While retinol is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this doesn’t mean it’s free from side effects.

People who use retinols commonly experience dry and irritated skin, especially after using a new product. Other side effects may include:

• redness
• itchiness
• peeling skin

To lessen these side effects, try using your retinol every other night or every third night, and work your way up to using it nightly.

If you continue to experience skin irritation, you may want to talk with a dermatologist. Or better yet, talk with a dermatologist before you start using a retinol product to see if it’s a good idea for your skin.

Less than 10 percent of individuals who use retinols may experience more severe side effects, including:

• an acne flair up
• an eczema flares up
• discoloration of the skin
• photosensitivity to UV light
• blistering
• stinging
• swelling

Applying retinol 30 minutes after washing your face may also reduce skin irritation.

Your risk for side effects may be greater if you use more than one retinol-containing product at the same time. Read product labels carefully — especially if you’re using a combination of products labeled as “anti-aging” or for acne, which are more likely to contain retinol.

Due to the risk of sun sensitivity, retinols are best applied at night.