Retinol has earned its place as one of the most talked-about ingredients in skincare, with plenty of people turning to it to tackle everything from fine lines and wrinkles, to uneven skin tone and breakouts. But while it can be a useful addition to your routine, knowing how to use it properly is vital. Get it wrong and you could end up with dry, flaky or irritated skin.

From applying too much to combining it with the wrong skincare ingredients, there are several common mistakes that could be doing more harm than good. And with so much conflicting advice about how often to use retinol, what to apply alongside it and which products to avoid, it can be difficult to know whether you're getting the best out of your routine.

To find out what not to do, I spoke to Brent D.…