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When people hear the word retinol, they usually get nervous because of the bad reputation it has regarding being super strong and irritating on the skin. However, retinol is a necessary step in your skincare routine and you have nothing to worry about because it’s actually not irritating at all!
Retinol aims to try and resurface the first layer of your skin which is why it should be applied at night when it can work to help penetrate the skin and when you’re not exposed to the sun. It’s important to note that you must use SPF if you are using retinol because your skin will be sensitive to UV rays.
Below, we rounded up all of our favorite retinol products that will aim to leave your skin looking and feeling younger.
Comparing the Finest Retinols of 2024
LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream Moisturizer — Best Overall
This cream can be worn day or night and it doesn’t dry out your skin because it’s formulated with hydrating ingredients of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, green tea, shea butter, and jojoba oil. The lightweight cream doesn’t leave your face looking oily, it’s not sticky, and it doesn’t clog pores. Even better, it’s gluten-free, never tested on animals, doesn’t contain artificial fragrances, and has no parabens.
Pros
- Can be used day or night
Cons
- Only use a small amount
Dr. Dennis Retinol — Most Convenient
Want to revert the effect of aging on your eyelids? Well, say hello to the all-mighty Dr. Dennis Retinol. This specific serum can help smooth visible lines & wrinkles. It is manufactured by a global-certified dermatological surgeon that has been in this area for over 25 years. The retinol is extremely easy to use - just apply some serum to your hands and gently start tapping it around your eye area. The results should start showing in about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on your skin condition and the number of times you apply it to your skin. This packaging contains 0.5 fluid ounces, which is perfectly suitable for one month of usage.
Pros
- Reduces the look of wrinkles
- It hydrates the skin around your eye
Cons
- They changed their eco-friendly packaging to plastic
Eclat Skincare Retinol — Best Results
Nobody enjoys watching the signs of aging start to show on their face. But don't worry, the Eclat Skincare Retinol can protect your skin from the effects of aging and restore the nice shine in no time. Formulated with pure retinol and a patented R-Boost complex, this serum penetrates deep into your skin to deliver optimal results. To top it all off, this recipe contains potent "age-erasers" like Vitamin C and Vegan Hyaluronic Acid as well as a few other skin-loving ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, and Witch Hazel. The patented 24-Release technology provides all-day radiance and the 100% vegan formulation is non-comedogenic and gentle on your skin. Get ready to witness a clear difference on your face with this amazing product!
Pros
- Penetrates skin five times deeper than regular serums
- Reduces retinol treatment irritation
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
Cons
- Takes 2 weeks to see the results
Glo Skin Beauty Retinol Serum — Best Results
Beta-clarity BHA drops of Glo Skin Beauty come with retinol, alicyclic acid, and glycolic acid and target excessive pigmentation, increasing cell turnover through gentle exfoliation. This product is ideal for correcting skin texture irregularities and preventing breakouts. Besides drawing out impurities, the serum makes your skin brighter and refined, promoting radiance, strengthening and refining the skin's surface, and reducing the fine lines and wrinkles. It also reduces pores while smoothing and revitalizing the skin. After cleaning and toning in the evening, use a pea-sized amount on the skin, avoiding the eye area. Before applying moisturizer, give the serum up to 30 minutes to enter for maximum results.
Pros
- Ideal for uneven skin textures
- Reduces the appearance of pores
- Targets multi skin concerns
Cons
- Not for extremely sensitive skin
Tree Of Life Retinol Serum for Face and Skin — Runner Up
This 72% organic retinol serum is super powerful and contains 10% pure vegan hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin. The serum helps reduce signs of aging including fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It absorbs quickly into the skin, is cruelty-free, and is made in the USA.
Pros
- It’s cruelty-free
Cons
- Only use at night
Yeouth Retinol Serum 2.5% — Honorable Mention
This retinol serum with hyaluronic acid leaves your skin looking younger with a gorgeous glow. It’s formulated with 2.5% retinol, vitamin A, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, Retin A Derivative, and Retinoid, which helps to clear up your complexion of blemishes and signs of aging. Vitamin A, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera work together to nourish the skin’s barrier and provide hydration so that your skin is left feeling soft and supple.
Pros
- It contains vitamin A, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera
Cons
- Only lasts 1 month of continued use
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Face Moisturizer — Contender
This nighttime moisturizer used Olay’s Vitamin B3 + Retinol Complex to penetrate the skin while you sleep so you wake up looking and feeling refreshed. The super-rich cream has a hydrating formula that fixes the skin’s barrier while you’re sleeping and it leaves your skin moisturized for up to 24 hours. All you have to do is apply before bed and you wake up with younger-looking skin.
Pros
- It’s fragrance-free
Cons
- It’s just a night cream
Orlette Retinol Serum 2.5% — Also Consider
This retinol facial serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to moisturize skin while decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It’s made with an all-natural blend of extracts that do not irritate skin and don’t cause breakouts. The serum glides onto the skin smoothly and doesn’t leave you feeling sticky or looking oily. Even better, it’s not tested on animals.
