25-03-2025
The Best Retinol Products
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
This creamy formula's active ingredient is encapsulated retinaldehyde, which is considered to be the most effective form of vitamin A sold over the counter.
This sheer, creamy formula comes in a range of six strengths of retinaldehyde, from 0.01%, for sensitive skin, all the way up to 0.24%, for long-time users. Our panelists tried Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3, the 0.03% concentration recommended for new users by the dermatologists we spoke with. Testers loved its superior texture and absorption, but they were divided on the tube packaging.
A fast-acting over-the-counter form of vitamin A is the star ingredient. Unlike prescription-strength vitamin A (retinoic acid), which directly interacts with skin to hasten cell renewal, stimulate collagen production, and curtail inflammation and oiliness, OTC derivatives must be activated by the body's natural enzymes. Retinaldehyde, the derivative in Crystal Retinal 3, needs only one step to convert to retinoic acid, and it has been linked to faster, more visible results when compared with retinol (which requires two steps to convert).
Available in a range of strengths, this product contains an encapsulated retinal. We tested Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3, but this serum comes in a range of strengths—from 0.01%, for newbies with the most sensitive skin, to 0.24%, for long-time users—so you can slowly increase the concentration to match your skin's needs. Plus, this formula contains an encapsulated retinal: A lipid encases the retinaldehyde to help regulate the speed of its absorption, so it's less apt to irritate skin. Although we can't directly link this to the encapsulation, a few of our panelists did notice that Medik8's sheer serum didn't trigger sensitivity at all.
Its smooth formula absorbs beautifully. Every tester who tried the Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 specifically praised how nicely it spreads into skin: Fresh out of the pump, it looks like lotion, but then it massages into a sheer, silky layer. One tester noted that after she applied it, her face 'felt a teeny bit dry—but not in a bad way.' While comparing serums, panelists said they generally much preferred the Medik8 serum's creamier spreadability to more-watery, drippy options, like Trader Joe's Retinol Night Serum.
It smells good. Across the entire retinoid category, testers consistently flagged unpleasant fragrances (especially with the L'Oréal Paris drops, despite this serum's other excellent attributes). The Medik8 serum, which has no added synthetic fragrance, was lauded for its nice, subtle aroma. Flaws but not dealbreakers Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 is expensive. Among the prices of the 12 contenders our panelists tested, this $65 serum trailed only Shani Darden Retinol Reform Treatment Serum (about $90), SkinMedica Retinol Complex 1.0 (about $100), and SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5 ($80). Moreover, the cost creeps up along with the concentration level: Crystal Retinal 6 will run you $85, and Crystal Retinal 10 is about $110.
The hybrid packaging was polarizing. The silver plastic tube is topped with a metal pump and a plastic cap; some testers loved it because it's tidy and easy to place upright on a medicine-cabinet shelf. Still, another tester had to repeatedly press the pump to release even a small squirt of serum.
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
The active ingredient in SkinMedica Retinol Complex is retinol, an effective retinoid that takes a few more steps to activate on the skin's surface than retinaldehyde. This serum comes in a range of three strengths—0.25%, 0.5% and 1%. (Retinol and retinaldehyde concentrations are not apples to apples: A 0.3% retinol is generally on a par with a 0.03% retinal.) Panelists loved SkinMedica Retinol Complex because it was gently effective, even at high concentrations, and it didn't trigger redness or inflammation. They were less keen, however, on this product's fragrance and packaging.
It contains strong, stable, and encapsulated retinol. Although retinaldehyde (found in the Medik8 pick) is considered to be faster-acting, cosmetic chemists deem retinol to be more stable in formulations. Encouraged by the evident line-smoothing benefits after six weeks of using the 0.5%-potency option, one tester in her mid-50s upgraded to the 1% strength. And she said she didn't suffer a fleck of dry skin or redness—even when she used it up to five times a week. 'It made my crow's feet look so much less pronounced—to such an extent that I felt like I could get several extra weeks out of my quarterly Botox,' she said. And like the retinal in the Medik8 serum, the retinol in the SkinMedica serum is encapsulated, which can account for a slower release and less ruddiness and irritation.
