The product comes in a handy pump dispenser, with one or two pumps enough for most faces. While we found the serum non-irritating, CeraVe recommends building up usage over time, starting once a week and working up to every second night. Simple and effective, CeraVe’s serum is a good alternative to pricier formulations. As we mentioned before, there are a ton of different formulas out there when it comes to retinol. For example, many retinol products come in a cream or moisturizer form, which can be great for an added dose of moisture, however, they have their downsides. "To avoid acne flares, a light formulation, not a heavy cream is the way to go," says Dr. Wexler. Meanwhile, Zaborowski prefers serums as they tend to be less irritating and have great absorption. All in all, it's best to consider your skin needs when choosing a formula. If redness or irritation occurs, consult your dermatologist and re-evaluate the concentration, frequency, and formulation. The Best Retinol Creams 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. Any way you slice it, adding a retinol cream to your nighttime routine (countless pros suggest designating it as an evening-only ingredient due to its sensitizing properties that can lead to sunburns and worse) is a sure-fire way to get that much closer to achieving a ton of different skincare goals. As Love puts it, the ingredient can "do a little bit of everything we want." If you’re new to retinol, it’s best to start with a low-concentration product to allow your skin to build up tolerance to the exfoliating effects of the vitamin. This luxury product from skincare specialists Skinceuticals is an excellent introduction to retinol. The retinol is suspended in a moisturising formula, with soothing frankincense to counteract dryness and irritation, and is clinically proven to improve rough skin, fine lines, and dark spots in eight weeks of regular use. Apply a pea-sized amount to clean skin at night, starting twice per week and building up over time to nightly use.

Another application method loved by dermatologists: the sandwich technique. This involves applying a base layer of moisturizer onto the skin prior to your retinol product, and then again after. "Studies have shown that this base layer of moisturizer does not dilute or reduce the efficacy of the retinoid, but instead helps with tolerability," board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, has previously told Allure. Since this is one of the stronger treatments on our list, we definitely recommend building up tolerance gradually, especially if you have sensitive skin. Start with one of the other lighter formulations reviewed here, or incorporate the A-Passioni cream into your skincare routine very slowly over time, combining it with another moisturiser or oil if it’s causing dryness. Crystal Retinal 1 is a vitamin A derivative similar to retinol, formulated to be gentle yet effective on mature skins. The overnight treatment is excellent for reducing fine lines and wrinkles, firming and plumping the skin, and erasing dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation for a fresher, younger look without any irritation. Retinal also has antibacterial properties, making this a good option for blemish-prone skin. This fragrance-free cream feels soft and goes on smoothly, absorbed easily into skin. The Rapid Wrinkle Repair range also includes a serum, facial oil, eye cream, post-treatment moisturiser, and a retinol cleanser. For best results, Neutrogena recommends building up use of the cream over time until you’re using it twice per day, following up your morning use with a good sunscreen. As well as its original purpose of clearing acne, retinol boosts the skin’s own healing processes and is great for repairing scars that may have been caused by previous acne breakouts, as well as other kinds of skin damage such as dark spots from sun exposure. The benefits of retinol are well documented, which is the reason you will find the ingredient featuring prominently in so many creams and serums.

What is retinol and what does it do for your skin?

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. Then apply a small, pea-sized amount of retinol to dry skin. Spread it over your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth. It uses a retinoid complex and vitamin B3 to target fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help improve dark spots, brightness, and skin texture. That doesn't mean over-the-counter retinol isn't effective, however. "Retinol can benefit skin at levels as low as 0.01 percent to the maximum recommended level of 1 percent," Robinson tells Allure — great news for newcomers who may want to start at a lower level and work their way up in retinol strength. The best retinol creams and serums you can buy in 2023 1. Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3%: The best for first-time users

Retinol can also make skin more sensitive to the sun, so it’s best used at night, but if you’re using it in the daytime, wear an SPF, no matter the season. Retinol can be used alongside exfoliating acids (AHAs and BHAs), as well as vitamin C, but you may wish to use the products on alternate days to avoid irritation, or just use retinol in the evening and your other products in the morning. Although it might sound like a stronger formula with a higher percentage of retinol would be more efficacious, that’s not always the case. “With retinol, we’re always balancing strength, efficacy, with the potential of retinol to irritate the skin,” explains Dr. Mikailov, “In terms of drugstore retinol, we find that retinol can be effective at multiple concentrations.” He says that “while retinol creams with higher concentrations (0.2 percent or more) worked faster, at the end of 6 months, retinol creams at various concentrations, including below 0.2 percent, also had great benefits.” Look for keywords like "gentle" and "non-irritating" on the label. This can save you a lot of stress before shelling out cash on a product that may have unpleasant side effects. Skin type https://www.uwhealth.org/madison-plastic-surgery/q-is-there-a-difference-between-tretinoin-retin-a-and-retinol/36588 Mukherjee S, et al. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: An overview of clinical efficacy and safety.

Can I use retinol every day?

Retinol creams and serums containing higher concentrations of the active ingredient tend to be more expensive than lower-strength products, with some products boasting a more luxurious combination of ingredients alongside. Nevertheless, there are some excellent no-frills retinol products on the market that work every bit as well as their pricier counterparts for clearing skin and smoothing fine lines – and we’ve included recommendations below at a range of price points. How should I use retinol skincare? It can “treat fine lines, boost collagen production, and brighten and smooth the skin,” he says. It’s suited to anyone with a normal to dry skin type.

Because of its exfoliating properties, it's best to use Retinol as a treatment on its own - we also recommend not to combine Retinol with another exfoliation product at the same time. Always be sure to apply SPF of at least factor 30 on your face the next day as Retinol can make the new skin surface more sensitive to the sun damage. 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.

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. To answer all of your burning retinol questions, we looked to the experts to decode the ingredient in the simplest terms. Ahead, we broke down the need-to-know info to add retinol into your routine, including the shopping tips and our favorite retinol creams and serums to date. What Is Retinol?

Kim J, et al. (2019). Association of vitamin a intake with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma risk in the United States. Retinol products are not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. How we test retinol products Because retinols can be drying, it’s ideal to follow with an effective moisturizer to help keep skin hydrated and [the] skin’s barrier protected,” Gabriel notes.But with so much choice available, which is the right retinol product for you? We’ve put together a buyer’s guide that includes helpful tips on how to use this hero ingredient; and we’ve tested a range of products to find the best to use with your skin type, skin needs and budget in mind. Best retinol cream: At a glance It’s a lightweight cream, designed for night-time use. It smells pleasant, goes on smoothly and sinks in well, though dryer skins, in particular, will want to follow with a good night cream to hydrate and replenish skin as the retinol formula gets to work. Skin will feel softer and appear smoother and more radiant within three to four weeks. It’s a great part of No7’s range of anti-ageing products. If you want to target deeper issues like fine lines and sun damage, you may eventually want to opt for a higher percentage. Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, et al. (2017). Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) — final version of the opinion on vitamin A (retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate) in cosmetic products.