6 Things You Need to Know About Retinol

You've heard retinol is great at fighting wrinkles, but did you know it could also prevent acne and shrink pores? We asked Joshua Zeichner, MD, dermatologist and director of cosmetic research at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, to tell us everything we need to know about the power player ingredient.

It reduces your pores.

While you can't technically shrink your pores (thanks, genetics), retinol can make them appear smaller. See, dead skin cells tend to accumulate around your pores, making them look larger than they actually are. Retinol helps to slough off the dead skin, allowing your pores to breath and preventing dirt and makeup from getting trapped inside.