The formula soaks in quickly, though proper portioning may take practice. Somewhere between a sheer lotion and liquid drops, the SkinMedica serum has a subtle weight and sheen, and it sinks easily into skin. But panelists didn't entirely agree on the application: One tester loved how well it spread and noted moisturizing benefits, while another tester said that 'it was difficult to get enough to spread across my face without feeling like I was using too much.' She also reported a slight skin tightness immediately after the serum was absorbed.
Proven moisturizing ingredients round out the ingredients. For a serum with a high-potency active ingredient, this formula still feels sufficiently quenching. In fact, the recipe also includes squalane, niacinamide, a ceramide, and glycerin—several of the must-have components we looked for in our best moisturizers. Another of our picks that's more of a multitasker, LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream contains similar nice, hydrating ingredients. But some may prefer that the SkinMedica serum is a stand-alone product that lets you layer on your own old-faithful face cream. Flaws but not dealbreakers SkinMedica Retinol Complex is the most expensive product of our picks. A fluid ounce of the 1.0 strength is $96, and an ounce of the 0.5 strength is $80.
The opaque glass bottle makes it virtually impossible to assess how much product is left.
This serum has no added fragrance, but testers found the aroma somewhere between meh and medicinal. Panelists much preferred the mellow spice scent of the Medik8 serum and even the sweet tang of the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum.
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter; prop styling by Andrea Bonin Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
A retinoid is an important part of a skin-care routine—so of course you want something that's effective and easy to use. L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 0.3% Pure Retinol delivers on both, according to Wirecutter staffers and a dermatologist we interviewed: The copious (if a bit malodorous) drops soak right in and dry quickly, allowing you to speed up your skin-care routine.
The serum feels just strong enough. With a retinol concentration of 0.3%, this serum is on the lower end of derm-recommended strengths. But this percentage makes the serum tolerable yet still effective, with the perfect amount of zing: 'I want a retinol to tingle a bit, to prove to me that it's working, and this one did,' one tester said. Unlike the Medik8 serum, with its graduated range of potencies, the Revitalift serum is available only at this level.
Absorption is exceptional. This serum looks a lot like buttermilk, and the hearty drops fully massage—one tester even said 'disappear'—into skin. It contains excellent moisturizing ingredients, like glycerin and glycol, but it also dries quickly to a smooth, elegant finish: Our testers unanimously chose this L'Oréal Paris serum as a favorite, and they appreciated its full absorption, which eliminated any lag time before applying moisturizer and other nighttime skin-care steps.
You can easily find it at the drugstore. Among all of our picks, the Revitalift serum is the easiest to shop for in person: Within easy neighborhood walking distance, we found this product at Target, CVS, two smaller, family-owned drugstores, and in the personal-care aisle at an independent grocery store (where, admittedly, it was more expensive than at the other spots). Two other picks, the Trader Joe's serum and the LilyAna Cream, are more affordable (by $30 and about $25, respectively), but they're harder to come by in person. Flaws but not dealbreakers L'Oréal Paris Revitalift 0.3% Pure Retinol smells like glue. Entirely unprompted, two testers specifically likened this serum's scent to Elmer's classic classroom supply.
The dropper lacks suction. Testers either had a hard time getting the formula to suck into the glass tube, or they found that the serum sputtered and stuck, rather than dropping onto skin. The package recommends using two or three drops, but they were hard to accurately gauge with this clumsy dropper.
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
This plush, fluffy cream delivers tons of moisture as well as a dose of retinol.
'But won't it turn my skin red?' 'But I don't want a dry, flaky face.' 'Is it safe to use if I've never used it before?' These were just some of the comments from staffers who were curious about retinoids yet reluctant to throw off their usual skin-care routines. Overwhelmingly, those testers loved LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream, which blends two nighttime steps—apply retinol, then moisturize—into one fulsome cream.
