Yes! I have used retinol since I was in my 30's (I believe that's when). It has worked really well on my face and neck.
My problem is I often forget to use the retinol on my hands and also because I wash my hands so often...
When people guess my age at early 50's (I'm 72 this year) it's because I have very few wrinkles or brown spots and (because my hair is thin I wear a wig). Sometimes if I have time to carry out a full conversation with them (often comments are made in passing) then I'll say, "Well I look my age when you look at my hands".
It's true. They don't look as bad as someone who's never used retinol, but they don't look (I think) like someone in her early 50's either.
So my vote is yes, it does work if you can remember to use it every day when you won't be immediately washing it off and (more importantly) remember to use sunscreen (to prevent dark spots) every single day...