How can you tell that Retinol is working?
The signs to look for, week by week.
- Weeks 1–2Your skin adjusts
- Weeks 2–4Smoother texture
- Weeks 6–8Fine lines start to soften
- Month 3+Firmer, clearer skin
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Written by Jasmin | Years of skincare know-how & all things Dermaworks
5 min read
Quick answer
The first sign retinol is working is softer, smoother skin, usually within two to four weeks. Then come fewer breakouts, smaller-looking pores and a more even tone, and from around six to eight weeks, fine lines start to soften. A little dryness or flaking in the first couple of weeks is normal, and a sign your skin is renewing itself.
Retinol is the anti-ageing powerhouse, and ours is clinically proven to increase collagen production by up to 5x, helping tackle fine lines, wrinkles, rough texture and uneven-looking skin. So if you've started using retinol, you'll want to know when you'll see the difference. Once it gets going, you'll see it and feel it. The first sign is softer, smoother skin within two to four weeks. Then come fewer breakouts, smaller-looking pores and a more even tone, and from around six to eight weeks, fine lines start to soften. A little dryness or flaking in the first couple of weeks is normal too, and it's actually a sign your skin is renewing itself. Here's exactly what to look forward to, week by week.
Week by week: what's happening in your skin
Weeks 1–2: your skin wakes up
Retinol gets straight to work, speeding up your skin's natural renewal. You might notice a little dryness, some light flaking or a touch of redness. Don't panic: this is your skin clearing out the old to make way for the new, and it settles within a few days. Most people tolerate it really well, but if you're new to retinol or have very sensitive skin, start every other night and follow with hyaluronic acid and moisturiser to keep your skin comfortable.
Weeks 2–4: the first wow moment
Run your fingertips across your cheek and you'll feel it: softer, smoother skin. You'll wake up looking fresher, and your make-up will glide on instead of clinging to rough patches. This is the moment most people realise it's working.
Weeks 4–6: clearer, brighter, more even
That close-up in the mirror starts getting kinder. Pores look tighter, breakouts calm down, and dark spots and post-blemish marks begin to fade. Your skin looks clearer and more even, day after day.
Weeks 6–8: fine lines start to soften
This is the one you've been waiting for. Those fine lines around your eyes and mouth start to look softer and less noticeable, and your skin looks firmer and more youthful. Don't be surprised if someone asks what you've changed.
Month 3 and beyond: your best skin yet
Keep going and it keeps getting better. With nightly use, skin looks firmer, smoother and more radiant month after month. Retinol is a long game, and it's one that really pays off.
Start your timeline with 2.5% Retinol Serum
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Real results
★★★★★“This retinol serum is incredible – it absorbs into the skin beautifully, and in the morning your skin looks more refreshed, more hydrated and more radiant.”
Ricia, Dermaworks customer
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Signs your retinol is working
Your skin feels softer and smoother. Rough patches melt away and your skin feels beautifully smooth to the touch. It's the first and most reliable sign.
You've got your glow back. Fresh new skin reflects light better, so your complexion looks brighter, healthier and more awake.
Your pores look smaller. Clearer, firmer skin makes pores look tighter and more refined, especially on your nose and cheeks.
You're getting fewer breakouts. Retinol helps keep pores clear, so spots appear less often.
Your tone looks more even. Dark spots, sun spots and post-blemish marks fade, so you can reach for less concealer.
Fine lines look softer. From around six to eight weeks, lines and creases look smoother and less pronounced. This is the change people notice most.
Is flaking a sign retinol is working?
Often, yes, and it's nothing to worry about. A little dryness or flaking in the first couple of weeks shows retinol is speeding up your skin's renewal. Some people also get a short "purge", a few extra spots as clogged pores clear out, which settles within a few weeks and leaves skin clearer than before. What you shouldn't have is persistent stinging, burning or raw skin. If that happens, simply cut back to every second or third night and focus on hydration until your skin feels comfortable again.
We created our retinol to be a formula we'd be proud to use ourselves every evening, and every ingredient has a purpose: botanical hyaluronic acid to hydrate, organic aloe vera to soothe and vitamin E to protect, so your skin stays comfortable while it transforms.
Real results
Real results from real customers
I love the natural ingredients. I would give this serum 10/10 and would highly recommend to all skin types.
HanaVerified buyer
I absolutely love this product. I’ve been using it every 3 days in the evening for the last month and the difference it’s made to my skin is crazy.
Max’s LookVerified buyer
Great product. It's has been only 2 weeks but already seen improvement on my skin... definitely clearer.
M. Alves De AlmadaVerified buyer
How to get faster, better results from retinol
- Be consistent. Build up to every night, and stick with it. This is where retinol really earns its place: the longer you use it, the better your skin looks.
- Apply it to clean, dry skin. Smooth a few drops of our 2.5% Retinol Night Serum over your face, neck, décolletage and the backs of your hands.
- Hydrate after. Follow with our Hyaluronic Acid Serum and a moisturiser such as Pure Radiance or our Men's Daily Moisturiser for plump, comfortable skin.
- Wear SPF every morning. Retinol makes skin more sensitive to the sun, and protecting it protects your results.
- Add vitamin C in the morning. Our 20% Vitamin C Serum brightens and protects by day while retinol renews by night. Our 3 Serum Set gives you all three serums in one box.
Not seeing results yet?
Have you given it long enough? Smoother skin shows in weeks, but fine lines take two months or more. Take a photo on day one and compare at week eight. You'll be amazed.
Are you using it often enough? Once your skin has adjusted, retinol works best every night.
Do you know the strength? If your current serum doesn't tell you how much retinol it contains, it may be too weak to make a visible difference. Ours is a high-strength 2.5%, clinically proven to increase collagen production by up to 5x.
Are you wearing SPF? Without it, sun damage can undo all your hard work.
How many bottles will you need?
One 30ml bottle of our 2.5% Retinol Night Serum lasts around 4–6 weeks. To reach the eight-week mark, when fine lines really start to soften, most people need two bottles, and three for the full three-month transformation. Save 10% when you buy two bottles or 15% when you buy three. We're incredibly proud of this formula. At £14.95 a bottle, rated 4.6 out of 5 by our customers and backed by our 30-day money-back guarantee, there's no risk in seeing the difference for yourself.
FAQs
Your questions, answered
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