Our top picks:
You’ve probably heard that retinol is the Holy Grail of anti-aging — but what is retinol, and is it right for you?
It's a derivative of vitamin A and one of the few skincare ingredients clinically proven to reduce wrinkles, among other benefits like smoothing skin texture, unclogging pores, treating acne and minimizing hyperpigmentation. Retinol works by speeding up skin cell turnover, which increases collagen production and decreases its breakdown, explains GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab regularly tests anti-aging products that contain retinol, including moisturizers, serums and retinol eye creams. They are evaluated in the Lab using state-of-the-art instruments, as well as on consumer testers who report their feedback on ease of use and effects on skin.
Retinol treatments can come in the form of lotions, creams or serums, and are available both via prescription and over-the-counter. "The main difference between OTC and prescription retinol is the concentration of the active ingredient in the formula," says Hope Mitchell, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Mitchell Dermatology in Perrysburg and Fremont, Ohio. "The highest percentage of retinol available OTC is 1%, though it is available in a variety of lower concentrations as well." While prescription retinol treatments are stronger and can deliver better, faster results than over-the-counter retinol, they can also can be more irritating. Some dermatologists recommend starting with OTC retinol products (like the picks below) to let your skin acclimate to the ingredient before ramping up the potency with prescription treatments, if needed.
1
Best Overall
No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum
Pros
- Measurably smooths skin
- Minimizes pores
- Soaks in fast
Cons
- Could cause mild irritation
No7's superstar serum made with a form of retinol was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging serum test, excelling at smoothing skin. In assessment with the Visia Complexion Analyzer device before and after four weeks of use, it earned perfect scores for improving texture and reducing the appearance of pores, though some noted slight irritation.
Users also gave the formula high ratings for having a pleasant feel and absorbing quickly. "The skin on my face appears softer and smoother and wrinkles and pores are less noticeable," a user marveled. Another agreed: "My skin looks younger."
Size | 1 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinyl palmitate, peptides, hyaluronic acid |
Best for | Anti-aging |
2
Best Drugstore
Roc Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Crème
Pros
- Reduces lines and deep wrinkles on face and eyes
- Diminishes dark spots
- Hydrates skin
Cons
- May be too heavy for oily or acne-prone skin
This GH Seal star Roc retinol cream for day or night is proven to deliver anti-aging results both quickly and over time. It left skin looking 32% smoother and more radiant after just one week of use, and hydrated it for 24 hours. It only gets better — after four weeks, people saw a further reduction in fine lines and eye wrinkles, and after eight weeks, they reported fewer deep wrinkles and dark spots. The cream formula may be too rich for oily skin types, however.
Size | 1.7 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C |
Best for | Anti-aging, dry skin |
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Pros
- Measurably reduces wrinkles
- Increases skin's firmness
Cons
- Could cause some irritation or breakouts
Tackle wrinkles with Exuviance’s light, gel-like lotion, which was a winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging night cream test for reducing lines, thanks to a smoothing trio of retinol, glycolic acid and peptides. Lab digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer found that the formula minimized the look of wrinkles by 10% after four weeks of use.
In calculations with the Cutometer machine, which gauges skin laxity, it raised firmness 31%, but some users noted a bit of irritation or breakouts. “My skin was smoother and more even, with fewer fine lines in time,” a tester reported.
Size | 1.75 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinyl palmitate, glycolic acid, peptides |
Best for | Anti-aging |
Pros
- Includes a calming moisturizer
- Gradual regimen to build tolerance
- Smooths skin and boosts radiances
Cons
- Pricey
Perfect for those with sensitive complexions, this GH Beauty Award winner and Seal star Mary Kay retinol kit is a gradual regimen made to build tolerance over time. It includes a potent 0.5% retinol serum and a soothing, natural oil–infused milk moisturizer to combat common irritating side effects of the collagen-boosting active. Though it's a bit of a splurge, 100% of women saw improvement in skin smoothness and radiance after eight weeks of use, Lab data analysis found. “My skin felt very plump and smooth in the morning,” Aral reported.
Size | Retinol: 1 oz.; Facial Milk: 2.5 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, squalane |
Best for | Smoothing, radiance, sensitive skin |
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Pros
- Smooths skin texture
- Evens skin tone
- Non-irritating
Cons
- Expensive
Packed with proven anti-aging actives including retinoids and peptides blended with exfoliating acids, this powerful yet gentle night treatment is also enhanced with hydrators like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. In GH Beauty Lab Visia Complexion Analyzer imaging tests, it scored high for improving skin texture and tone, yet caused “no irritation,” a Lab pro noted. Despite being on the pricier side, it was worth the splurge: An impressive six testers noticed that their "fine lines appeared diminished."
Size | 1 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Ethyl lactyl retinoate, glycolic acid, peptides, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid |
Best for | Anti-aging |
6
Best for Acne
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Pros
- Treats acne
- Lightweight and soaks in quickly
Cons
- Can irritate skin
GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek recommends the retinoid adapalene, previously only available via prescription, for those with acne-prone skin. She is a fan of this La Roche-Posay gel, which is "a beautiful formula that is lightweight, absorbs quickly and helps treat acne." Note that the strength of this treatment could sting or irritate skin.
