\"bd-alert bd-alert-info\"><span class=\"bd-alert-icon\">\u26a0<\/span><div>There may be a worsening before improvement, which is normal. Retinol initially dries out the skin, which can accentuate the appearance of wrinkles at first, particularly around the eyes. In the case of acne, we sometimes observe a \u00abpurge\u00bb (lesions rise before diminishing), which can last a month. And if spots seem to get worse, it's because accelerated renewal temporarily makes the pigments already present more visible.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><!-- ===== CTA APP (bd-final standard) ===== --><section class=\"bd-final\" style=\"padding-top:48px !important;margin-top:0 !important\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><div class=\"bd-final-inner\"><div class=\"bd-section-label\">Further information<\/div><h2>Find the right retinol for <em>your skin profile<\/em>.<\/h2><p>The BeautyDecoded application lets you scan any cosmetic product to visualize its suitability for your skin type and needs, based on INCI analysis.<\/p><div class=\"bd-cta-wrap\" style=\"justify-content: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/beautydecoded.go.link\/88eZ2\" class=\"bd-cta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Discover BeautyDecoded<\/a><\/div><div class=\"bd-cta-meta\" style=\"margin-top: 16px;\">Application available on iOS and Android<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"bd-section\"><div class=\"bd-wrap\"><span class=\"bd-section-label\">Further information<\/span><h2>Others <em>associated guides<\/em><\/h2><div class=\"bd-hub-grid\"><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Ingredient<\/span><h3>The complete retinol guide<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/best-retinol-serum\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Comparison<\/span><h3>The best retinol serums<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/retinol\/retinol-how-to-get-started\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Guide<\/span><h3>How to get started with retinol<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><a class=\"bd-hub-card\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/niacinamide\/\"><span class=\"bd-hub-card-tag\">Ingredient<\/span><h3>Niacinamide<\/h3><span class=\"bd-hub-card-arrow\">Read the guide \u2192<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/section><div class=\"bd-sig\"><strong>Dr Sylvain David<\/strong><span>Plastic and aesthetic surgeon - Founder of BeautyDecoded<\/span><\/div><div class=\"bd-disclaimer\"><p>Information for educational purposes only. It does not replace a medical consultation and must be adapted to each individual. Retinol gradually penetrates a healthy skin barrier, requiring daily sun protection. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Medical procedures such as botox, injections and laser hair removal require specialized consultation and prior advice. In case of skin pathology or doubt, dermatological advice is recommended. A tolerance test should be carried out before using the product for the first time.<\/p><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Guide skincare - Retinol Retinol - answers to your most frequently asked questions from a doctor and BeautyDecoders analyses. Retinol always raises the same questions: what's the difference with retinoids, does it really slim the skin, does it melt away facial fat, how do you get started, how long does it take to see results? No,...<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":327,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"enable","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6644","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Beautydecoded","author_link":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/author\/sylvaindavid\/"},"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6644","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6644"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6644\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74564,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6644\/revisions\/74564"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beautydecoded.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6644"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}