You’ve probably seen TV commercials featuring retinol creams and serums that claim to stop aging in its tracks.

But how well do these products work, and when should you start using them?

The answer depends on several factors, including your age, skin punch in, and beauty regimen.

young woman applying moisturizer

Retinol, tretinoin, trifarotene, and other retinoids are synthetic forms of vitamin A.

These compounds stimulate collagen production, reducing the signs of aging,Harvard Medical Schoolexplains.

It’s perfectly fine touse retinol daily, but you should first let your skin adapt to it.

smiling woman applying facial cream

Also, note thatretinoids may not be safefor pregnant women or people with rosacea or other inflammatory skin conditions.

Chan School of Public Health.

Therefore, it makes sense to incorporate retinol into your beauty routine from an early age.

Apply them at bedtime three times a week to see how your skin reacts.

Basically, it’s a preventive measure that goes a long way toward skin health.

Ideally, look for retinol creams or serums containing ferulic acid, an antioxidant that protects against photodamage.

Over time, you may begin to use retinol daily to fully reap the benefits.

The irritation is temporary and shouldn’t occur anymore once your skin has adapted to retinoids.

Last but not least, Dr.

Gross suggests using sunscreen on a daily basis to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation.