There are many buzzworthy skin care products and ingredients on the market these days, and retinol is one of the most well-known.
While retinol is widely available in over-the-counter (OTC) products, it’s important to know its benefits and potential side effects since it’s not recommended for people with certain skin conditions.
What is retinol?
According to Rajani Katta, MD, a board certified dermatologist who serves as voluntary clinical faculty at the Baylor College of Medicine and the McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Houston, retinol is a skin care ingredient that’s derived from vitamin A.
“Retinol has multiple benefits, including improvement in the visible signs of skin aging,” Katta says. “Research studies have shown that it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin roughness and dark spots.”
Retinol is also a type of retinoid that is commonly available in various strengths in the form of gels, creams, and serums. Retinol works by penetrating the deep layers of the skin, promoting cell turnover and elasticity.
Because retinol can be irritating for certain skin types, it’s best to consult a dermatologist about whether it’s the right treatment for you. You can also speak with them about what strength to start with and how often you should apply it prior to purchasing any retinol products.
“Although most people can use products that contain retinol, it can cause irritation, so it has to be used very carefully in people with sensitive skin,” Katta says.
How we chose the best retinol creams
We chose the following products based on:
- Concentration of retinol: Not all retinol products specify how much retinol they contain. However, we made sure to choose some higher-concentration products (up to 1%) and some lower-concentration products (0.1% or 0.3%).
- Cost: Retinol can be pricey. While there are some pricier products on our list, we also included several that are under $30.
- Ingredients: We prioritized retinol creams that also have other beneficial ingredients, like hyaluronic acid.
We also kept different skin types in mind because certain creams work better for different skin characteristics.
Lastly, all products have been vetted to ensure they meet Healthline’s medical standards and align with our approach to well-being.
Healthline’s picks of the best retinol creams
Best overall
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 Cream
- Skin type: all except sensitive
- Key ingredients: retinol, bisabolol, Boswellia serrata extract
- Retinol concentration: 0.30%
If you find that less concentrated formulas aren’t helping your skin issues, and you don’t have particularly sensitive skin, this slightly more potent formula does it all.
Thanks to a 0.3% concentration of retinol, the formula works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration, and it actively prevents and reduces breakouts.
The calming ingredients of bisabolol (derived from chamomile) and Boswellia serrata extract provide soothing properties to prevent irritation. This cream is also paraben-free and noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores.
Best moisturizer with retinol
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer
- Skin type: all except sensitive
- Key ingredients: retinol, niacinamide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, vitamin B3
- Retinol concentration: not specified
This moisturizer is a great option for those with skin that isn’t very sensitive and can stand up to most products.
This cream works to smooth wrinkles and even skin tone, all while leaving your skin feeling soft. The brand says the retinol 24 complex leaves your skin feeling smoother and brighter within 24 hours.
This moisturizer contains vitamin B3, which helps the skin retain moisture, helps with surface skin cell turnover and regeneration, and exfoliates to remove dull skin.
It’s also fragrance-free and doesn’t contain synthetic dyes.
Best brightening retinol cream
Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, wild gooseberry extract
- Retinol concentration: not specified
If you’re looking to reduce the appearance of dark spots, this lightweight retinol cream may be the solution for you. It contains vitamin C, which is known to have brightening properties.
There’s also hyaluronic acid to keep your skin moisturized while fighting the effects of aging.
Best retinol cream for acne
Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3% Retinol +2% Bakuchiol Treatment
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: retinol, bakuchiol extract, peptides
- Retinol concentration: 0.30%
This treatment multitasks when it comes to fighting acne and the effects of aging. Medium-strength 0.3% retinol and 2% bakuchiol extract work to reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles and large-looking pores, while peptides promote healthy collagen and improved firmness.
Bakuchiol is known to be one of the few ingredients that can stabilize retinol so that it can work more effectively at a lower and gentler concentration.
