15 Best Retinol Products

July 4, 2018 by Esha Saxena

If you’ve ever found yourself stressing over fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and skin discoloration – it’s time you give it a rest. The closest thing to magic for reducing all your skin issues while improving the overall health and beauty of your skin is the much-talked-about ingredient called ‘Retinol.’ This Vitamin A derivative helps to unclog pores, reduce fine lines, and boost collagen. It’s hands down the gold standard component of the beauty industry. Here are your options for the most popular and best Retinol products that you can add to your skin care routine – and these don’t require a prescription!

Best Retinol Creams And Products That You Should Try For Acne And Wrinkles

1. SkinMedica Retinol Complex

Pros

Hygienic dispensing
Gentle yet effective
Non-irritating
Overnight results
Appropriate for all skin types

Cons

Pricey

SkinMedica Retinol Complex Review

SkinMedica’s Retinol Complex comes in three different concentrations – 0.25, 0.5, and 1. It’s always best to start off with the lowest concentration of retinol if you’ve never used it before. This product enhances your skin tone, its texture, and resiliency. It also helps in diminishing the appearance of fine lines and coarse wrinkles. This is less harsh than other retinol creams and serums and will give you results almost immediately. It’s best to use as a night time moisturizer. If you want something that is 100% effective, this is highly recommended!

Rating: 5/5

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2. Clark’s Botanicals Retinol Rescue Overnight Cream

Pros

Soothes and treats irritated skin
Great for aging, drying, and stressed skin
Increases cell turnover to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
Paraben, sulfate, and gluten-free
Cruelty-free

Cons

Expensive
May not suit overly sensitive skin

Clark’s Botanicals Retinol Rescue Overnight Cream Review

This Retinol Rescue overnight treatment infuses moisture, evens skin tone with its marine extract, and fights free radicals with its Jasmine Absolute and Vitamin E content. It’s best known for its anti-aging benefits which use retinol to target the most visible signs of aging by replenishing dehydrated skin. If you have already used retinol treatments in the past, you could give this night cream a chance as it is quite strong and free from parabens. But, if you are new to retinol, this may not be a suitable option to start off with.

Rating: 5/5

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3. La Roche-Posay Redermic R With Retinol

Pros

Lightweight texture that absorbs quickly
Contains time-released retinol
Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots
Does not irritate skin
Fairly hydrating

Cons

Contains fragrance
Does not include antioxidants

La Roche-Posay Redermic R With Retinol Review

This retinol treatment by La Roche makes for a great bed-time moisturizer. Redermic R contains two forms of Vitamin A – Retinol and Retinyl Linoleate, which have time and again proven to reduce wrinkles. This moisturizer boosts the production of collagen, which results in firmer skin and accelerates cellular turnover – so all your old and dull skin cells are replaced by new ones. This one is more suitable for dry skin because it contains ingredients like glycerin to replenish the skin’s moisture.

Rating: 5/5

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4. Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Prescription Strength Retinoid Acne Treatment

Pros

Very effective
Unclogs pores and promotes skin cell turnover
Works well against blackheads, whiteheads, and active acne
Improves skin’s texture and tone
Free of alcohol, fragrance, and oil

Cons

Your skin may get worse before you start to see improvement
Not recommended for those who are new to retinol

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Prescription Strength Retinoid Acne Treatment Review

Differin Gel contains Adapalene as the key ingredient. This chemical is used to treat acne, and it actually works wonders in this area. Besides combating acne, it helps to restore your skin’s texture and even out skin tone. It’s mostly recommended by dermatologists to their patients dealing with breakouts and acne. This gel is going to be stronger than other retinol products you’ve used before, so you need to use this with caution. If you have never used retinol before, you need to work your way up to actually using this hardcore product.

Rating: 5/5

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5. SkinCeuticals Retinol Cream

Pros

Comes in three varied concentrations
Makes skin softer and smoother
Improves appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Treats acne
Absorbs quickly

Cons

Has an unpleasant fragrance
The high concentration of retinol may irritate the skin if used frequently

SkinCeuticals Retinol Cream Review

SkinCeuticals Retinol cream is ideal for problematic and sun-damaged skin that has been preconditioned with the use of retinol beforehand. This night cream diminishes the appearance of fine lines, discoloration, and wrinkles while minimizing breakouts and the appearance of pores. It’s best to start with the 0.5 compositions of retinol and work your way up to 1. Follow it up with a moisturizer if you have extremely sensitive skin and you will see visible improvement.