The formula is exceptionally moisturizing. The very first ingredient here is aloe—a moisture-boosting soother that serves as a nice counterbalance to retinol's tendency to dry and irritate skin (especially for new users). This absorbent, creamy whip met our criteria for an excellent retinol product, with a concentration right around 0.3%. And it also has many of the ingredients we required of our favorite moisturizers: LilyAna Retinol Cream includes glycerin and shea butter among its tight list of 29 ingredients, and it also has natural mellowers, like tea extract and centella, that are so popular in Korean skin care.
It's mild yet effective. Even testers with sensitive skin were able to tolerate the LilyAna cream—and they were pleased with results. One rosacea-prone panelist experienced redness after using the two-in-one Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Regenerating Cream, and even the similarly creamy L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Moisturizer (which has a weaker vitamin A derivative, retinyl palmitate) caused some unwelcome tingling. Meanwhile, the LilyAna cream caused no ill effects. In fact, within just two weeks, this panelist noticed that her complexion genuinely looked brighter and more radiant, and within four weeks, the puckery fine lines around her lips looked less pronounced. Another tester said, 'It feels very luxurious and like it's gently working. It's just a delightful product to use.'
There's no detectable scent. Many of the retinoids we tried—and most of the ones we loved—had no added scent. The LilyAna cream has a very subtle aroma from its ingredients, but there are no additional perfuming agents and no off-putting notes. The L'Oréal Paris pick is also free of fragrance, yet it smells markedly unpleasant, whereas this cream is wonderfully neutral. Flaws but not dealbreakers The LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream's plastic packaging feels cheap. Testers liked the stout little bottle's smooth pump mechanism, and they appreciated that it doled out a neat, juicy dollop (which was a bit generous for a full-face application). But they were less enamored with the lightweight plastic casing, and they didn't like that it was impossible to tell—by looking at or lifting the bottle—how much lotion was left.
I've been reporting stories about skin care and beauty for more than 25 years. While working for several lifestyle magazines, I wrote many 'best of beauty' roundups that reflected the real-life needs and feedback of readers. I've interviewed dozens of dermatologists, and I dug into hundreds of academic articles on skin care, ingredients, and efficacy. I consider myself an excellent judge of products and the experiences they offer.
Although I wish I had the energy to mimic my 15-year-old's hour-long skin-care routine, my own regimen is streamlined and simple. I wear moisturizer day and night, slather my lips with balm at all hours, and (child of the '70s, teen of the '80s here) am a rueful and belated adopter of sunscreen. When I add a step or a product to my minimalist routine, I want it to be easy, enjoyable, and effective. I've personally had excellent experiences with many forms of vitamin A: I've had a prescription for tretinoin cream (Retin-A), been on a four-month course of prescription oral isotretinoin (Accutane), and—most recently—used an over-the-counter retinal serum a few times a week.
For this guide, I consulted with dozens of colleagues to find out which retinoids have delivered the best result—often over the course of several years—in their varied skin-care routines.
Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I'm never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards.
Topical vitamin A is available both as a prescription and over the counter. Retinoic acid—known as the prescription generic tretinoin, and sold as Retin-A, Renova, and Altreno, among others—directly speeds up cellular turnover within the skin, so it sheds dead cells and encourages the growth of new ones. It also reduces inflammation and oil production, breaks up pimples, and stimulates collagen production. All of this results in smoother, more resilient skin, less acne and oil, pores that look smaller, and a more-even tone. Granted, this rapid cell turnover and shedding can cause irritation, redness, and excessive flaking.
Over-the-counter retinoids, by contrast, deliver true results, but they aren't quite as powerful—or as irritating. Rather than immediately activating in skin cells, these vitamin A derivatives need to interact with your body's natural enzymes to convert into retinoic acid. Retinal (abbreviated from retinaldehyde) is the most effective of the derivatives in that it requires only one conversion step to become as active as tretinoin. Retinol is considered more stable than retinal, but it needs two conversion steps to activate in the skin. Retinyl palmitate necessitates yet another conversation step, and it is even gentler and weaker. In a class by itself is hydroxypinacolone retinoate (often labeled by the trade name Granactive), which is considered especially mellow and non-irritating.