Best retinol cream for wrinkles
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: retinol, magnesium, zinc, copper
- Retinol concentration: not specified
The primary ingredient in this night cream is retinol, which works to visibly reduce the appearance of deep wrinkles. This cream is noncomedogenic.
The cream is formulated with magnesium, zinc, and copper, which work to stimulate collagen production in your skin. The formula may help boost firmness and minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
Best budget retinol cream
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Skin type: dry, sensitive
- Key ingredients: retinol, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Retinol concentration: not specified
If you’re more prone to retinol’s side effects, this budget-friendly, fragrance-free serum might be the ticket.
This CeraVe product features time-released, encapsulated retinol, which works to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Its moisturizing ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid) are continually released and help reduce irritation while also working to reduce signs of aging.
Best retinol night cream
Skinbetter Science Intensive AlphaRet Overnight Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: retinol, alpha hydroxy acids
- Retinol concentration: not specified
Although this cream is a bit of a splurge, the investment is well worth it thanks to the hard work it puts in overnight (all without irritating your skin). It’s also a favorite of Kseniya Kobets, MD, the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein in Elmsford, New York. She says it has many other great active ingredients, so it’s less likely to irritate your skin, and is as effective as prescription tretinoin.
The active ingredients of retinol and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) (including glycolic acid) work to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. The formula also provides moisture and a dose of antioxidants.
Best vegan retinol cream
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
- Skin type: dry, sensitive
- Key ingredients: vitamin F, retinol, peptides
- Retinol concentration: 1%
If you prefer skin care products that incorporate all-natural ingredients, this fragrance-free cream from Drunk Elephant contains a vegan form of retinol (meaning it’s plant derived and doesn’t come from any animal sources).
It includes nourishing ingredients like vitamin F and a triple-peptide blend.
This product aims to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, sun damage, and deep wrinkles.
Best retinol cream for neck
L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Pressed Night Cream
- Skin type: all
- Key ingredients: retinol, niacinamide, glycerin
- Retinol concentration: not specified
This night cream uses retinol and niacinamide to help visibly reduce wrinkles, brighten and even out skin tone, and deeply moisturize.
What makes it unique is that the retinol, niacinamide, and nourishing oils are freshly pressed into the cream, making it a deeply hydrating yet lightweight formula. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol soothe the skin and prevent irritation.
The cream can be used on your face, neck, and chest.
Best retinol eye cream
First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream
- Skin type: dry, combination, oily
- Key ingredients: retinol, hyaluronic acid
- Retinol concentration: not specified
Not all retinol products can safely be used around your eyes. However, this cream is specially formulated to be used around the sensitive eye area.
The retinol in the cream works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The fragrance-free formula helps boost elasticity while working against dark circles and puffiness and the hyaluronic acid helps keep the skin extra moisturized.
Best retinol cream for beginners
Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream
- Skin type: dry, sensitive
- Key ingredients: retinol, bakuchiol, grapeseed oil, allantoin, and Acmella oleracea extract
- Retinol concentration: 0.10%
At only 0.1% retinol, this cream is gentle enough for people with sensitive skin and those totally new to the world of retinol.
Still, even with a low retinol concentration, it works to reduce the appearance of fine lines while also hydrating skin. Antioxidant-rich bakuchiol helps boost retinol’s effects without irritating, and grapeseed oil, allantoin, and Acmella oleracea (aka electric daisy) extract all help to further soothe the skin.
How retinol works
According to Kobets, retinol works by acting through receptors on the skin to:
- decrease oil production in the skin
- stimulate collagen production
- improve the glow of the skin by increasing the skin cell turnover
Retinol also promotes rapid skin cell division, which builds up the protective top layer of your skin.
As you age, the natural production of collagen and elastic fibers that lift your skin starts to slow down, giving way to wrinkles, sunspots, and other skin damage, which is where products like retinol can be a remedy.
Benefits of retinol cream
There are various benefits to using a topical retinoid on the skin, Kobets says.
