Skincare innovations often come at the speed of an iPhone update, and smart new technology emerges every time you blink. That being said, finding the best retinol serum or cream is understandable. But this anti-aging ingredient shouldn’t be done halfway. First used in an over-the-counter ointment’38s, this A potent form of Vitamin A revered for its proven youthful boost – boosting results.
Best Retinol Serums and Creams
“Retinol sends your body Signals your body to produce collagen and new cells for firmer, smoother skin while reducing hyperpigmentation and clogged pores,” says dermatologist Dr. Anne Chapas, it’s multitasking. Still, the superhero ingredient has its downsides, namely that it can cause dryness and irritation, especially during the colder months, and tend to become unstable (and therefore ineffective) in the presence of oxygen and light.
That is, until now. The best retinol creams out there feature smart time-release technology, anti-inflammatory peptides, super-hydrating moisturizers, and even vacuum-pump packaging to keep the ingredients fresh in the lab. Whether you choose a lightweight serum or a fine line softening cream, they’ll fit into any antiaging routine, from those prone to acne to those with sensitive skin. Rotate these products throughout the year, or use them once or twice a week for rejuvenation—and watch the changes in your skin. Read on to find Vogue Editors’ Best Retinol Treatments, Rounding Up Dermatology Doctors and our editors – as well as some important ingredient labeling and application best practices.
Best Retinol Serum
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum
Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Augustinus Bader Retinol Serum
Augustinus Bader Retinol Serum
Lancer Advanced Retinol Treatment
SkinMedica Anti-Aging Retinol Complex 1.0
SkinMedica Anti-Aging Retinol Complex 1.0
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- Why We Love It
: Designed to improve skin tone, texture and elasticity, SkinMedica’s treatments are thoughtful additions to any skincare routine. Retinol works with an antioxidant complex to smooth the look of severe wrinkles and fade dark spots to improve your complexion over time. Main ingredients: Retinol, a PhytoShield Complex (antioxidant rich)
Shani Darden Retinol Repair Serum
- Why We Love It : Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden created this serum as a gentle retinol solution. With its rich blend of Retinol and AHAs, expect firmer, smoother skin without annoying irritation or sensitivity.
: Sensitive skin, fine lines, wrinkles, unevenness, dullness
Epi.Logic Dual Action Retinol + AHA Overnight Facial
- Why We Love It
: Epi from board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton. The Logic line introduces powerful nighttime treatments – specially formulated for dark and brown skin tones. The aptly named Double Feature combines the best of retinol and exfoliating acids to keep skin smooth and even. Main ingredients : Extended Release, Encapsulated Retinol and Vitamin A Retinoids, Lactic Acid, Mateic Acid, Melatonin
RéVive Peau Magnifique Serum
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- Why We Love It : Dr. Gregory Bays Brow’s award-winning skincare brand, RéVive, presents this resurfacing serum enriched with retinol, peptidases and antioxidants. The blend of Magnifique Serum is known to improve skin’s firmness and plumpness in just 4 weeks, leaving the complexion looking younger than ever.
Glossier Universal Pro-Retinol
- Why We Love It: Want that signature Glossier glow? Be sure to add its retinol treatment to your cart. Designed to benefit both old and new users of vitamin A derivatives, this comprehensive treatment targets every sign of aging, from fine lines to uneven texture and blemishes.
Common Heir 0.2% Retinol Serum
Common Heir 0.2% Retinol Serum
- Why we love it: Want to make sure your retinol is as effective as it is on the pack? Just look no further than Common Heir’s serum in hand capsules. The formula is designed for beginners (or those with sensitive skin), and it’s even tested on darker skin types. Taken together, this is a safe choice for improving firmness and skin clarity for any user.
Best Retinol Face Cream
SkinCeutical Visible Retinol 0.3
Skincare Visible Retinol 0.3
- Why We Love It: SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 is a favorite of dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe , a less invasive version of the brand’s original popular retinol formula, even contains bisabolol (a chamomile extract) to help soothe skin irritations. Not to mention, this retinol utilizes steady release technology to optimize your treatment.
- Main ingredient : 0.3 % Pure Retinol, Bisabolol (from Chamomile Plant), Boswellia Extract (from Frankincense)
- Best for : fine lines, dark spots, acne
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Moisturizer
RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Moisturizer
- Why we love it : “Using a retinol cream provides many skin benefits, including increased skin cell turnover and the removal of dead skin cells cells to reveal healthy new skin cells,” says dermatologist Michelle Green, MD. She recommends RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Cream because it “delivers the anti-aging benefits of retinol with the ultra-hydrating and soothing properties of hyaluronic acid.”