Rating: 5/5

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6. Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion

Pros

Lightweight and absorbs quickly
Fragrance-free
Provides moisture and does not clog pores
Helps diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars
Keeps acne at bay

Cons

Contains parabens
Preservatives in the lotion may cause some irritation if you have very sensitive skin

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion Review

This skin perfecting lotion by Murad is meant to be applied before bedtime. It’s phenomenal for reducing acne and providing hydration to your skin. With regular use, you can see an evident improvement in skin tone. If you have really oily skin, this helps in reducing oil production and stabilizing uneven areas of your skin. Do give this a try!

Rating: 5/5

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7. Eve Lom Time Retreat Radiance Boost

Pros

Effective and provides fast results
Multi-purpose
Fairly gentle on the skin
Suitable for all skin types

Cons

Expensive
It has a fragrance

Eve Lom Time Retreat Radiance Boost Review

This powerhouse of a booster clarifies your skin, leaving it glowing. It helps in improving the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while getting rid of acne, acne scars, skin discoloration, and age spots. If you want extra radiance and a luminous glow, this product does an excellent job to provide your skin with some much-needed radiance. Although it’s a little too expensive, this is worth a shot!

Rating: 4.9/5

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8. Philosophy Help Me Retinol Night Treatment

Pros

Lightweight and non-greasy
Softens and soothes skin
Diminishes fine lines and wrinkles
Helps minimize pores
Suits all skin types

Cons

Medicinal scent
Thick consistency

Philosophy Help Me Retinol Night Treatment Review

This retinol treatment is an anti-aging night cream with a time-release formula. It does not irritate even the most sensitive skin. It’s best to use this product alone without any follow up products for the most effective results. A little goes a long way, and it successfully reduces the appearance of scars and unclogs pores.

Rating: 4.9/5

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9. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum With Retinol

Pros

Uses retinol as its key ingredients
Contains ingredients that soothe rather than cause any kind of irritation, as is the case with most retinol based products
Effective and fast-acting
Affordable and reasonably priced

Cons

If you have super sensitive skin, it may cause some flakiness initially
Has a fragrance

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum With Retinol Review

This serum by Neutrogena Contains retinol; glucose complex, which is a retinol booster; and hyaluronic acid, which helps to hydrate and moisturize your skin. It’s a silky serum which is light and has a fresh scent. It absorbs into your skin with ease and begins its work almost instantly. If you have crow’s feet, this serum will improve the appearance, and they won’t look as prominent in just about a week’s nightly use. If you have sensitive skin, you need to keep it to twice a week.

Rating: 4.9/5

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10. Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM

Pros

Improves skin texture
Lightweight and non-greasy
Goes on smoothly
Improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots

Cons

Difficult to use due to its watery consistency
Takes time to show results

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Review

This serum has a watery consistency, and it absorbs quickly into your skin. You can follow it up with a moisturizer on top, and it’s fairly mess-free. The bottle lasts forever as you only need a few drops, and that goes a long way. It does result in noticeable changes within a few weeks, leaving you with an improved and much smoother skin texture. It’s suitable for all skin types.

Rating: 4.8/5

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11. ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream

Pros

Contains a high concentration of retinol
Contains glycolic acid to provide moisture
Minerals increase skin cells overturn
Works for all skin types
Oil-free

Cons

High retinol levels aren’t suitable for beginners
Slight irritation after application

ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream Review

This Retinol cream by ROC contains retinol, zinc, copper, magnesium, and glycolic acid. It’s an award-winning formula that will leave you with an even skin tone and will also keep your acne at bay. The thin, white formula comes in an airtight aluminum tube, which prevents the retinol inside from degrading. It has a slightly medicinal scent and tingles when applied, but that is due to the ingredients present in the cream. However, this will give you guaranteed results in improving the overall appearance of your skin.

Rating: 4.7/5

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12. Kate Somerville Retasphere Retinol Night Cream

Pros

Gentle and non-irritating
Helps to smoothen and brighten your skin
Makes your skin tighter and plumper
Great packaging

Cons

Not moisturizing enough
Expensive

Kate Somerville Retasphere Retinol Night Cream Review

This cream is designed to gently infuse your skin with pure retinol and sustained hydration. It does an effective job of improving the appearance of wrinkles, evening out skin tone and texture, and helps in uncovering a revitalized complexion. The cream is a thick, non-greasy formula that does not over-dry your skin. It exfoliates and hydrates well and is suitable for all skin types.

