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The 14 Best Retinol Products for Impossibly Glowing, Smooth Skin

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Few skincare ingredients have as devoted a following as retinol and retinoids. This vitamin A derivative is proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, clear up acne and acne scars, resurface skin texture, and brighten dark spots. “Retinol is perhaps the best-studied ingredient we have over the counter to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. The effects of retinol can be long-lasting, too. “As retinol thickens the skin, it also helps you fight off future wrinkles in the future.”

If you’re worried about any side-effects of a retinol cream (like dryness or irritation), remember to start gradually, keep skin moisturized, and follow application instructions correctly. “Some forms of retinol are not stable in UV light, which makes evening application and morning SPF important,” says Dr. Zeichner. Ready to work this heavy-hitter anti-aging ingredient into your routine? Keep scrolling for the best retinol creams.


About the Expert:

Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a New York City-based dermatologist. He is the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

1. The Best Overall:

OLAY Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer

OLAY Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer
Courtesy of OLAY

Whether you’ve used retinol for years or you’re a first timer, this super creamy nighttime moisturizer is an ace for fighting signs of aging. In addition to the star ingredient, it also has niacinamide (a.k.a. vitamin B3) to even skin tone, and peptides to strengthen skin—plus it keeps skin hydrated for a full 24 hours.

2. The Best for all Skin Types:

GLOSSIER Universal Pro-Retinol

GLOSSIER Universal Pro-Retinol
Courtesy of GLOSSIER

It’s true: Millennial fave GLOSSIER launched a retinol, and it’s really good. Best of all, the gentle 0.5 percent Retinyl Sunflowerate formula is tolerable for all skin types, and can be used for fine lines, breakouts, or dark spots—player’s choice. If you have sensitive skin, try incorporating it into your routine twice a week, then increase from there.

3. The Best Hybrid Retinol Treatment:

PAULA’S CHOICE 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment

PAULA’S CHOICE 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
Courtesy of PAULA’S CHOICE

If you haven’t heard of bakuchiol, it’s a plant-based retinol alternative that’s said to be gentler on skin. Even better, it may help stabilize standard retinol. This cult-favorite treatment combines the two for major radiance-enhancing power with a lower concentration of pure retinol, plus skin-rebuilding peptides to top it off.

4. The Best Budget Buy:

THE ORDINARY Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane

THE ORDINARY Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane
Courtesy of THE ORDINARY

What if we told you there was an effective retinol formula that cost under $10? Enter this serum from THE ORDINARY. It’s bare-bones—essentially just the retinoid in squalane and jojoba oil—so try the sandwich method when using: Apply a thin layer of moisturizer to cushion the skin, followed by the serum, and another layer of moisturizer on top to seal it all in.

5. The Best for Dry Skin:

DRUNK ELEPHANT A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream

DRUNK ELEPHANT A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream
Courtesy of DRUNK ELEPHANT

Dry skin and retinol can be a tricky mix, and although one percent retinol isn’t messing around, this face cream also has tons of nourishing ingredients to keep skin feeling hydrated and plump too. First, the peptide blend helps strengthen skin, while passionfruit, apricot, and jojoba oils help seal in moisture. And we’d be remiss not to mention the brand’s signature marula oil, which adds a boost of omega fatty acids and antioxidants.

6. The Best Night Cream:

CLARK'S BOTANICALS Retinol Rescue Overnight Cream

CLARK'S BOTANICALS Retinol Rescue Overnight Cream
Courtesy of CLARK'S BOTANICALS

This iconic cream has the ideal formulation consisting of powerful anti-aging ingredients (retinol and vitamin C) to boost collagen production and even skin tone, as well as skin-soothers (vitamin E and colloidal oatmeal) to hydrate. Plus, it boasts two types of retinol—high-potency for swift results and time-released to make them last.

7. The Heaviest-Hitter:

MURAD Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

MURAD Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
Courtesy of MURAD

Not one, not two, but three types of retinol are infused in this powerhouse formula. What do they do, you ask? One gets to work right away, softening the appearance of wrinkles, one is time-released to encourage long-lasting effects, and one is a retinol booster to enhance the product’s overall effectiveness. Add in niacinamide and picolinamide to maintain the skin barrier, and prepare for a next-level glow by the time you wake up.

8. The Best Eye Treatment:

GLOW RECIPE Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask

GLOW RECIPE Avocado Melt Retinol Eye Sleeping Mask
Courtesy of GLOW RECIPE

Retinol can do wonders around the eyes, where fine lines tend to take up residence far earlier than other areas of the face. After a good night’s sleep, this dreamy (and yes, avocado-green) formula will help plump up the area and brighten dark circles to boot. Plus, the mask is synthetic fragrance-free and made using gentler encapsulated retinol, which gives your skin all the benefits without harsh side effects like dryness.

9. The Best Retinol Oil:

SUNDAY RILEY Luna Sleeping Night Oil

SUNDAY RILEY Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Courtesy of SUNDAY RILEY

For many of us, facial oils are the last step in our nighttime skincare routines—so why not infuse it with a layer of retinol? Blended with calming chamomile, blue tansy, and blue azulene, this oil ensures you’ll wake up with a fresh glow, not irritated skin. “Head over heels in love with this serum,” wrote one Ipster, who did warn that the blue oil “freaked me out the first time I used it, LOL...but the color faded away as I blended it into my skin.”

10. The Best for Oily Skin:

NEUTROGENA Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream + Hyaluronic Acid

NEUTROGENA Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Cream + Hyaluronic Acid
Courtesy of NEUTROGENA

Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to shy away from face cream if you have an oily complexion. This affordable formula is hydrating yet lightweight thanks to hyaluronic acid, while still packing all the retinol punch. Use it at night as your daily moisturizer, then switch to a lightweight SPF formula in the morning.

11. The Best Vitamin C-Retinol Combo:

KATE SOMERVILLE +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer

KATE SOMERVILLE +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer
Courtesy of KATE SOMERVILLE

Retinol and vitamin C are two active ingredients that are difficult to pair together for stability reasons, but the geniuses at KATE SOMERVILLE found a way to do it to perfection. Line-smoothing results, skin-brightening powers, and ultimate hydration all in one product? Yes, please.

12. The Best Retinol Alternative:

HERBIVORE Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum

HERBIVORE Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum
Courtesy of HERBIVORE

The star ingredient in this serum, yet again? Bakuchiol, the popular retinol cousin touted as a natural, gentler alternative. It’s a great option if you’ve tried retinol and it didn’t work for your skin, or you simply prefer clean ingredients. Plus, who can resist that pretty shade of lilac, courtesy of natural botanicals?

13. The Best Retinol Serum:

JUICE BEAUTY STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Overnight Serum

JUICE BEAUTY STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Overnight Serum
Courtesy of JUICE BEAUTY

Loaded with 2.5 percent retinol, this night serum is ideal for deep wrinkles, discoloration, and hyperpigmentation. But don’t worry: While the formula may be concentrated, the lotion-like texture is soothing and moisturizing for all skin types, so your skin will still feel hydrated even if you don’t layer another product on top.

14. The Best for Sensitive Skin:

NO B.S. Retinol Night Cream

NO B.S. Retinol Night Cream
Courtesy of NO B.S.

Yes, you can still use retinol if you have sensitive skin—you may just want to start with a lower concentration. This night cream has 0.1 percent retinyl palmitate to help facilitate cell turnover, and is cushioned with hydrating hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin E, and antioxidant-packed pomegranate.

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Article Last Updated July 24, 2023 12:00 AM