With thousands of serums and creams all promising the fountain of youth in a jar, it can be difficult to decode what truly works and what’s just marketing jargon. But one miracle ingredient, retinol, has been repeatedly proven to reduce unwanted signs of skin aging and damage. While you may have heard of it, we investigate just how powerful this ingredient is and why you need it in your medicine cabinet, stat.

What is retinol? In short, retinol is a type of over-the-counter retinoid that is derived from Vitamin A and has the power to restore skin’s vitality. Multi-faceted, this potent ingredient has long been praised for its ability to prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, brighten skin, and treat some types of inflammation.

What are the benefits of using retinol? Licensed esthetician and makeup artist Erin Zieglmeier says, “It’s an incredible ingredient for aiding cell turnover renewal and skin resurfacing. It also stimulates collagen production, which helps to combat fine lines and wrinkles, as well as repair skin’s elasticity –– something we tend to lose as we age.” And if you’re prone to acne flare-ups, you might be glad to learn that retinol is also a prime treatment solution. Zieglmeier says, “Retinol has the ability to reduce acne and unclog pores, which allows other skincare products to treat the skin more effectively. ”

Where can I find retinol? While some forms of retinoids, such as tretinoin, require a prescription, others can be more accessibly (and sometimes more affordably) found. So, if you want to skip the unnecessary trip to your dermatologist’s office, say hello to our Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum. Formulated to preserve skin’s youthful features, its potent blend of retinoids make it a stellar choice for prevention and treatment of skin damage and aging.

Unlike other retinol treatments, the Outcrease Retinol Trifecta Serum offers a blend of skin-transformative retinoids with unparalleled efficacy, including Retinyl Palmitate and Retinyl Acetate, retinol’s gentler, yet still effective siblings. Its unique formulation targets the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage, while minimizing risks of skin irritation for a treatment that’s both powerful and gentle.

While other treatments boast one source of Retinol, Dermelect Outcrease Trifecta Retinol Serum is successfully formulated with three types of Retinol to effectively target the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, thick skin and sun damage.

Can I use retinol for prevention purposes? If you’ve yet to see any unwanted signs of aging, retinol can still be used as a precautionary measure. Zieglmeier says, “Retinol is an antioxidant, so it helps to protect skin and fight free radical damage associated with external pollutants and UV exposure that can be damaging and irritating.”

How should I care for skin while using retinol? Always give your skin enough time to absorb retinol before continuing to the next step in your skincare routine. Due to its skin-renewing nature, you should be sure to adequately moisturize after using it, regardless of your skin type. Zieglmeier advises to not leave it out from your evening skincare regimen for optimal results. She says, “Evening use is important because skin is already hard at work repairing cell damage while you rest. Retinol just aids this natural process.”

It’s also important to never skip the SPF, as its absence is counterintuitive to the reason you’d use retinol in the first place. “The majority of fine lines and wrinkles are caused by the sun, so sun protection is key. Retinol also provides protection from harmful environmental factors, like sun exposure, as well as prevention of long-term and short-term sun damage.” Finally, it’s recommended to hit pause or space out any waxing treatments and harsh exfoliants, while using this skincare staple, as retinol can increase the sensitivity of your skin, according to Zieglmeier.

Have you used retinol before? How did it change your skin? Let us know in the comments below!