Rating: 4.7/5

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13. Obagi360 Retinol 1.0

Pros

Diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
Minimizes size of pores and cures uneven skin tone
Has a high concentration of retinol and is still fairly gentle
Fast-acting results

Cons

Has an unpleasant smell
Not for retinol beginners

Obagi360 Retinol 1.0 Review

The Obagi360 Retinol 1.0 contains 1% of retinol, which is very high, so if you think your skin can handle that kind of dose, go for it! It contains bisabolol, jojoba seed oil, sage leaf extract, and shea butter besides the retinol, and is suitable for all skin types. However, this cream is for those who have already used retinol in the past, owing to its high concentration. It’s time-released, which makes it rather gentle for your skin. Definitely give this a try!

Rating: 4.6/5

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14. Bioelements Oil Control Sleepwear

Pros

Highly effective in controlling oil production
Lightweight and absorbs easily into the skin
Improves skin texture and appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Good for oily and combination skin type

Cons

Not great at combating acne
Fairly gentle

Bioelements Oil Control Sleepwear Review

This night cream by Bioelements works very well as a night treatment for your skin issues. Its active ingredients Include retinol, peptides, calcium, and vitamin E. It improves your skin significantly, and if you are struggling with oily skin, this is something you will absolutely love!

Rating: 4.5/5

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15. Advanced Clinicals Retinol Cream

Pros

Paraben-free
Affordable
Gentle and non-irritating
A powerful anti-aging formula that diminishes wrinkles and blemishes.
Suitable for all skin types

Cons

Takes time to work
Not suitable for those who have used higher doses of retinol in the past as this may be way too gentle

Advanced Clinicals Retinol Cream Review

This formula Contains retinol and glycerin, and is gentle enough to be used on arms and hands as well. It helps in reducing dark circles and puffy eyes. It also smoothens uneven skin patches and gives you even-toned, more radiant looking skin. However, this cream falls under the slow firing category, so if you have a lot of patience and don’t want to opt for a hard-hitting, quick formulas, this will suit your needs.

Rating: 4.5/5

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*Product prices may vary

*Subject to Availability

Tips And Precautions To Be Followed While Choosing And Using Retinol Products

If you’re a retinol rookie, there are certain things you must keep in mind to pick the best retinol product and use it the right way. Let’s go over some quick guidelines to help you with your decision.
Firstly, it’s important to choose a product from a trustworthy and reputable brand.
It’s also essential to look for the amount of concentration of retinol. You can get a concentration as low as 0.01% and as high as 2% retinol. Low concentrations are great for beginners, and once you get your skin accustomed to it, you can gradually increase the percentage of concentration.
You need to be patient and take retinol slowly. Experts suggest applying it every third day, at least for the first two weeks, until your skin gets the hang of it. Also, it’s best to stick to a pea-sized amount before bedtime. Sunlight can destabilize its effectiveness and can cause more harm than good.
It’s extremely important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF daily, especially because your skin becomes extra-sensitive to sunlight when you subject it to retinol.
There are side effects that you may face, such as dryness and irritation, redness and swelling, but if you start at a lower concentration, moisturize properly, and keep yourself hydrated, you can minimize these side effects.
Finally, retinol may worsen your skin condition at first because it makes it flaky and facilitates the shedding of the outer layer of the skin. But ultimately, it improves the texture and tone of your skin. The side effects are rather natural, but if they get out of hand, please visit a dermatologist.

That was our pick of the 15 best-over the-counter retinol products. Have you ever tried any of these creams and serums? What was your experience with retinol? Share with us in the comments!

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

What are the three best retinol products for acne-prone skin?

Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Facial Night Acne Cream, Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Prescription Strength Retinoid Acne Treatment, and SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream are great options for those of you dealing with acne and breakouts. These creams are specially formulated to keep acne at bay and also fight active acne.

What are the best anti-aging retinol products?

Eve Lom Time Retreat Radiance Boost, Obagi360 Retinol 1.0, and SkinMedica Retinol Complex do wonders for improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.

What are the best retinol products for sensitive skin?

Advanced Clinicals Retinol Cream, La Roche-Posay Redermic R with Retinol, and SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.25 are fairly mild and gentle. If you have sensitive, touchy skin, these products will fit your needs better. It’s also best to use the lowest concentration of retinol to minimize side effects.

I have dry skin, what are the best retinol products for my skin type?

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion, Clark’s Botanicals Retinol Rescue Overnight Cream, and Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum With Retinol are great for dry skin as these also consist of moisturizing ingredients to hydrate and nourish your skin from within.