As effective as retinoids are for various concerns—from acne to signs of aging—the dermatologists we interviewed for this guide said they recommend starting out with very small amounts, using a product no more than a few times a week, and watching for any kind of irritation.
If your skin-care routine includes a chemical exfoliant product, don't use it on the same night that you daub on a retinoid, since doing this can cause irritation. Vitamin A derivatives deactivate when exposed to light, and they can also trigger sensitivity to sunlight, so they should be used as part of your nighttime regimen.
In any case, you should also be extra-vigilant about wearing sunscreen during the day: You won't see benefits if you're still exposing your skin to aging UVA and burning UVB rays. If you wax your face or plan on microblading your brows, you should lay off retinoid products for at least a week before the treatment, and definitely double-check with your technician a few weeks ahead of time.
Notably, there are a few instances when you should not be using a retinoid at all: If you have a prescription for a topical or oral vitamin A derivative, you should skip an over-the-counter product. If you are thinking of becoming pregnant, you are pregnant, or you're nursing, you should avoid retinoid products out of an abundance of caution (at high doses, vitamin A derivatives may cause miscarriage or birth defects). Check with your doctor or dermatologist before using a retinoid product.
Michael Murtaugh/NYT Wirecutter
We considered over-the-counter products only. As I researched these vitamin A derivatives, I read many academic studies spanning multiple decades. I also interviewed three dermatologists and two cosmetic chemists to determine how skin-care products' various ingredients come into play and what the ideal concentration is for each. For real-world insights about retinoid options, I dove deep into online reviews, looking to find products that maintained high star ratings over hundreds—and often thousands—of reviews.
I synthesized my findings to establish a group of 28 retinols that I would personally test (setting aside my previous go-to product, the Neutrogena Retinol Serum). Ultimately, most of the products I ended up testing contained retinaldehyde or retinol, and a few also had retinyl palmitate (a combination of retinol and palmitic acid) or hydroxypinacolone retinoate (a version of retinoic acid). The dermatologists I spoke with recommended starting with lower concentrations—around 0.3% for retinol, 0.03% for retinal—and not going up past 1% or 0.1%, respectively. (Higher concentrations are harder to come by over the counter, but the Medik8 Crystal Retinal is available up to 0.24%.)
I ignored packaging claims, which mostly boiled down to 'for aging skin' or 'to improve tone and texture,' and I spent four months cycling through the contenders, trying them on my face, neck, upper chest, and the backs of my hands. I narrowed the list to 12 finalists, which were sorted by formula (serum, drops, and cream) and then tested by eight panelists who had a variety of skin types and textures (and who were not using an oral or topical prescription retinoid). Some had used retinol products before, some set aside their go-tos, and some were complete newbies.
Panelists then judged each product on the following criteria: Overall experience and perceived benefits: We sought products that truly made our skin look better while also being a pleasure to use.
We sought products that truly made our skin look better while also being a pleasure to use. Skin reaction and sensitivity: A little initial redness, flakiness, or general irritation is to be expected when you're adopting a retinoid, and testers made note of exceptional cases.
A little initial redness, flakiness, or general irritation is to be expected when you're adopting a retinoid, and testers made note of exceptional cases. Texture: We assessed how the products felt on our fingers and our faces, and we rejected those that were too gross and gloopy.
We assessed how the products felt on our fingers and our faces, and we rejected those that were too gross and gloopy. Absorption: Panelists paid attention to how well each product absorbed, and then they noted how it felt longer-term—including whether it dried down tacky or made skin look oily.
Panelists paid attention to how well each product absorbed, and then they noted how it felt longer-term—including whether it dried down tacky or made skin look oily. Fragrance and packaging: To minimize predisposition and bias, we obscured the name brands on all of the products sent to panelists. Still, testers were able to assess how the packaging felt, how well it worked, and whether it was messy or tricky to handle in any way.
