Retinol Serum – Effects, Application & Which One Is Suitable for Beginners and Professionals
Here, you will learn how retinol works, how to use it correctly, and which retinol serum for the face and eye area makes sense for your skin – from a gentle introduction to a high-performance, concentrated formula.
What Is Retinol?
Retinol is a fat-soluble vitamin A derivative and belongs to the group of so-called retinoids. From a chemical perspective, it is an active form of vitamin A that is involved in numerous biological processes in the human body. Since the body cannot produce retinol itself, vitamin A must be obtained through food, for example from carrots, eggs, or other vitamin-A-rich foods.
In skincare, however, retinol can be used in a far more targeted and controlled way – via a retinol serum. A retinol serum allows precise dosing, even distribution across the face, and optimal adaptation to different skin types and needs. This enables retinol to act locally exactly where it is needed and to unfold its anti-aging properties in a targeted manner – from a gentle introduction to intensive use.
How Does a Retinol Serum Work on the Face and Eye Area?
Within the skin, retinol is gradually converted into its biologically active form and influences several key skin functions:
- Cell renewal:
Stimulates cell turnover and supports skin regeneration for a fresher complexion. - Collagen metabolism:
Stimulates collagen production in the dermis, contributing to increased firmness, elasticity, and reduced wrinkle depth. - Brightening of pigmentation:
Regulates melanin production and can visibly brighten pigmentation while helping to prevent new discoloration. - Neutralization of free radicals:
Helps neutralize free radicals that would otherwise promote cell damage and premature skin aging. - Sebum-regulating effect:
Supports balanced sebum production and makes pores appear more refined. - Exfoliating properties:
Exerts exfoliating effects that can help prevent impurities and promote a clearer complexion. - Acceleration of scar healing:
Supports skin regeneration and may increase skin resilience.
Retinol does not only work on the surface but also penetrates deeper layers of the skin. As a result, its anti-aging effects develop over time. With consistent use of our retinol serum, the first visible improvements typically appear after several weeks to months – across the entire face and even in the delicate eye area.
What Benefits Does a Retinol Serum Offer for the Face and Eye Area?
Thanks to its unique mode of action, a retinol serum for the face can address multiple skin concerns at once. With regular and correct facial care using retinol serum, existing signs of skin aging can be visibly improved while early aging processes can be prevented.
This makes a retinol serum suitable not only for the face and neck but also – with an adapted formulation – for the sensitive eye area. A specially developed retinol eye cream serum can act particularly gently and is ideal for the delicate skin around the eyes.
Retinol Serum for Wrinkles
As we age, the body’s natural collagen production declines, causing the skin to lose elasticity and firmness. The result is fine lines and wrinkles. As a proven anti-aging ingredient, retinol stimulates collagen synthesis. With regular use, the skin appears firmer, fine lines are smoothed, and the overall complexion looks more tightened and refined.
Retinol Serum for Pigmentation
Retinol serums have been successfully used for years to improve uneven pigmentation. By accelerating cell renewal, a retinol serum helps shed older, more heavily pigmented skin cells more quickly and replace them with newly formed, more evenly pigmented cells.
At the same time, a high-quality retinol serum influences processes involved in melanin distribution. As a result, pigmentation spots, sun damage, and uneven skin tone can gradually appear less visible.
Retinol Serum for Impurities
A retinol serum also helps counteract clogged pores and normalize keratinization. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and can positively influence sebum regulation.
Who Is a Retinol Serum Suitable For – and What Should Be Considered?
A retinol serum is generally suitable for many skin types – provided that concentration, formulation, and application are tailored to individual needs. What matters is not only the active ingredient itself but also how retinol is formulated and used.
Paying attention to the following aspects creates the best conditions for an effective and well-tolerated retinol routine.
Choosing the right concentration
Retinol is highly effective, making concentration a key factor. For beginners or sensitive skin, a low-dose retinol serum is recommended to allow the skin time to adapt. Our Retinol Sensitive is the ideal retinol serum for beginners. Experienced users can opt for higher-concentration formulas such as Retinol Intense to achieve more intensive effects. A gradual increase is always advisable.
