Best Retinols Derms Use
The #1 Antiageing Ingredient You Should Be Using, According to Derms
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Like an anal-retentive roommate who's always after you about the dishes, retinol is extremely effective at making sure everything looks as pristine as possible — but it can also be pretty irritating.
On the upside: not all formulas are created equal, and most experts would still agree that the workhorse ingredient is the best thing you can do for your skin. After all, nothing else on the market has been clinically proven to simultaneously fade fine lines and dark spots, treat acne, or reduce the appearance of pores for a brighter, dare-we-say-better looking visage. And while dermatologists love to pull out their prescription pads, because we asked nicely, they've divulged their favourite OTC retinols you need in on, ahead.
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
" I love the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil ($105). It is a type of retinoic acid with an oil-based formulation, which is helpful for patients who normally experience dryness or irritation with prescription-strength retinoids. You will still get the benefits such as improving skin tone, texture, and fine lines, but it minimizes some of the issues people can have when using products in the retinoid family." — dermatologist Janiene Luke
, MD
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturiser
"There are many great choices when it comes to retinol based night creams on the market. For a more inexpensive option, I like Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturiser ($22), as it can be less irritating than other retinol products and leaves the skin feeling very smooth the next morning after use." — dermatologist Paul Cellura, MD
"I like Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair because it's based in a hyaluronic acid moisturiser to help prevent irritation and dryness, and it's widely available in most drugstores and a very reasonable price point." — dermatologist Susan Bard, MD
"The Neutrogrena Rapid Wrinkle Repair is a great over-the-counter retinol that isn't irritating." — dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD
Avene Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream
"I have 2 favourite retinols, depending on the person. One is the Avène Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream ($70, which I recommend to my younger patients and patients with sensitive skin. It's easier to tolerate than the prescription tretinoin, which is the other product that I recommend. That is going to be more effective than the OTC product, but can also be very drying, and is not always covered by insurance, which means it can get pricey. Tretinoin is better for people with more sun damage, and for those with less sensitive skin." — dermatologist Jennifer S Kitchin, MD, FAAD
"I think this is a great product for someone just starting out with retinoids and might not be ready for a prescription product. This is a OTC product that contains retinaldehyde, a form of vitamin A, that has been shown to be more effective than retinol yet gentler on the skin. This product also contains antioxidants and peptides that help to rejuvenate the skin, as well as thermal spring water to soothe and soften the skin." — dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD
SkinMedica Age Defence Retinol Complex 0.5
"I recommend the SkinMedica Age Defence Retinol Complex 0.5 ($78) because it has been studied head-to-head with prescription tretinoin, showing comparable efficacy in improving skin texture and tone. But the SkinMedica retinol is better tolerated by patients than prescription tretinoin, and causes less irritation, redness, stinging and dryness." — dermatologist Allison Arthur, MD, FAAD
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Ageing Night Face Cream
"This RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Ageing Night Face Cream ($15) is easy to find since it's available at the drugstore. It's also an effective retinol that is great for people with sensitive skin, or anyone who is just starting to use the ingredient." — dermatologist Marisa Garshick
, MD
PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment
"My favourite retinol is the PCA Skin Intensive Brightening Treatment ($109) — it provides an amazing hydroquinone-free solution to fade sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and melasma in addition to providing the usual anti-ageing effects. This particular product uses OmniSome technology — a blend of resveratrol and hexylresorcinol (both prevent and resolve pigment), plus niacinamide (to prevent skin irritation and dryness) — to stabilize the retinol and allows it to better penetrate deeper into the skin while minimizing the drying and sensitizing effects. This technology is found in the highest-grade pharmaceutical (aka prescription) products. It's the first time I have ever seen this vehicle used for cosmeceutical products." — dermatologist Suneel Chilukuri
, MD
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream
"The SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream ($110) offers little to no irritation while combining two of the top anti-ageing ingredients: a retinoid and lactic acid, creating a revolutionary double retinoid that leaves your skin looking smooth, clear, and refreshed." — dermatologist Matthew Elias, MD
"I like the Skinbetter Science AlphaRet because almost any skin type can tolerate it, and it's very affordable." — dermatologist Deborah Olhausen, MD
Replenix All-trans-Retinol Smoothing Serum 3X
"The Replenix All-trans-Retinol Smoothing Serum 3X ($74) is a fantastic choice for a retinol product. It combines retinol with hyaluronic acid to limit the irritation sometimes associated with retinols. In addition, it contains green tea polyphenols, which can prevent free-radical damage and skin ageing, as well as caffeine, which enhances the antioxidant properties of green tea. It is a patient favourite!" — dermatologist Charlotte Birnbaum
, MD
Sente Bio Complete Serum
"One of my favourite products is the Sente Bio Complete Serum ($179). It contains a heparan sulfate analog, which allows the sustained-release retinol to penetrate deeper into the skin, along with hyaluronic acid to plump the skin." — dermatologist Rachna Bhandari, MD, PhD
Differin Acne Treatment Gel
"While it's not technically a retinol, I recommend the Differin Acne Treatment Gel ($11) now that it is over the counter. (It was prescription until last year.) It is a retinoid called adapalene, which is different, but still helps with acne. A 45g tube will last you months, and is much more affordable than the anti-ageing products that contain retinol." — dermatologist Curtis Asbury, MD
