Do you know any way to manage dull skin other than with retinol cream?

Lately, my skin has been looking dull and I've been concerned about wrinkles, so I tried using cosmetics containing retinol. At first, I didn't experience any immediate stinging or irritation, so I continued using it. Then, my skin started to feel hot and blotchy, so I stopped using it immediately.

Retinol creams have safety issues that are as difficult to manage as their side effects.

Because retinol is sensitive to light and should only be applied at night, and because it oxidizes easily and turns brown when exposed to air, I felt pressured to use it quickly after opening.

I knew it was effective, but I was worried I'd have to apply it nervously every day, checking my skin condition. After noticing the itchiness and burning sensation, I immediately stopped using the retinol cream and started looking for an alternative.

Do you know of any products or methods other than retinol that are safe to use or that can help manage skin aging?