You may have started noticing changes to your face's skin tone and texture lately. Or maybe you're finding brown spots or, god forbid, wrinkles. And while you are comfortable with the idea of aging gracefully in theory, you also believe there is nothing wrong with tempering those signs when they first appear. And in your fight against aging, one of the most commonly used and effective anti-aging treatments is retinol.
"Retinoids (a blanket term for retinol) are a family of vitamin A compounds including over the counter and prescription options," said Joshua Zeichner, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research Department of Dermatology Mount Sinai Hospital. "I recommend them to many of my patients because they have several beneficial effects on the skin, including stimulating collagen, enhancing cell turnover, reducing inflammation, diminishing fine lines and wrinkles, and treating acne."
You can find retinol in various products such as oils, peels, creams, and serums. The trick is figuring out which is best for you. The best part is you don't need a prescription to reap the benefits.
"Both prescription and over-the-counter retinoids are effective," said Zeichner. The difference between OTC and prescription options is that over-the-counter options need to be converted to their more active form after they are applied to the skin. This means that your skin has to go through an adjustment period.
"In the first 2 to 4 weeks, the skin commonly goes through a transition, known as retinization," says Zeichner. During this time, you may notice redness, experience burning, stinging, and dryness. "Using a little bit at a time, applying it every other night, and combining it with a moisturizer are ways that you can minimize skin irritation," he added.
But what retinoid creams and products should you be using? Below, you'll find our shopping guide to help you navigate the landscape of the best retinol creams and retinol serums.
Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum
BUDGET BUY
If you have recently started noticing fine lines, this serum is an excellent option for you. As the name states, it is a gentle formula, but it also uses micro-encapsulated retinol and natural retinol alternatives that may reduce your chances of experiencing irritation. Plus, its super-light formula melts effortlessly into the skin.
© Provided by SPYVersed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum, Best Retinol Creams and Serums
Alchimie Forever Advanced Retinol Serum
FOR DEEPER WRINKLES
Using time-released technology, this serum contains blueberry, hydrating hyaluronic acid, jojoba, and red clover to minimize irritation. It has a 0.75% concentration of two types of retinol and is rich in antioxidants from apple stem cell extract, edelweiss, and green tea.
© Provided by SPYAlchimie Forever Advanced Retinol Serum, Best Retinol Creams and Serums
Buy: Alchimie Forever Advanced Retinol Serum $99.00
Kiehl's Youth Dose Eye Treatment
BEST UNDER EYE RETINOL TREATMENT
The skin underneath your eyes tends to be thinner than the rest of your face and can be sensitive, which is why it is best to use under-eye products specifically formulated for that area. If you tend to get dark circles and puffiness under your eyes, you'll love this product. It performs double duty; it is good for brightening dark areas and also smoothing fine lines.
© Provided by SPYKiehl's Youth Dose Eye Treatment, Best Retinol Creams and Serums
AbsoluteJOI Skin Refining Night Oil
FOR DARKER SKIN TONES
Created by a physician with melanated skin in mind AbsoluteJOI Skin Refining Night Oil features Retinol and vitamins C and E. Its formulation targets early signs of aging, fades dark marks and combats hyperpigmentation which browner skin can be more prone to and develop over time. And don't be put off by the fact that it is an oil-based product it won't leave you greasy but rather moisturized. Plus, it doesn't contain parabens, perfumes, dyes, or bleach.
© Provided by SPYAbsoluteJOI Skin Refining Night Oil, Best Retinol Creams and Serums
Graydon Phyto Clear
BEST FOR COMBINATION SKIN
If some areas of your face tend to be dry, another part balanced, and another oily, you're probably dealing with combination skin. Finding a product to round all of that out can be a pain. Well, Graydon's Phyto Clear may work well for you as it uses retinol alternative-bakuchiol and moth bean extract - that reduces chances of flaky skin. It also has toning and protective items such as rosemary, neem oil, chlorella, and squalane that keep your skin looking plump.
© Provided by SPYGraydon Phyto Clear, Best Serums and Creams
Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum
BEST FOR DRY SKIN
Using Retinol when you have dry skin can be tricky as it may cause some flaking and irritation. But Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum contains sodium salicylate which tempers inflammation and ceramide complex that helps your skin retain moisture. Plus, it has powerful antioxidant resveratrol, which can combat your skin's exposure to pollutants.
© Provided by SPYMarie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum, Best Retinol Creams and Serums
Altreno Tretinoin Lotion
PRESCRIPTION OPTION
It's essential when you choose a retinol product that you find one that is formulated to improve tolerability and contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. "These are the things that set apart generic options from brand name ones," says Zeichner. He recommends retinoids like Altreno lotion for those reasons. "It is a prescription topical retinoid formulated to distribute hydrating ingredients throughout the base of the product evenly." Because this is a prescription treatment, we recommend talking to your doctor or dermatologist for more information.
© Provided by SPYAltreno, Best Retinol Creams and Serums
Rodan + Fields Redefine Overnight Restorative Cream
BEST FOR NORMAL TO DRY SKIN
Even if you have a balanced complexion, there are times when your skin is fatigued that you want a heavier cream. And Rodan + Fields Redefine Overnight Restorative Cream is just that. You don't need to lay it on thick because a little goes a long way in treating fine lines and helping to contour your face.
© Provided by SPYRodan and Fields, Best Retinol Creams and Serums
Arbonne Intelligence Resurfacing Pads & Solution
BEST FOR DARK SPOTS
If you're a sun worshipper, you may notice dark spots or uneven skin tone from UV damage. Arbonne Intelligence Resurfacing Pads & Solution with Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (a form of retinoid) is an excellent choice for brightening your skin. It acts as an exfoliator so you may experience tingling and burning. Stick to using it at night. And moving forward, reduce your chance of sun damage by wearing sunscreen when outdoors.
© Provided by SPYArbonne Genius Nightly Resurfacing Pads & Solution, Best Retinol Creams and Serums
Buy: Arbonne Intelligence Resurfacing Pads & Solution $74.99
AgeWell Moisture Restoring Cream
VEGAN FORMULA
Suppose you are not ready to try a retinoid product but would love to reap some of its benefits. In that case, try AgeWell Moisture Restoring Cream with bakuchiol-vegan retinol-which is generally well tolerated. Additionally, it has other plant-based ingredients such as coconut oil, squalane, shea butter, and avocado oil to keep your skin looking moisturized. If you ever doubt the importance of moisture, remember a raisin is a wrinkly dried grape.
© Provided by SPYAgeWell Moisture Restoring Cream, Best Retinol Creams and Serums