what’s going on with my skin? will a retinol irritate or help this?

hi all. i posted a few days ago about turning 30 and starting use of a 0.1% retinol i got. i was very fortunate during my 20s to have extremely clear skin. somehow, in the months since I turned 30, i wake up every morning with these spots/whiteheads. i have no idea why. nothing has changed in my skincare routine, laundry detergent, anything. is it just hormonal? anyways. i was thinking i should wait til it dies down to start incorporating retinol, but now im wondering if retinol is actually what will stop it? please let me know. for reference, here is the same skin care routine i have been using for years: am routine: \- rinse face with water \- apply neutrogena hydroboost water gel sunscreen spf50 to face, neck, chest pm routine: \- wash face with warm water and neutrogena hydroboost hydrating gel cleanser w hyaluronic acid \- apply the ordinarys 10% azelaic acid to face \- apply neutrogena hydroboost water gel w hyaluronic acid to face, neck, chest \- apply aquaphor on lips