Good Day, Lykkers! Retinol was one of those skincare ingredients I kept hearing about everywhere, but I was honestly a little nervous to try it.

People talk about smoother-looking skin, collagen support, and fading the appearance of pigmentation, but there’s also the possibility of dryness and irritation when you start too quickly. I’ve been using retinol for around six months now, and I’ve learned that starting slowly makes the whole experience much easier.

1. Mian Retinal Neon Serum

This was one of the first retinal products I tried, and I really liked having it in my evening routine. The texture feels comfortable on my skin, so adding it between my cleanser and moisturizer doesn’t feel like a complicated extra step. I started with a small amount rather than going straight in with too much product. Giving my skin time to adjust made me much more comfortable with using a retinoid consistently.

2. Innisfree Retinol Cica Serum

Innisfree Retinol Cica Serum became another formula I enjoyed when I wanted something that felt a little more soothing. The cica-focused formula makes it appealing for anyone who worries about their skin feeling uncomfortable while introducing retinol. I still keep my routine simple on nights when I use it, because adding too many strong products at once can be a recipe for irritation. For me, consistency matters much more than trying to rush through the process.

Starting retinol felt much less intimidating once I stopped treating it like a race. A simple routine, a slow introduction, plenty of moisture, and daily sun protection have made the process feel far more manageable. Six months in, I’m glad I took my time rather than trying to use a stronger routine from day one.