Before the Red Carpet, the Right Retinoid

Every great look starts with the skin under it, and the retinoid family has four members worth knowing by name: tretinoin, adapalene, retinol and retinal. They aren't interchangeable. Each one is suited to a different concern, with acne and sensitivity among the ones that decide the choice, so matching the formula to your own skin matters more than reaching for whichever bottle is closest. For anyone with a gala on the calendar, from New York to Beverly Hills, this is the step to get right well before the gown arrives.

With reporting from Vogue.