{"id":12279,"date":"2024-05-10T09:53:38","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T16:53:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/?p=12279"},"modified":"2025-06-02T08:45:14","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T15:45:14","slug":"is-retinol-good-for-acne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnected.murad.com\/is-retinol-good-for-acne\/","title":{"rendered":"You asked, we answered: Is retinol good for acne?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Feeling disheartened by acne treatment products? One ingredient could breathe new life into your acne skincare routine: retinol<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think every acne patient should be offered a retinoid,\u201d says dermatologist Leela Athalye of Orange Coast Dermatology in California. \u201cEspecially if the patient isn\u2019t pregnant or trying to be. Retinoids<\/a> are a multi-action solution in one step that help treat acne, prevent it, and even treat scars.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, Athalye and Allison Marks, Dr. Howard Murad\u2019s resident holistic esthetician and senior manager of education content help break down why retinoids<\/a> might be the missing yet mandatory complement to acne ingredients like salicylic acid<\/a>, azelaic acid and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do retinoids work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Retinoids (an umbrella term for all the derivatives) are a form of vitamin A that seemingly reverse the signs of aging\u2014including sagging and static wrinkles<\/a>. Fast fact: Retinol\u2019s original use was to treat and clear acne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Retinoids work by stimulating cell turnover\u2014this is when new, plump cells push up towards the skin\u2019s surface and cause dead skin cells to flake off.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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How does acne start?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Acneic skin<\/a> is triggered by a disruption in the natural cell turnover process (aka, follicular hyperkeratinization, or an overproduction of skin cells near the top of the pore). Acneic skin also experiences seborrhea (excessive sebum production).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When overproduced dead skin cells and oils combine, they create a microscopic pouch called a microcomedone. Every pimple starts as a microcomedone long before that whitehead, blackhead, pustule or cystic acne<\/a> makes its unwelcome appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the microcomedone forms, the pore thickens and the opening narrows, and inflammation begins. Now, dead skin cells and oils are trapped and can\u2019t reach the skin\u2019s surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do retinoids work on acne?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Retinol works on acneic skin by stimulating cell turnover. By encouraging new cells to the surface, dead skin cells slough off before they can get trapped in the pore\u2014stopping acne before it can start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does retinol help acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The short answer: Yes! Scientific data shows that consistent use of retinoids: <\/p>\n\n\n\n