Over-the-counter retinol products target different skin issues, from wrinkles to enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, and more. If you are looking for the right products to use for your specific skin type or issue, look no further. Find the best retinol products for your skin type and concern below!
Best Anti-Aging Retinol Products
1. Algenist Lifting & Firming Serum
This amazing serum contains a blend of ingredients that work together with the retinol to seriously improve many signs of aging. This potion has the texture of a light lotion, so those with combination mature skin could even use it instead of a moisturizer.
In addition to the age-reversing retinol, this serum also contains skin-firming peptides, hydrating ceramides, and a collection of fortifying antioxidants. After using it for a few weeks, the effect on your skin will be seriously noticeable. Find this miracle worker at Amazon.
2. Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM
With this product, Peter Thomas Roth delivers a simple yet effective formula to deal with fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of tone. This formula contains a commendable amount of 1.5% retinol, as well as antioxidant and skin-brightening vitamin C, and moisturizing squalane. It’d be the perfect anti-age retinol product for acne-prone and fussy skin types, because there are no filled ingredients, just goodness! You can purchase this serum at Sephora.
3. Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Serum
This isn’t the first, second, or third time that I will recommend this product. This silky and light serum can easily work as a night moisturizer or as a face primer under makeup. In the short term, it makes the face look plump, hydrated, and healthy. In the long term, the retinol and vitamin C in this formula firm the skin, smooth fine lines, and restore luster in the skin. This serum can be bought at Sephora.
4. Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair
With 0.5% microencapsulated retinol, this serum is strong. If your skin can tolerate anything, and you want serious results, this is one of the best retinol products for wrinkles. You can expect this serum to hydrate and moisturize the skin in the short term, and to seriously soften lines, wrinkles, and imperfections in the long term.
Because it is so strong, you can expect purging with this serum, so it is definitely not a product you try out in preparation for a wedding or special event. If you are sensitive to strong scents, that might be another reason to stay away. If results matter most, however, this perfect blend of vitamin A, vitamin C, peptides, and ceramides is sure to please. This serum is available at Amazon.
5. RoC Deep Wrinkle Serum
This excellent retinol product is a real bargain. It is a light, non-irritating retinol serum formulated to target wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of tone, with a collection of minerals and vitamins that boost retinol’s efficacy. This formula is fragrance free, which means you can smell the natural scent of all the ingredients; this means that the smell is pretty awful, but if fragrances irritate your skin, this might be a good thing. You can purchase this low-cost retinol product at Ulta.
Best Retinol Products for Sensitive Skin
6. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Even those with redness and sensitivity want the amazing anti-aging effects of retinol. Thankfully, this Sunday Riley product delivers a gentle formula with Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, a trans-retinoic acid ester. It still acts as a wonderful skin-brightening antioxidant, but without the risk of irritation. This formula also includes a light collection of oils that are good for all skin types, to help calm, moisturize, and strengthen the skin. This gorgeous blend can be picked up at Sephora.
Best Retinol Products for Daytime
7. Strivectin-AR Advanced Retinol Day Treatment SPF 30
I love me a multi tasker, and this day treatment from Strivectin certainly fits the bill. This two-in-one retinol treatment and sunscreen is an excellent choice if you already have a routine laden with actives in the evening.
This is a gentler retinol, but it has been combined with other anti-aging powerhouses like niacinamide, peptides, and hyaluronic acid, not to mention the world’s most powerful anti-aging ingredients: sunscreens. You best believe that this is an excellent formula that feels beautiful going on the skin, and will keep you youthful for years to come. This product is available for sale at Amazon.
Best Retinol Products for Oily Skin
8. Perricone MD OVM Instant Tightening Serum with Retinol
When I say this serum is for oily skin, what I mean is that it’s one of the lightest serums on this list, and it is perfectly appropriate for those who worry about overly rich products. However, at its heart it still is an anti-aging retinol product that just happens to also improve the look of large pores, and to control breakouts.
The featured ingredient in this product, in addition to retinol, is egg shell membrane, although the ingredient I’m really excited about here is the skin-soothing beta-glucan, as well as some wonderful skin repairing forms of zinc and magnesium. This serum can be bought at Nordstrom.
9. Philosophy Help Me Retinol Night Treatment
This exceptional retinol treatment has a light, oil-free formula that sinks quickly into the skin, without leaving behind even a hint of grease. This non-irritating retinol product, like any other retinol, has a host of benefits to prevent premature aging, but it seems to agree especially well with oily skin. It perfects the skin’s texture, minimizing the look of pores, allowing pimples and breakouts to disappear faster. It can be purchased at Ulta.
Best Skin-Brightening Retinol Products
10. Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Serum
This ultra light serum might sink into your skin unnoticed, but after regular use the results will be readily apparent. The retinol in this formula will smooth fine lines, while the ferulic acid will protect from free radical damage, and liquorice root extract will brighten the skin. It is a gentle yet extremely effective formulation. It can be purchased at Sephora.
Photos via Sephora