We loved the previous generation of Avène Eau Thermale Retrinal 0.1% Intensive Multi Corrective Cream, but it was reformulated just as our panelists were testing products. We will happily consider the new recipe for any update of this guide.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum had a nice texture, and we appreciated that it was fragrance-free, but it didn't stand out among similar sheer lotion serums.
With a silky feel and a fresh botanical fragrance, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream was a pleasure to use, but at $76 it seemed overpriced compared with others in the running.
We eliminated Glow Recipe Blackberry Retinol Blemish Serum because it was too specialized for acne-prone skin, as well as because of its cloying fragrance and sticky texture.
Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body & Face Lotion was surprisingly luxurious—it's a rich, nourishing cream for the body, but it feels way too heavy for faces.
Innbeauty Project Retinol Remix 1% Retinol Treatment's satin-like texture was nice, as was its fresh fragrance. But we couldn't help thinking there was a significant upcharge for the packaging's cool graphic design.
La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum ran a close second to the L'Oréal Paris Revitalift drops. We liked its aroma and its efficient, sanitary dropper delivery system, but we also found it just a tad sticky.
There were so many luxurious aspects to L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer—the rich, iridescent cream, the chic texture, even the floral fragrance. It earned lots of high marks, but it was edged out because it triggered irritation in one tester, even though its active ingredient is retinyl palmitate, which is among the gentlest, weakest derivatives.
At nearly $100, Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum should look and feel expensive. While the formula is undoubtedly elegant and smooth, the ombre green bottle doesn't feel special enough to warrant the splurge.
Our testers enjoyed how readily Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream absorbed into skin, but across the board they gave it low marks for being way too fragrant.
Similarly, the otherwise reliable Neutrogena Retinol Serum lost points for its polarizing aroma (one tester thought it smelled sweet, and another thought she detected metallic topnotes).
Both in our fingers and on our faces, No. 7 Pure Retinol Night Concentrate felt too slippery, and it had a slightly sour odor.
A hearty cream in a purple plastic pot, Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer required too much massaging before it fully absorbed. And even then, it tended to feel greasy on our faces.
A very sheer, lotion-style serum, Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster delivered a nice amount of moisture and not a bit of tingle or sensitivity. In the end, though, we deemed it to be just a bit too slick.
Testers had wildly different experiences with RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. One tester loved the fragrance, another detested it. One person appreciated the tube, another said it tended to ooze and leak. But, most notably, one tester felt a burning sensation and had to wash it off entirely within five minutes.
There was a lot to love about Shani Darden Retinol Reform Anti-Aging Serum, with its chic, sheer texture and slight botanical aroma. It was just edged out by the SkinMedica serum for a higher-strength retinol product.
The only breathtaking aspect of SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream was its $140 price tag: The sheer, smooth serum was fine but not fantastic, and the plastic bottle rattled and felt cheap. Meanwhile, at $80 and $102 per ounce, respectively, SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 and SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength didn't feel like commensurate upgrades over many far more affordable options. Plus, the caps were small, tricky to handle, and easy to misplace.
The inky blue color of Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil was polarizing for our panelists, as was its post-application finish: Some loved how smooth and slaked their skin felt, while others thought the overall effect was greasy.
The Inkey List SuperSolutions 1% Retinol Serum had a perfectly serviceable sheer formula, but it smelled like musty leaves. Youth to the People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum also had a slight funk, and once the slick orange lotion dried down, it felt too sticky.
This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.
David Kim, MD, dermatologist, video interview, October 16, 2024
Corey Miles, cosmetic chemist, email interview, October 14, 2024
Fatima Fahs, MD, dermatologist, email interview, November 7, 2024
Jeannette Jakus, MD, dermatologist, email interview, November 18, 2024
Andrew Koenig, cosmetic chemist, video interview and email follow-up, December 18, 2024 and January 2025
