How should I introduce this serum if I'm new to retinol or vitamin C around my eyes?

This serum contains active ingredients (retinol and vitamin C) that can be potent, especially for the delicate eye area. The key is to start slowly. Begin by applying a tiny amount (about half a pea-sized dot) to clean, dry skin, ideally every other evening. Use only your ring finger to gently pat it along the orbital bone, avoiding the immediate lash line and eyelids where the skin is thinnest. Watch how your skin responds over the next 48 hours for any signs of excessive dryness, flaking, redness, or stinging. If your skin tolerates it well, you can gradually increase frequency to nightly use. If you experience irritation, reduce frequency to twice a week or pause use for a few days to let your skin barrier recover. Because retinol can increase sun sensitivity, it's advisable to use this serum as part of your evening routine and commit to daily sunscreen use during the day. If you currently use other strong actives like exfoliating acids elsewhere on your face, consider not applying them directly to the eye contour during this introduction period.