I Never Heard My Mum Mention Retinol
I’m 46 this year, and I can honestly say hand on heart, I never heard my mum mention retinol when she was my age. My grandma certainly didn’t either. In fact, I don’t recall any women in my life ever obsessing over “vitamin A derivatives” or whether their skin was “turning over” fast enough. So when did this become the norm?
The truth is, retinol only really made its way into mainstream beauty in the last few decades and funny, isn’t it, how these little skincare “essentials” are always aimed squarely at women? As if we are all just one wrinkle away from complete irrelevance.
What Is Retinol, Anyway?
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, yes, the same vitamin found in carrots. But don’t get too excited scientists aren’t actually using carrots (because that would make sense, wouldn’t it?). What they’re using is retinol derived from fish liver oil or animal fat (of course it is), unless it’s clearly labelled vegan.
Retinol belongs to a family called retinoids, which were originally developed as prescription treatments for acne.
In the 1970s, doctors began prescribing a strong retinoid called tretinoin to help speed up cell turnover and reduce inflammation. It worked brilliantly for acne but something else started happening too: skin looked smoother, firmer, and more even. That’s when the beauty industry swooped in and repackaged it as the next big anti-ageing fix.
Sound Good… So What’s the Catch?
Like most things that sound too good to be true, retinol comes with a few asterisks.
Side effects are common. Retinol is really potent, and that doesn’t always sit well with your skin. Think: redness, flakiness, sun sensitivity. It can strip the skin, leaving it tight and shiny like your face is being held together by cling film. Dermatologists call this “retinisation”. I call it a red flag.
Even over the counter versions can cause irritation, and long-term use has been linked to skin thinning and increased sun sensitivity (the same kind of side effects you’d get from steroid cream). That’s a steep trade-off just to soften a few fine lines.
And here’s the kicker: these very side effects have created opportunities for the skincare industry to sell you even moreproducts. Retinol strips the skin’s natural oils and moisture barrier, so they sell you something to replace it. Enter: hyaluronic acid.
The Skin Cancer Question
This part doesn’t get talked about enough and it’s genuinely concerning. Some studies on animals suggest that retinoids applied to sun-damaged skin may increase the risk of tumours when exposed to UV rays.
The human research isn’t conclusive, but if there’s even a whisper of risk, shouldn’t we at least be aware of it?
At Olive & Joyce, I believe in transparency especially when something is being sold as “essential” for women’s skin. Glowing skin is lovely, but not at the expense of your long-term health in my opinion.
So, What’s the Natural Alternative?
Here’s where we step away from the lab bench and head into nature’s beauty cabinet.
Our answer to retinol? Carrot seed oil.
This gentle, plant-based oil does wonders for skin tone, radiance, and resilience without the peeling, redness, or fish fat.
Carrot seed oil is rich in beta-carotene (aka natural vitamin A), known for supporting cell renewal and improving skin texture.
And yes, before you ask it’s already in every single Olive & Joyce face cream.
The Bottom Line
If retinol works for you, great. I’m not here to tell you to bin it. But let’s be honest there are risks and a lot of its success is thanks to clever marketing, not miraculous results.
You don’t need to fight your face to love your skin. What you need is real, natural ingredients, a bit of patience, and products that support your skin not punish it.
And if the women before us managed without retinol, then maybe we can too.
Curious about the next skincare myth?
You might enjoy my blog on hyaluronic acid (and why Nana never needed that either):
Did Nana Need Hyaluronic Acid?
If you are still considering retinol, it might be because you’re looking for an anti-ageing solution.
At Olive & Joyce, our The Eternal skincare range is proudly pro-ageing. It’s made with natural carrot seed oil and turmeric oil, which offer the same skin-loving benefits as retinol and hyaluronic acid but in a gentler, plant-based way.