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Frost
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- Why We Love It
: Drunk Elephant’s lightweight A-Passioni has multiple advantage. Formulated with 1% vegan retinol, the cream exfoliates and erases any wrinkles, pollution or UV damage like dark spots, while Vitamin F soothes the skin barrier, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Frost
Avène Retrinal 0.1 Intense Face Cream
Avène Retrinal 0.1 Powerful face cream
- Why We Love It: Avène RétrinAL 0.1 Intense Cream with No Pump bottle with retinaldehyde, a less-irritating form of vitamin A that stimulates cell renewal and collagen synthesis, while French thermal ingredient spring water provides anti-inflammatory benefits, even for those with very sensitive skin in this way.
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream
Why we love it: La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R Retinol Cream contains not only pure retinol, but also skin exfoliators and soothing antioxidants to reduce the signs of aging without irritating sensitive skin.
Main ingredients : pure Retinol, Lipohydroxy Acid (LHA), Glycerin, La Roche-Posay Thermal Water Best for : Wrinkles, Fine Lines, Age Spots, Premature Sun Damage
When to Apply: According to La Roche-Posay, this cream should be applied on the face and neck at night— —Use alone or with moisturizer.
Murad Retinol Youth Renewing Night Cream
Murad Retinol Youth Renewing Night Cream
Why We Love It : Murad’s Night Treatment is infused with the brand’s Retinol Triple-Active Technology to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles Fine Lines and Wrinkles, with Red Algae (rich in peptides) to restore the elasticity your skin needs. Main ingredients: Retinol Triple-Active Technology (Retinoid, ER Retinol, and Retinol Booster), Niacinamide, and Dipeptide
Best for : Wrinkles, Dullness
When to Apply
: According to Murad, apply this cream to your face every night , neck and chest.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Cream
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Cream
Why We Love It : Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Revitalizing Cream, Dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman’s Pick, “uses hyaluronic acid to help hydrate skin ,” especially if you’re looking for a drugstore alternative or have sensitive skin—just look for the fragrance-free version. That said, its blend fights fine lines, dark spots, and dullness.
Main ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
best for : Dry skin, wrinkles, dark spots
He Apply as needed : According to Neutrogena, apply a pearl-sized amount of product to the face and neck twice daily. In the morning, apply sunscreen.
Best Retinol Oil
75Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil
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3062981001938897870Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil
Why do we Love it : Designed to optimize your beauty sleep, 73 Skin’s Celestial Black Diamond Oil promises to rejuvenate dull skin . Blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles are just a few of the signs of aging, and it’s impossible to resist its luxurious blend. Main ingredients: 1% retinol, vegetable oil, diamond particles
most suitable : Wrinkles, Fine Lines, Age Spots
When to apply : According to 70 skin, apply two to three drops of the oil every night, 1 to 3 times, gradually increasing the frequency according to your preference. Apply SPF in the morning.
La Prairie Caviar Night Cream
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0400012392292 La Prairie Caviar Essence Night Essence Oil
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream
Murad Retinol Youth Renewing Night Cream
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Cream
Best Retinol Oil
75Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil
3062981001938897870Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil
La Prairie Caviar Night Cream
0400012392292 La Prairie Caviar Essence Night Essence Oil
Evening Primrose Mara + Green Tea Algae Retinol Face Oil
63165210220 Mara Evening Primrose + Green Tea® Algae Retinol Facial Oil
- Why We Love It : Enriched with Algae Extract, Retinol and Natural Source Mara’s Retinol Oil is rich in Vitamin A, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and protects the skin from Effects of harsh environmental stress. The formula also contains moisturizers and plumping agents to keep skin looking radiant.
Key Ingredients: 1.2% Retinol, Fermented Green Tea, Kakai, Algae, Brown Seaweed, Evening Primrose
How to use Retinol
If you plan to use retinol in your daily routine, it is important to consider how it will affect your skin. Hartman says the ingredient is safe for all skin types and tones, but recommends that patients with rosacea or hypersensitive skin consider retinol alternatives so they don’t cause further irritation. Think gentle vitamin A derivatives like retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, and retinyl esters, or plant-based options like bakuchiol. What’s more, Green stresses that retinol is not safe for breastfeeding or pregnant women.
Retinol vs. Retinoid vs. Tretinoin
Those acclaimed ingredients are new to the world, probably need to be broken down. Are they the same? Do they work the same? What is the advantage of one over the other? To be clear, retinoids are an umbrella term for a group of molecules that react with retinoic acid receptors on the skin to address age spots, texture, and wrinkles. (Retinoic acid is the active form of retinoids that skin uses for anti-aging and acne-fighting.) “Retinoic acid in its pure form can be too harsh on the skin,” explains Green. “To combat potential irritation, scientists have developed other forms of retinoids that require an additional conversion step to gradually produce retinoic acid.” These milder solutions include retinol, retinoids, Isotretinoin (also called tretinoin), tazarotene, and adapalene. Below is a breakdown of the most common forms of vitamin A — along with some general guidance on choosing the best form of vitamin A for your skin type — courtesy of Green.
