I had started using retinol and found my skin was always red, dry, and irritated. After adding this into my routine my redness and dryness subsided and my retinol purging phase was significantly reduced. If you are starting retinol or use benzoyl peroxide --- seriously consider adding this into your routine, it may not seem necessary but this product will help so much especially if your skin is over  exfoliated/ chemically irritated.