The Weird Reason Retinol May Make Your Wrinkles Look Worse

If you have been prescribed a retinol or picked up an over-the-counter product to fix your skin issues and help reverse signs of aging, you may be surprised when you suddenly notice your wrinkles looking worse. If this has happened to you, it's not just in your head. According to Dr. Bollmann, Owner and CEO of Bare Skin Care, retinol can, in fact, make your wrinkles look worse — but only temporarily. 

There are a few reasons this happens. The first is that, if you have never used retinol before, it can make your skin dry initially. This lack of hydration can cause wrinkles to appear larger. But after consistent use, your skin will get used to the product and the lines will likely disappear.

Retinol is an exfoliant, so if it is overused it can cause the skin to thin, per Devika Icecreamwala, M.D., founder of Icecreamwala Dermatology (via InStyle). That thinning of the epidermis will increase the appearance of wrinkles. Time in the sun and using the wrong products can also contribute to lines appearing while using retinol. But, there are things you can do to avoid this.