Ready to Give Retinol a Go? Here Are Our Favorite Retinol Products for Every Skin Type
Retinol and retinoids are two of the few skincare ingredients with a devoted following, and for good reason. The vitamin A derivative reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, clears up acne and dark spots, and smoothes out any skin texture. “Retinol is perhaps the best-studied ingredient we have over the counter to fight the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” New York City–based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, tells IPSY. The potent anti-aging skincare reaches deep under your skin for long-lasting effects, too. “As retinol thickens the skin, it also helps you fight off future wrinkles,” Dr. Zeichner adds.
To fully embrace the benefits of retinol—and keep side effects like dryness and irritation at bay—remember to start gradually, keep skin moisturized, and follow application instructions correctly. “Some forms of retinol are not stable in UV light, which makes evening application and morning SPF important,” says Dr. Zeichner. Finding an option that works for you is also key, so we’ve rounded up the best retinol products to address every need, from dry skin to advanced dark spot treatments. Keep scrolling for our tested-and-true retinol picks.
Meet the Expert
Joshua Zeichner, MD, is a New York City-based dermatologist. He is the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
1. The Best Low-Maintenance Retinol Moisturizer:
KATE SOMERVILLE® +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer
If you like to keep your skincare minimal, you’ll love this nighttime moisturizer that combines both retinol and vitamin C to give you a smooth and bright complexion (without leaving your skin feeling like the desert). We love its light, citrusy smell and creamy texture, and found this product works well on sensitive skin.
2. The Best Retinol for Beginners:
LANEIGE Retinol Firming Treatment Cream
Perfect for beginners, this retinol treatment is gentle yet effective. We love the youthful glow this cream gives us, and reviewers agree they’re left with a plump, healthy look. “I noticed a HUGE difference in the fine lines on my forehead, by my eyes, and by my smile lines,” said one. “All of them are firm, but look bouncy.”
3. The Best Plant-Based Retinol:
THE NUE CO. Skin Filter AHA Phyto-Retinol Serum
For a more natural approach, try this plant-based serum filled with ingredients like bakuchiol and rambutan, which help smooth and refine. A touch of AHAs help brighten and even out your skin, while hyaluronic acid ensures your skin stays hydrated and plump. We like applying this serum right after cleansing and following with a nourishing moisturizer for fresh, dewy skin.
4. The Best Retinol for Sensitive Skin:
SUNDAY RILEY Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Retinol is notoriously skin-irritating, but this facial oil keeps skin calm with a blend of chamomile, blue tansy, and blue azulene—ensuring you’ll wake up with a fresh glow instead of splotchy skin. We loved the smooth application of this oil too, and found it didn’t leave us feeling greasy or oily. We can’t get enough of the youthful glow it gives us, either, and Ipsters agree: “This night oil has taken a decade off of my face,” one reviewer wrote. If you have sensitive skin, this night oil is a great way to incorporate retinol into your routine.
5. The Best Retinol for Dark Spots:
KATE SOMERVILLE® +Retinol Vita C Power Serum Firming & Brightening Treatment
With a combination of powerhouse ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, this serum works to nix dark spots left over from acne, UV damage, and more. We love the silky feel this product gives us, but what we love even more is how soft and radiant it leaves our skin looking. The best part? We found this serum works quicker to reduce dark spots than others, so results come fast.
6. The Best Retinol for Advanced Retinol Users:
MURAD Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
If you’re already well-versed in retinol, try this powerhouse anti-aging formula, infused with not one, not two, but three types of retinol. Each focuses on a different issue: One softens the appearance of wrinkles, one is time-released for a long-lasting plumping effect, and one is a retinol booster to enhance the cream’s overall effectiveness. Reviews claim it’s “worth every penny,” and users—from ages 36 to 70—report the product gives them drastically younger looking skin.
7. The Best Budget Retinol Buy:
NIP + FAB Retinol Fix Eye Treatment
For more targeted areas—like dark circles and smile lines—we love this budget-friendly eye treatment. Safe to use on sensitive skin, this cream mixes a retinol complex, bakuchiol, vitamin C, and peptides to give you a bright and even skin tone (and texture). “No itching, no swelling, no burning, nothing. It's just pure happiness,” wrote one Ipster. “I'm super stoked about finding a p.m. eye treatment that doesn't give me any reaction.”
8. The Best Retinol Eye Treatment:
MURAD Renewing Eye Cream
We found this eye treatment to be one of the most effective eye creams we’ve ever tested, and noticed our dark circles lightened pretty quickly after using this product. While the thick consistency of this cream caught us off guard at first, a little goes a long way, and the results leave us with a refreshed, awake look. Pro tip: Start slow, since the skin around your eyes is thinner and too much product can irritate it.
9. The Best Retinol for Dry Skin:
VOLITION BEAUTY Beauty Sémillon Overnight Retinol Serum with Niacinamide + Hyaluronic Acid
Retinol tends to be pretty dehydrating, so mixing it with already dry skin can be tricky. Since this serum has a lower percentage of retinol and also includes hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, it’s a great option for those with thirsty skin. Plus, an extra dose of niacinamide helps keep breakouts at bay. When applying, expect a lightweight feel and a slight cooling sensation, which feels heavenly at the end of a long day.
10. The Best Retinol Oil:
RODIAL Retinol Drops Deluxe
This rejuvenating concentrate mixes retinol with plant-based bakuchiol, which helps enhance radiance and encourage a refined complexion. While it took us a minute to figure out how to best apply this product, we found that we like rubbing it between our palms first and then patting it onto our face. Our skin was left feeling firm but nourished, thanks to this oil’s infusion of hydrating vitamin B5.
11. The Best Retinol for Mature Skin:
DERMELECT Flawless Bakuchiol Treatment
We mentioned bakuchiol earlier, but in case you missed it, listen up: The plant-based retinol alternative is gentle on skin, while delivering the same anti-aging effects. Great for mature skin, this treatment helps increase cell turnover and boost collagen production, especially with the help of natural ingredients like green pea and ginger root extract. One reviewer called this a “mature-skin miracle,” reporting a “burst of smoothness” on their 71-year-old skin.
12. The Best Retinol Spot Treatment:
NIP + FAB Retinol Fix Blemish Treatment Gel 10%
Another heavy hitter from NIP + FAB on this list, this effective spot treatment gel doesn’t mess around. With its 10% time-release retinol complex, it goes beyond the skin’s surface to help treat acne, dark spots, and pores while you sleep. We found even the most stubborn blemishes folded when faced with the potent combo of salicylic acid, tranexamic acid, and niacinamide.
13. The Best Firming Retinol Treatment:
DR. LORETTA Concentrated Firming Moisturizer
We can attest that this antioxidant-rich firming cream delivers a skin-tightening boost you’ll be obsessed with. Made with retinoic ester—a non-irritating form of retinoid—this product brings that youthful bounce back to skin, while supercharged antioxidant Lipochroman® helps defend against pollution (a leading cause of lines and age spots). “I purchased six of these while they’re available on IPSY, because it’s THAT good,” one reviewer wrote. “Love that it comes in airless pump packaging to better preserve the amazing ingredients in this moisturizer.”
14. The Best Vegan Retinol Formula:
ILAPOTHECARY Reset Vitamin A Face Serum
This vegan and cruelty-free formula promotes cellular turnover and collagen production with the help of vitamin A, which acts as a natural retinol. We enjoyed how lightweight the serum felt when applying, and how easily it absorbed into our skin. We found its premium, all-natural ingredients worked just as well as a traditional retinol—without any of the harsh side effects.
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