Posted on 2026/07/01 by Maria Galland Paris

What is retinol used for?

Retinol is an excellent active ingredient to include in your skincare ritual. Nevertheless, a few precautions are necessary to take full advantage of its benefits.

Key Takeaways

Retinol boosts cell renewal and collagen production, helping reduce visible signs of aging, dark spots, uneven skin tone, and enlarged pores.
Starting with gentler retinol derivatives, such as retinyl palmitate, helps your skin adapt while supporting barrier function and minimizing irritation.
Apply retinol in the evening and wear broad-spectrum SPF daily, regardless of the season, to help protect your skin and maximize results.

What is retinol used for?

Retinol belongs to the retinoid family, which are derivatives of vitamin A naturally present in our bodies.

It has multiple proven benefits:

Promotes cell renewal.
Stimulates production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin.
In just three months, it reduces signs of skin slackening and wrinkle formation, giving skin a smooth, supple, plump appearance.
Its lightly exfoliating action regulates melanin production, the cause of brown spots.
Its antioxidant virtues help protect the skin from external aggression and improve skin tone.
It acts on the skin's overall quality by tightening pores and smoothing skin texture, and erases irregularities such as imperfections.

With retinol, skin is evened out and regains its radiance. This is only if you choose and use it well.

Which form of retinol choose?

There are several forms of retinol, not all of whose performance has been scientifically measured. Maria Galland Paris has chosen retinyl palmitate, a derivative that has been tested and approved by dermatologists and is gentler on the skin.

The use of this form of retinol in our skin-friendly formulas means that all skin types can gradually become accustomed to this high-performance active ingredient. Our priority is to ensure that our formulas are gentle and respectful of your skin. So you can enjoy the full benefits of retinol while preserving your skin barrier.

What precautions should I take with retinol?

Avoid combining it with vitamin C, as this may cause irritation. Although not photosensitizing, retinol has an exfoliating action on the skin, making it more sensitive to the sun.

The right reflex? Apply your retinol-based skin care product in the evening, and don't forget your sun protection during the day, summer or winter. Our recommendation: use SPF-containing products from the CELLULAR'SUN and UNI'PERFECT collections. It's essential for beautiful, healthy-looking skin.

Discover our suncare

Frequently Asked Questions about retinol

1. What is retinol?

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that boosts cell turnover, helping to improve skin texture, fine lines, and acne. It’s one of the most studied anti-aging skincare ingredients.

2. How often should you use retinol?

Start 2–3 times per week at night, then gradually increase frequency as your skin builds tolerance. Always apply sunscreen in the morning.

3. When do results from retinol appear?

Visible improvements typically show after 4–12 weeks of consistent use, depending on skin type and product strength. Temporary dryness or irritation can occur at the beginning.