"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