Size | 1.6 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Adapalene |
Best for | Acne-prone or oily skin, clogged pores |
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7
Best Day Cream
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Daily Face Moisturizer SPF 30
Pros
- Reduces dark spots and lines
- Measurably firms skin
- Contains SPF
Cons
- Scent was polarizing
This Neutrogena day cream with SPF 30, a GH Beauty Lab test winner, firms skin, reduces dark spots and minimizes wrinkles over time. In Lab calculations with the Visia Complexion Analyzer, the moisturizer reduced UV spots by 13% after eight weeks of daily use. “It contains stable and fast-acting forms of retinol, which measurably increased skin firmness in our testing," Aral explains. "And it improved the look of some consumer testers’ nasolabial folds (a.k.a. laugh lines) after eight weeks of daily use.” Some users didn't like the scent, though others found it wasn't noticeable.
Size | 1 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, hyaluronic acid |
Best for | Anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, sun protection |
Pros
- Doesn't irritate skin
- Made with soothing and moisturizing ingredients
Cons
- Runny formula
Retinol treatments don't have to be harsh on skin: This mild, water-like GH Beauty Award-winning Innisfree serum delivers the gold standard texture-refining ingredient along with nourishing and calming ingredients. Hydrating hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide and the soothing herb cica work to keep reactive complexions balanced. It proved to be effective on even sensitive and redness-prone skin in Beauty Lab assessments. “My skin was clearer, brighter, softer and smoother with no discomfort,” a tester commented, although some didn't love the "runny" consistency.
Size | 1.01 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, ceramides |
Best for | Brightening, soothing, sensitive or dry skin |
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Pros
- Dermatologist-recommended
- High level of retinol to help resurface skin
- Works on multiple skin concerns
Cons
- Strong formula could irritate
Turn to this high-strength 1% retinol night treatment from No7 to even out skin tone and texture issues like broken capillaries and milia. "I am most impressed with how it tackles stubborn lines and wrinkles, while also being suitable for broken capillaries, milia and acne," Dr. Mitchell says. Due to the high concentration of the active ingredient that can cause irritation, it may not be the best option for sensitive skin types.
Size | 1 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, peptides |
Best for | Skin issues like broken capillaries and milia, anti-aging, acne |
10
Best Moisturizing
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil for Face
Now 19% Off
Pros
- Instantly softens skin
- Great value
Cons
- May be too greasy for oily or acne-prone skin
Another GH Seal star and Beauty Lab test winner, Palmer's face oil is formulated with retinol and also boasts hydrating argan, almond and coconut oils to deeply hydrate on contact. (Note that since this formula is oil-based, it may not work well with oily or acne-prone skin.) It rated highest with Lab testers for immediately moisturizing skin so it looked “plumper and smoother," as one described.
Size | 1 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, plant oils |
Best for | Dry skin |
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11
Best Night Cream
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer
Pros
- Strong firming effects
- Reduces wrinkles
- Softens and smooths
Cons
A skin-smoothing retinol treatment and a night moisturizer in one, Olay's Regenerist Retinol24 fragrance-free formula was the winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-aging night cream test, delivering noticeable wrinkle reduction, brightening, firming and skin-softening benefits. The GH Seal star raised skin’s firmness by 27% over four weeks of use per the Lab’s Cutometer machine, which measures skin laxity. One hundred percent of testers agreed it made skin feel softer — and they also ranked it best at brightening. "My skin was firmer and smoother each morning," a tester reported.
Size | 1.7 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, retinyl propionate, niacinamide, peptides |
Best for | Anti-aging, dry skin |
12
Best for Hyperpigmentation
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Moisturizer SPF 30
Pros
- Reduces dark marks
- Contains sun protection
- Measurably moisturizes skin
Cons
- Could irritate eyes
The winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-aging day creams test, this L'Oréal lotion contains both retinol to even skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation plus pore-clearing glycolic acid. In Lab testing using the Visia Complexion Analyzer, it decreased dark spots by 11% in four weeks, plus increased skin hydration 28% per measurements with the Corneometer machine. The "fast-absorbing" formula made skin "bright and radiant" and "decreased the look of wrinkles," testers reported. A caveat: It didn't score as well for causing eye irritation or watering.
Size | 1 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinyl palmitate, vitamin C, glycolic acid |
Best for | Hyperpigmentation, sun protection |
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13
Best for Neck
No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum
Pros
- Tightens and lifts skin
- Can use on face and neck
Cons
- Small size for larger area of application
Effectively tighten crepey and sagging neck skin with No7's face and neck formula with retinol, the overall winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s neck treatments test. The Lab's before-and-after digital imaging showed the most improvement in lifting and tightening neck skin of all products tested over 12 weeks of use. Despite having smaller-sized packaging than others evaluated, it earned praise from users: "It softened my neck area and made it more firm," one reported.
