If you’ve ever typed “Should I use retinol?” into Google, you’ve probably seen two extremes: glowing “miracle ingredient” reviews or horror stories of flaking and redness.
Here’s the truth: retinol isn’t scary. In fact, it’s one of the most loved skincare ingredients because Vitamin A (retinol’s family) is naturally found in our skin already. Our bodies recognise it, which is why retinol works so beautifully to retrain the skin to behave younger, clearer, and smoother.
We’re a mother–daughter duo with over 30 years of hands-on skin experience from our clinic in the Cotswolds, and we both use retinol oil, even though our skin types couldn’t be more different. (Mum = psoriasis-prone, sensitive, ageing skin. Daughter = breakout-prone, oily, with post-acne marks.)
Here’s everything you need to know about why retinol oil is multifunctional, how to introduce it safely, and why our Retinol Oil 0.3 is gentle but powerful.
When we see bumps and breakouts, most of us assume it’s acne—but what if it’s not? Sensitive skin isn’t always red and sore; sometimes, it mimics acne, leading people to treat it incorrectly. Instead of helping, harsh exfoliants, acids, and over-cleansing can damage your skin barrier, making things worse.