In the vast universe of skincare formulations, there’s one ingredient that consistently gets name-checked by derms and beauty editors alike: retinol. The vitamin A derivative is a powerhouse product when it comes to helping smooth and brighten complexions — and lucky for us, we don’t need to splurge in order to slide it into our beauty rotations.”Retinols are a great addition to your skincare routine and can help minimize the appearance of fine lines, pores while evening out skin tone,” dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD, tells Refinery29. “Retinol products work by increasing the rate the at which your skin cells turnover, while promoting new collagen production.”