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We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team (and that of our sister team at the Good Housekeeping Institute).
If you want to maintain a youthful complexion, there’s one ingredient dermatologists will always stand by: retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives that help improve skin cell turnover.
Translation: “When you apply a retinoid, you’re constantly exfoliating the top layers of skin,” says Meera Sivendran, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Penn Medicine in Pennsylvania. So if you don’t already have a retinol cream or serum in your skincare lineup, now’s the time to add one.
The best retinoids can also help you achieve
many skincare goals like preventing (and smoothing) fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture, getting rid of age spots, and unclogging pores to keep
stubborn blackheads and whiteheads away.
“Almost everyone can benefit from implementing [retinol] or prescription retinoids into their routine. Retinols and retinoids aid in cellular renewal which also can indirectly boost collagen production over time,
contribute to a brighter, more evenly pigmented complexion, and improve skin tone,” says Libby Rhee, M.D., dermatology Advisor for
Ro Derm and founder of Liora Dermatology & Aesthetics.
The problem is that you typically need a prescription to get your hands on one. That’s where retinol creams and serums come in—a type of retinoid that is most often available over-the-counter (OTC). These retinol products usually aren’t as potent as their prescription-strength counterparts, so they will generally deliver less dramatic effects. That simply means they take a bit longer to work.
However, prescription-strength retinoids are often more irritating to the skin than an OTC retinol, says Dr. Sivendran, and can cause dryness, irritated, red skin, or even slight peeling. Trying out an OTC retinol cream or serum first is a great way to get some of the anti-aging benefits for fewer side effects.
How we chose the best retinol creams and serums
We consulted Dr. Sivendran, Dr. Rhee, Lady Dy, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Illinois and founder of the Dy Dermatology Cente, Melanie Palm, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical professor at Scripps Encinitas Memorial Hospital in California, as well as gathered top picks from Erum Ilyas, M.D., board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia, Mona Gohara, M.D., assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine and co-creator of MELĒ skincare, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City in previously reported Prevention stories, the Good Housekeeping Institute who tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item, and countless customer reviews to find the best retinol creams and serums for healthier skin.
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Best Overall
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum No7
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Best Drugstore Pick
Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream RoC
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Best Retinol With SPF
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF 30 Neutrogena
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Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Differin
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Resurfacing Retinol Serum CeraVe
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Best Overall
No7
Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Best Drugstore Pick
RoC
Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Best Retinol With SPF
Neutrogena
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Moisturizer SPF 30
Best for Acne-Prone Skin
Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Best for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Best for Brightening
Eau Thermale Avène
RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream
Olay
Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Moisturizer
Best for All Skin Types
SkinCeuticals
Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Treatment
Best for Wrinkles
Lancer
Advanced Retinol Treatment Serum
Best for Nighttime Use
Naturopathica
Argan & Retinol Wrinkle Repair Night Cream
La Roche-Posay
Retinol B3 Serum
2020 HEALTHY BEAUTY AWARDS WINNER
PCA SKIN
Intensive Age Refining Treatment
Neutrogena
Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Power Serum
L’Oréal Paris
Revitalift Retinol Serum
Shani Darden Skin Care
Retinol Reform
SkinMedica
Retinol 0.25 Complex
Dermalogica
Retinol Clearing Oil
Drunk Elephant
A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Replenix
RetinolForte 3x Treatment Serum
How to choose (and use) the best retinol cream or serum
✔️ Look for moisturizers. Because retinol can be drying, look for a cream or serum that also includes moisturizing ingredients—such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and shea butter—to boost moisture and minimize irritation.
✔️ Start slow. When you first start using a retinol product, expect to have dry flaky skin during the first one or two weeks, particularly around your eyes, nose, and mouth, says Dr. Sivendran. After that, your skin should adapt. Start by first applying a pea-sized amount every other night. Still too much? Drop back to every third night. Eventually, you can work up to nightly use once you know your complexion can handle it.
✔️ Don’t forget SPF. Retinol makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, especially if you decide to use one during the day. If you don’t protect your face with sunscreen, you may be setting yourself up for more damage like burning or discoloration in the long run. You should always use SPF during the day, even if you applied your retinol cream at night. Seeing a dermatologist can also help you get on the right regimen for your skincare concerns, but there are many OTC brands that make a good retinol product, says Dr. Dy. Here are the best OTC retinol face products you can try, all available without a prescription.
Additional reporting by Krissy Brady
Jessica Migala Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more.
Shauna Beni Shauna Beni is the Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention.