We Tested the Top Retinol Skincare Products for 12 Weeks—These Are the Only Ones We'd Buy (2024)

• Our Picks

• How We Tested

• What to Look For

• What Is Retinol?

• How to Use

• Benefits

• FAQ

• Why Trust Verywell Health

Not all retinol products are made with the same ingredients. For example, Shani Darden retinol serum contains encapsulated retinol, which offers all the anti-aging benefits of retinol without irritation. In skin care products, encapsulatingactive ingredients in skin care refers to the carrying system, which improves stability. For beginners or people with sensitive skin, that’s something to look for because it lessens the chances of irritation.

This serum was created by esthetician Shani Darden, who has quite the following, as does her line of skin care products. Her retinol serum combines retinol and lactic acid to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, dullness, and blemishes. During the 12-week testing period, our editor with dry, acne-prone skin noticed fewer breakouts, softer skin, shrunken pores, and increased plumpness. The only cons we could find were the price and smell, but these aren’t deal-breakers.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Retinol, AHA, apple Extract | Product type: Serum | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Benefits: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles | Suggested Use: Apply 1–2 pumps before your moisturizer, as often as your skin can tolerate}

If you like to keep your skincare routine simple, you can try a retinol cream like this one, which can also replace your moisturizer. It contains a co*cktail of beneficial active ingredients, including retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and green tea. Though it’s packed with antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients, we found it has a lightweight consistency and feels like a normal moisturizer, so it’s easy for beginners to incorporate.

Our editor with dry, sensitive skin had great results with this budget-friendly pick. It improved the appearance of fine lines and dark spots and contributed to brighter, softer skin overall. Plus, irritation was non-existent. Keep in mind that as with any retinol product, you might experience an uptick in breakouts when you first start using it, but this is a common side effect known as skin purging that improves with time.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, green tea | Product type: Cream | Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Benefits: Reduces the appearance of fine lines and acne | Suggested Use: Use as a moisturizer, gradually increasing the frequency of use as your skin acclimates to it}

After using retinol for some time, you may be ready for something a little stronger. You have a few options: you could slowly incorporate more concentrated retinol products, see your dermatologist for a prescription, or give retinaldehyde a try. Like retinol, retinaldehyde is a form of vitamin A, but it’s much stronger. Because it’s so strong, this cream serum only has a concentration of 0.05%, with the option to increase to 0.10% later down the road.

We didn’t experience any significant improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but we found it smoothed and evened out skin tone and texture and resulted in a more glowing, dewy look. We did run into some dryness during the testing period, but that was easily sorted by mixing this product with some moisturizer, which is recommended for dry, sensitive skin anyway.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Retinaldehyde | Product type: Cream serum | Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Benefits: Brightens and firms skin | Suggested Use: Apply to skin before your moisturizer, carefully avoiding the eye area}

Several dermatologists we spoke to took a liking to Youth To The People serum. “It contains a type of retinol called retinaldehyde as well as niacinamide that will aid skin’s overall health and increase collagen production, which will, in turn, reduce signs of fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. It’s also a good choice for brightening skin tone, Dr. Ansell adds.

We liked the serum because it resulted in visibly smaller pores, fewer dark spots and breakouts, and brighter skin—all without the dreaded purging. Irritation from retinol is common, but if you have sensitive skin, you might want to watch out for the niacinamide in this serum, which is known to be irritating to sensitive skin.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Retinaldehyde, niacinamide, ceramides, adaptogenic mushrooms | Product type: Serum | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Benefits: Fights fine lines, wrinkles, acne, and uneven texture | Suggested Use: Apply a pea-sized amount to clean skin at night, starting once per week and gradually increasing frequency}

Marianna Blyumin-Karasik, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in Davie, Florida describes this serum as a co*cktail of bakuchiol, adaptogenic plant extracts, and plumping peptides. “These combine to generate collagen and elastin to smooth lines and soften wrinkles,” she says. After testing it ourselves, we agree. The serum reduced the appearance of fine lines and also evened out skin tone and texture.

There were some small caveats, however. We experienced some skin purging in the form of small breakouts. Both bakuchiol and retinol increase skin cell turnover, which contributes to its anti-aging effects but can also cause the skin to purge. It also had a strong, unpleasant smell. In the end, we’d still recommend and use this serum.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Bakuchiol, peptides | Product type: Serum | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Benefits: Reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and dryness while increasing firmness and elasticity | Suggested Use: Apply 1-2 pumps nightly before moisturizing}

Like our best overall pick, this retinol booster is formulated with encapsulated retinol. “This type of retinol helps stabilize the product and release the retinol slowly to reduce irritation,” explains Dr. Ansell. We didn’t experience any irritation despite the 1% concentration of retinol, though there was a small bit of purging. Once you get past the purging window, though, the booster can actually keep breakouts at bay, so it’s just a matter of waiting it out.

This product is intended as a booster you can mix with your moisturizer, but it’s also substantial enough to use on its own. We liked the serum-like consistency and found that it didn’t pill and absorbed nicely into the skin. Our editor with dry skin experienced less dry, flaky skin while testing this product and felt there was a boost of glow and radiance. We like the addition of peptides and ceramides, which are good for those with anti-aging goals in mind. It also contains licorice extract, a known brightening and depigmenting agent.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, peptides, licorice | Product type: Booster | Size: 0.5 fluid ounce | Benefits: Improves loss of firmness to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles | Suggested Use: Apply 2-3 drops to the face, and finish with a moisturizer}

Whether you have sensitive skin or are currently pregnant, you might wish you could reap the benefits of retinol without the side effects. Bakuchiol is a popular alternative to retinol because it’s gentle, plant-based, and shares many of the same benefits. Like retinol, it’s been shown to improve wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, but it’s more tolerable.

Retinol and bakuchiol are both antioxidants, which means they fend off free radical damage and help brighten dull skin and dark spots. This booster only contains two simple ingredients—squalane and bakuchiol—so it moisturizes and helps improve skin texture. Due to the 99% concentration of squalane, some may find the consistency a bit oily, but those with dry skin are sure to love it. We enjoyed the moisturizing feel and found it lived up to the promise of smoother, firmer skin.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Squalane, bakuchiol | Product type: Oil | Size: 0.5 fluid ounces | Benefits: Increases collagen and smooths out texture | Suggested Use: Mix 2-3 drops into your nighttime serum or moisturizer each evening}

Every dermatologist we spoke to was a fan of this retinol serum. It’s made by CeraVe, so it contains a trio of ceramides to support skin barrier function. It also packs brightening licorice, pore-refining niacinamide, and of course, anti-aging retinol.

“This retinol is sophisticated and nurturing,” says Dr. Blyumin-Karasik, who raved about its benefits for skin barrier health, acne, pigmentation, and collagen production. Since it contains encapsulated retinol, it’s a gentle choice for those with sensitive skin, Dr. Ansell adds.

While retinol is often associated with improving fine lines, wrinkles, and acne, there’s more to it than that. We felt this one improved skin tone and brightened pigmented areas during the testing period. Our editor with some acne marks noticed an improvement in skin tone and texture. It didn’t really target fine lines and wrinkles, but if toning down some pigmented spots is your priority, this one’s for you.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide, ceramides, licorice | Product type: Serum | Size: 1 fluid ounce | Benefits: Reduces acne and supports skin barrier function | Suggested Use: Use daily prior to moisturizing; apply sunscreen if using during the daytime}

Retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid are three of the most popular skincare active ingredients, and this moisturizer contains all of them. “This medley of ingredients will help brighten, hydrate, and plump the skin,” says Dr. Graf. “It will also help combat the signs of aging.” Dr. Graf also likes that this is a fragrance-free option that’s gentle on the skin, so it may be a good choice for those with dry, sensitive skin.

Our editor with combination skin enjoyed the consistency of this moisturizer and didn’t have issues with dryness or oiliness. It improved hydration levels but didn’t do much in terms of anti-aging. For people who’ve used retinol before, we like it better as a moisturizing cream than a retinol treatment. If you’re brand new to retinol, this is a great place to start.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C | Product type: Cream | Size: 1.7 fluid ounces | Benefits: Brightens skin tone and firm wrinkles | Suggested Use: Apply to face and neck after cleansing}

Facial oils are a great way to trap moisture in your skin. They tend to have a larger molecule size, which creates a moisturizing seal around the skin. This is why it’s important to apply oils last in your skincare routine—even if they contain retinol as this Pixi oil does. It's a popular product, and after testing it for 12 weeks, we agree that it's worth the hype.

Our editor with dehydrated skin used this at night and woke up to great-looking skin. It softened and smoothed skin, and it even improved some under-eye darkness, which we all know is no easy task. While we weren’t crazy about the smell and did notice some signs of purging, we like this solid, budget-friendly option as an affordable entry into retinol products.

^{Key Specs:
Ingredients: Retinol, ceramides, peptides | Product type: Oil | Size: 1.01 fluid ounces | Benefits: Smooths out uneven skin tone | Suggested Use: Press a few drops onto clean skin before moisturizing}

How We Rated the Best Retinols

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do dermatologists recommend retinol?

  Yes, dermatologists generally recommend retinol. It’s the gold standard in skin care for anti-aging and acne, but it’s not for everyone. People with sensitive or very dry skin, as well as those who are pregnant or breastfeeding and individuals with skin conditions like eczema or rosacea, may need to seek a gentler alternative. If your skin can tolerate retinol, stick with it.

• What percentage of retinol is best?

  It’s best to begin using retinol at a low concentration. Start with a 0.25% retinol or 0.05% retinaldehyde to gently introduce it to your skin. You can gradually increase the percentage over time or work with a dermatologist to get a prescription-strength retinoid. Even at low concentrations, retinol can improve the signs of aging and acne.

• Should you put on moisturizer or retinol first?

  Retinol goes before moisturizer. You can apply it after cleansing, but always seal it in with a moisturizer or facial oil. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you can sandwich retinol between two layers of moisturizer.

• Can you use retinol every day?

  Once you’ve built up a tolerance to retinol, you can use it every night. However, don’t be too eager. You should start by using retinol once or twice a week. In time, you can slowly add one extra day per week, although this depends on how your skin tolerates retinol. You can use retinol nightly once you’ve gotten used to it.