Pros
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Can only be used at night
Buying Guide: Retinol
Retinol is a powerful skin-rejuvenating ingredient that can treat a wide range of problems, from wrinkles and sun damage to acne. Our comprehensive guide will help you pick this magical product with ease. So, let’s get started!
What Are the Benefits of Using Retinol?
Retinol is an ingredient found in many beauty products, from moisturizers and anti-aging creams to body lotions and face masks. Here are some perks of incorporating this product into your skincare routine.
- Improve skin texture and keep your skin firm
- Increases collagen production and fades the dark spots
- Reduce the fine lines and prevent wrinkles from settling in prematurely
- Improve your complexion while reducing acne, hyperpigmentation, redness, and enlarged pores
- Exfoliates and rejuvenates the skin by increasing cell turnover
- Act as an anti-aging cream
How to Choose a Skincare Product With Retinol?
Ingredients
Before buying retinol cream or serum, you should check if it is used as an active ingredient or not. Does it contain water? What is the concentration of retinol in the product? Some brands incorporate 0.3% retinol while others go as high as 1%. The percentage of retinol that is present in the cream should be around 0.5% to 1% and no less than 0.25%. If it has a higher percentage, then it may cause irritation and redness of the skin. Do not forget to check out if a product contains parabens, sulfates and other harsh chemicals that may harm your skin.
Cruelty-free product
We all love animals, right? So why pick a product that has been aggressively tested on animals? Always read the label to confirm that the product is cruelty-free and no innocent animal has been harmed in the process of manufacturing this product.
Skin type
When buying a retinol cream, you should always keep in mind your skin type. If you have extremely oily or combination skin, then you should opt for retinol with higher strength. But, if you have dry or sensitive skin, then you should definitely go for milder products with lesser retinol concentration.
Direction
Improper usage can only lead to more harm than good. It is important to opt for a product that comes with an instruction manual or have all the directions clearly mentioned on the bottle so you can use it properly.
Size
When it comes to skincare products, you might think that the smallest size is obviously best, right? Not so fast. The amount of product matters, but so does the number of applications you get out of it. If you choose a tiny bottle, it will only last for 10 applications. So, try to go with a larger bottle that will last longer and save your unnecessary store trips.
How do Retinol, Retin-A and Retinoid Differ From Each Other?
Retinol, Retin-A and retinoid are all related terms that describe vitamin A derivatives. However, they differ in their concentration and application (topical or oral).
Retinoids
Retinoids are vitamin-A derivatives (retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinaldehyde) that can be found in over-the-counter anti-wrinkle lotions and creams. It is often used to alleviate acne and other skin conditions, including wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. It works by encouraging the growth of collagen and reversing the aging process. However, it also has side effects, which include redness, flaking, itching, peeling and burning. The most common side effect is dryness which typically goes away within a week or so as your skin adjusts to this product.
Retinol
Retinol is the least potent form of vitamin A, which is mostly found in your average drugstore products like moisturizers, face masks and serums. It performs many functions, including rejuvenating skin, and maintaining healthy epithelial tissues, such as skin and hair. Products containing this ingredient should be used as part of your regular nighttime regimen, as it works best during the night when your skin is more receptive to repair and renewal.
Retin-A
Retin-A is tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid), a form of vitamin A that has been stabilized for oral and topical use. It is used for treating acne and fine lines, reducing pigmentation spots, removing warts and shrinking pores. Retin-A works by making cells more sensitive to light so that they can rebuild faster which in turn speeds up the healing processes. It also makes the skin smoother when used consistently over time. You can also use it for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia. It has a larger price tag than some types of retinol, and you must have a prescription to buy this product.
Tips to Prevent Irritation While Using Retinol
Often the skincare products that contain retinol are prescribed by dermatologists for anti-aging purposes. However, many women who have used them complain about minor skin irritations. Some experience a mild burning sensation while others suffer from an allergic reaction that leads to redness, swelling, or even blistering. The following tips will help you use retinol without experiencing any of these adverse effects.
- Start by applying it only once every two days for a week and then twice a week for another week. Increase your usage frequency to every night if your skin tolerates the product well.
- Cleansers that contain harsh ingredients can irritate your skin further. You should use mild soap or a gentle facial wash like Cetaphil or Cerave to wash your face while using retinol.
- Since chemically induced serums make your skin more sensitive to sun damage, try to wear at least SPF 30 every day. This will help prevent sun spots and pigmentation caused by sun exposure and reduce the chance of wrinkles too.
- Apply mild moisturizer or healing balm to prevent dryness and flaky skin while using retinol.
If you experience irritation from using retinol, discontinue use immediately and talk to your dermatologist about alternate options for treating skin issues.