Light- and air-tight packaging
Retinol is sensitive to light and oxygen. High-quality, light- and air-tight packaging protects the active ingredient from oxidation and ensures that the retinol serum remains stable and effective throughout use. Open jars or transparent packaging are therefore less suitable for retinol.
Thoughtful formulation instead of unnecessary additives
A good retinol serum is not defined by a long INCI list but by a well-designed combination of effective and skin-compatible ingredients. Avoiding fragrances, parabens, silicones, irritating alcohols, and unnecessary additives helps prevent unnecessary stress on the skin – especially with regular use and in the sensitive eye area.
How to Use a Retinol Serum Correctly
To ensure that a retinol serum delivers optimal results while remaining well tolerated, correct application is essential. Most intolerance reactions are not caused by retinol itself but by improper use.
Retinol should always be applied in the evening, as skin regeneration is particularly active overnight and the ingredient is light-sensitive. At the beginning, apply the retinol serum after cleansing and integrate it slowly into your existing routine.
Consistent daytime care is also crucial, regardless of season or weather – ideally using our day cream with SPF 50+.
How Often Should Retinol Be Used?
Beginners should start with one to two applications per week. Once the skin has adapted to the ingredient (usually after 2–4 weeks), frequency can be gradually increased.
Experienced users may apply a retinol serum more frequently, up to nightly use. The key is always to give the skin sufficient time to adapt.
Which Retinol Serum Is Right for My Skin?
There is no single retinol serum that suits every skin equally. Retinol is a powerful active ingredient whose tolerability and effectiveness depend heavily on formulation, concentration, and individual skin condition.
Depending on skin type, experience with retinol, and personal skin goals, a different retinol serum may be the better choice.
Retinol Sensitive – For Retinol Beginners
Retinol Sensitive was developed specifically for those who are new to retinol, have sensitive or drier skin, or want to integrate retinol particularly gently into their routine. The formulation combines low-dose retinol with skin-friendly plant-based actives such as bakuchiol to gradually accustom the skin to the ingredient. This makes Retinol Sensitive ideal for a gentle introduction and good tolerability with regular use.
Retinol Intense (High-Dose Retinol) – For Retinol Professionals
Retinol Intense is designed for users who already have experience with retinol and are seeking more intensive results. The formulation contains a higher retinol concentration combined with next-generation retinoids and phyto-retinols such as bakuchiol to specifically enhance skin-renewing effects. Retinol Intense is particularly suitable for advanced routines and users who want to focus their skincare on a high-dose retinol serum.
Retinol Serum – Before & After: What Is Realistic?
Retinol is not just retinol. When comparing different retinol serums, significant differences become apparent – especially between simply formulated drugstore products and highly concentrated, medically well-designed formulations. Factors such as retinol concentration, stabilization, supporting ingredients, and packaging play a decisive role in actual skin results.
Before
After
After three months of consistent use
In an independent TV test featured on taff, SAT.1 Breakfast Television, and taff weekend, two retinol serums were compared over several months: an inexpensive drugstore product and a high-concentration retinol serum from DOC BERGER EFFECT.
The test subject initially used our former 0.3% retinol serum, followed by the stronger 0.5% version. These formulations correspond in active-ingredient orientation to today’s Retinol Sensitive and Retinol Intense, whose recipes have since been further developed and aligned with current scientific insights.
Over the course of use, both subjectively perceptible and objectively measurable improvements in skin appearance were observed, including improved skin texture and reduced wrinkle depth – particularly on the forehead, around the eyes (crow’s feet), and under the eyes. Such results do not occur overnight but require consistent use over several months. Read our Retinol Test Winner article here.
Does a Retinol Serum Have Side Effects?
Retinol “side effects” are temporary skin reactions that may occur due to accelerated cell turnover, especially during the initial adjustment phase (retinization). These are not medical side effects in the strict sense. Often referred to as “retinol burn,” these symptoms are generally harmless and subside within a few weeks with correct dosing and gradual adaptation.
Combining Retinol Serum with Other Ingredients
Certain ingredients can improve tolerability, complement effects, or actively support the skin during retinol use.