Size | 1.69 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinyl palmitate, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides |
Best for | Anti-aging |
Pros
- Precise dosage
- Portable and travel-friendly
- Skin nourishing ingredients
Cons
- Some may not like the oily feel
A GH Beauty Award winner and Seal star from the Beauty Lab’s go-to brand for wrinkle-smoothing retinol, these portable single-use capsules are precisely-dosed, perfect for beginners to avoid over-using the ingredient. According to Beauty Lab data evaluation, 94% of users showed improvement in skin texture and 81% in skin radiance after just one night of use. Each biodegradable pod holds a concentrate of the active balanced with skin nourishers like ceramides and soybean oil to help hydrate and minimize irritation, though the texture could be too oily for some.
Size | 0.35 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, ceramides |
Best for | Anti-aging, dry skin |
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Pros
- Targets specific areas of lines and wrinkles
- Instant and long-term results
Cons
- Small tube not sufficient for use all over the face
To zero in on stubborn lines, opt for this GH Seal holder Mary Kay wrinkle filler, made with concentrated retinol and hyaluronic acid to smooth and plump both immediately and long-term. Evaluations of clinical studies showed between 64 and 69% improvement in the look of crow's feet and forehead and mouth wrinkles after one use, and over eight weeks of use, 84% of testers had improvement in total line and wrinkle count. (One drawback is that it includes a small amount of product.)
Size | 0.5 oz. |
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Key ingredients | Retinol, hyaluronic acid |
Best for | Anti-aging |
Pros
- Created for you on the spot by a dermatologist
- Can be adjusted to your skin's needs over time
- Can choose precise level of retinol
Cons
- Pricey
- Requires doctor's office visit
Invest in a visit to the dermatologist and take the guesswork out of choosing the right retinol for you with this personalized Skinceuticals serum (which costs around $195). Here's how it works: head to the doctor for a five-minute consultation and leave with a unique custom serum formula, which doses retinol depending on your skin's needs. Use the serum for three months, then head back to see if you'll stick with the same blend or adjust the levels of active ingredients.
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How we test the best retinol creams and serums
The GH Beauty Lab has a long history of testing anti-aging products that contain retinol, from serums to moisturizers and more. They are assessed in the Lab using technical instruments, including the Visia Complexion Analyzer (below) to measure changes in skin like wrinkles and dark spots and the Cutometer to gauge skin laxity. Consumer testers also evaluate the products, reporting detailed feedback on factors like ease of use, cosmetic properties and performance.
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What to look for when shopping for the best retinol creams and serums
Maximize results (and minimize irritation) from retinol treatments with these GH Beauty Lab and dermatologist tips:
✔️ Know the different kinds. "'Retinoid' is an umbrella term used to classify topical vitamin A and all its derivatives, including both over-the-counter and prescription forms," Wnek explains. "Those available OTC for cosmetic use include retinol, retinaldehyde (also known as retinal) and retinyl palmitate, which is generally the gentlest." Common prescription retinoids are tretinoin (also known as retinoic acid), tazarotene and adapalene, which are often used to treat acne due to their strength, in addition to anti-aging effects, she says.
✔️ Consider your skin type. Both cream and serum retinol product formulas can be effective, so which is best comes down to your skin type and preferences. If you have combination, oily or acne-prone skin, you may prefer a serum or lotion, as they tend to be lightweight; if you have normal or dry skin, you may want to choose a cream, as these formulas are richer and provide more hydration.
✔️ Seek out skin nourishers. "Choose retinol products with key ingredients that signal the formula will nourish the skin or mitigate any potential sensitivity to the active," Dr. Mitchell says. "Look for nourishing ingredients like peptides, niacinamide, hylauronic acid, shea butter and bisabolol to indicate a gentle formula."
✔️ Eye the packaging. "Retinol is known to degrade when exposed to air and light, so it's important to seek out products with opaque and airtight packaging or look for 'encapsulated' on the label to ensure efficacy," Wnek advises.
✔️ Don't forget SPF. Your skin will be more susceptible to burning and irritation from the sun while using retinol, and for several weeks after you stop. This is because speedier cell turnover pushes new, delicate skin to the surface. That means you must apply sunscreen every day when you’re using a product with retinol, even if you're only applying it at night. (Check out the GH Beauty Lab's top-tested moisturizers with SPF and face sunscreens.)
What's the most effective percentage of retinol?
The highest numbers aren't always better when it comes to the percentage of retinol in a product. "Because OTC retinol products are considered a cosmetic, the percentage does not need to be disclosed on the packaging," Wnek explains. "But retinol can be effective for anti-aging benefits at a level of 0.1% to 1%, as a study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology showed that a 0.1% retinol moisturizer used once daily significantly improved the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness and photodamage after eight weeks." If you skin tends to be sensitive, "start slow with 0.1% to 0.3% retinol and work your way up to a higher percentage," she advises.
April Franzino
Beauty Director
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Tested byDanusia Wnek
Senior Chemist
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.