“Since topical retinoids increase the skin cell turnover of the skin, they increase the glow and smoothness of the skin,” she says. “Moreover, topical retinoids can also help penetration of other active ingredients like topical lightening creams.”
Retinol creams also can provide a host of skin-clearing and aging support, including:
- increasing the thickness and elasticity of your skin
- slowing the production of melanin
- reducing inflammation
- preventing clogged pores
“Retinol can also treat mild scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” Kobets adds. “Another great benefit is collagen production from topical retinoid use over time.”
It’s important to note that retinol can make your skin more sensitive to sun exposure. You may burn more easily, which can lead to more skin damage.
As such, it’s important to wear sunscreen and protective clothing and accessories, such as hats, when exercising or spending extended time outdoors while using retinol products.
How to shop for a retinol cream
As with most skin care products, not all retinol creams are created equal. Key ingredients to look for include tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene, Kobets says.
Additionally, it’s often not recommended to use retinol with certain other skin care products, such as acne treatments that contain prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin. Adding retinol to this regimen will lead to excessive and unnecessary irritation.
Your dermatologist can confirm whether you’re a good candidate for retinol creams at all since they may be too rough on sensitive skin or conditions like eczema and rosacea. Once you’ve gotten the all-clear, consider the following factors when shopping.
Concentration
Retinol comes in strengths ranging from 0.0015% to 1% or higher. Many creams fall in the middle of this range, at around 0.1% to 0.3%. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety suggests that 0.3% is the maximum safe concentration for face or hand creams.
If you’re trying a retinol cream for the first time, or if you have dry skin, it’s best to start with a mild product. This is because retinol can cause irritation. The stronger the product, the more likely it is to cause irritation.
Don’t forget to do a patch test when testing it out to confirm that it’s a good match. To do a patch test, you’ll apply a small amount of the cream on the inside of your wrist and wait 24 hours. If you notice any signs of irritation or an allergic reaction — like swelling or a rash — do not continue using the product.
Cost
In addition to doing your research on the retinol creams out there, keep your budget in mind. You likely won’t want a product that will break the bank, especially if you’re unsure how your skin will respond to it.
Your dermatologist can make recommendations for solid OTC options, too.
Ingredients
Talk with your dermatologist about ingredients to look for or avoid. How different additives affect skin will vary from person to person.
This can save you a lot of stress before shelling out cash on a product that may have unpleasant side effects.
Skin type
There are a few different ways to determine your skin type. To monitor how your skin performs during the day (whether it feels oily, looks shiny, flakes or feels tight, itchy, or irritated), do a wash test with a mild cleanser and see how your skin feels after 30 minutes. Or you can visit a dermatologist for an examination and consultation.
Determining your skin type before using retinol is important because if you have allergies or sensitive skin, retinol may prove to be too potent and may irritate your skin further.
When to see a dermatologist about retinol creams
The side effects of retinol can include:
- dry or irritated skin
- itching or burning
- redness
- peeling, flaky, or scaly skin
You can manage these side effects, and make the most of pro-aging skin care products, by doing the following:
- Use only one retinol product at a time.
- Slowly build your way up to daily use, such as by using it every other day or every 2 days.
- Wait 30 minutes after washing your face to apply retinol creams.
- Limit sun exposure, always use sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and wear protective clothing and accessories outdoors.
It can be helpful to talk with your dermatologist or another healthcare professional about how to use retinol as part of your skin care routine to minimize the occurrence of side effects. Be sure to contact them if you experience a severe reaction or if you’re not seeing results.
“If you experience more intense redness or flaking, or if it persists even if you have stopped using the product, then it’s important to see your dermatologist,” Katta adds.
Takeaway
Retinol creams are a popular skin care product that may help with signs of aging and acne if used with care and caution.
Because not everyone’s skin will react the same way, be sure to talk with your doctor before starting a retinol regimen. A retinol cream may be a successful skin care solution for you — just be sure to do your research to make sure you’re using the right product for your skin type.