Retinol & Hyaluronic Acid
The combination of retinol and hyaluronic acid is particularly beneficial. While retinol supports skin renewal, hyaluronic acid intensely hydrates the skin and helps counteract dryness and tightness. A retinol serum combined with a moisturizing night cream can help stabilize the skin barrier and improve tolerability – especially for dry or sensitive skin.
Retinol & Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is often described as a plant-based ingredient with retinol-like effects and is ideal as a complementary or alternative active. When combined with retinol, bakuchiol can enhance skin-renewing effects while improving overall tolerability.
Retinol & Vitamin C
Due to their different mechanisms and pH levels, retinol and vitamin C should be used at different times: vitamin C in the morning and retinol in the evening. This allows both actives to deliver their benefits without unnecessarily stressing the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retinol Serum
A retinol serum supports skin cell renewal and can help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, balance pigmentation, refine pores, and combat impurities. With regular use, the skin appears smoother, more even, and fresher.
Retinol is considered by dermatologists to be one of the most thoroughly researched and effective skincare ingredients. It is frequently recommended to address signs of aging, pigmentation disorders, and impurities – provided it is correctly dosed and applied.
Initial improvements in skin texture may be visible after 4–6 weeks. More pronounced effects on wrinkles or pigmentation typically appear after at least 8–12 weeks of consistent use. Retinol works gradually and long-term.
A retinol serum can be beneficial from the mid-20s onward to prevent early signs of skin aging. With increasing age, it is often used specifically to improve wrinkles, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity.
Dermatologists recommend retinol serums that are stably formulated, precisely dosed, and well tolerated. The key is choosing a product that matches skin type and prior retinol experience – from beginner formulas to high-dose options. In an extensive comparison test featured on taff and SAT.1 Breakfast Television, dermatologist Dr. Pamela Mai professionally supervised the evaluation, comparing DOC BERGER EFFECT Retinol with a drugstore retinol serum. Measurable improvements in skin structure, including reduced wrinkle depth, were observed with DOC BERGER EFFECT Retinol. The clean formulation and good tolerability were also highlighted.
Yes, provided it is low-dose, cleanly formulated, and introduced gradually. DOC BERGER EFFECT Retinol Sensitive with bakuchiol and novoretin is particularly suitable for a gentle start.
No. Retinol does not thin the skin. On the contrary, long-term use can strengthen and thicken the skin by supporting collagen production.
Whether daily use is suitable depends on concentration, formulation, and individual tolerance. Many users start once or twice weekly and gradually increase to nightly use.
Yes. Retinol can be used in summer, but consistent daytime sun protection is essential, as retinol increases photosensitivity. A high SPF should be a fixed part of the routine.
Absolutely. Retinol is effective regardless of gender and is particularly beneficial for men, who often struggle with large pores, impurities, and deeper expression lines. Since male skin is generally thicker and produces more sebum, it benefits especially from retinol’s pore-refining, smoothing, and anti-inflammatory effects. It is also an excellent complement to shaving care.
Yes – but not at the same time.
Morning: Vit C + Biobotox Serum to protect against free radicals, brighten pigmentation, and reduce expression lines.
Evening: Retinol Serum to support cell renewal and target wrinkles, impurities, and enlarged pores long-term.
Both belong to the retinoid family. Retinal (retinaldehyde) is one step closer to retinoic acid, which is not permitted in EU cosmetics as it is classified as a medicinal substance. Retinal works faster but is often more irritating and less stable. Retinol is converted into retinoic acid through two enzymatic steps, resulting in a gentler yet effective action. Retinol is therefore considered the gold standard in anti-aging care.
Since 2025, new EU regulations prohibit free production and sale of retinol concentrations above 0.3%. Higher doses are now classified as prescription medication. This underscores how powerful retinol truly is.
In response, we developed new formulations that closely match the effects of our former 0.5% and 1.0% serums while offering improved tolerability and maximum safety:
• Retinol Sensitive aligns with our former 0.3% serum but is even gentler and better suited for beginners or sensitive skin.
• Retinol Intense serves as the modern counterpart to the former 0.5% and 1.0% variants, combining the maximum permitted retinol concentration with additional retinoids and plant-based retinol-like actives to intensify skin renewal.
No. Retinol and other vitamin A derivatives should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In these phases, non-retinoid alternatives are recommended. When in doubt, always consult a qualified professional.