If your dull skin, dark spots, or fine lines have been making you toss and turn, retinol cream may just be calling your name. Over the years, retinol has emerged as a skin-care juggernaut, thanks to its many anti-aging benefits and powerful effects on transforming skin. But in a sea of over-the-counter products and overly-hyped marketing, it can be tricky to separate what’s fact from fiction regarding this buzzy ingredient. In order to find out what’s the best retinol cream for you, let’s start with some of the basics first.
What is retinol?
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that comes from the larger family of retinoids. It’s most commonly used in OTC products because it’s less harsh than its retinoid cousins. But don’t let that fool you—it’s still a heavyweight champion among skin-care ingredients, especially when it comes to delivering positive effects on problematic skin. In fact, many people use it to help treat an array of skin concerns, including hyperpigmentation, dark spots and most notably, fine lines and wrinkles.
“Retinol is perhaps the best studied ingredient we have to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. He adds, “It works by binding to receptors in the skin that stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to strengthen the foundation of the skin and fill in lines.” To help you narrow down some of the best retinol creams, take a peek at some derm-approved options below.
Best over-the-counter retinol creams
Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 — $76.00
While great for promoting cell turnover and reducing uneven skin color, this concentrated retinol cream from Skinceuticals is potent and effective. It contains 0.5 percent pure retinol and a stabilized formula to help minimize the potential of irritation while upholding the strength of the retinol. Not to mention, it’s non comedogenic (aka, non-clogging).
Olay Regenerist Retinol24 + Peptide Night Face Moisturizer — $29.00
This Olay face moisturizer is tried-and-true—and for good reason. And the brand’s Regenerist Retinol 24 + Peptide is an even more potent version of the original. Not only is it one of the more affordable options on this list at $28, but it also contains hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and amino peptides. Together these elements can help tackle dull skin and increase the skin’s firmness, while giving you much-needed hydration.
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum — $54.00
For those who may be sensitive to the effects of retinol, bakuchiol is an ingredient that you need on your radar ASAP. Although it’s not a replacement for retinol, dermatologists agree that it can be effective for those who can’t tolerate retinol, such as people with sensitive skin and nursing parents.
“Bakuchiol is derived from an Asian plant and its seeds and acts on the skin to up-regulate retinol receptors—proteins [in] the skin that help with skin turnover and many of the skin rejuvenating benefits that retinols afford,” says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon. “Bakuchiol tends to decrease redness and irritancy of the skin compared to retinol,” Palm continues. It’s even something she adds to retinols and trinoids to help with tolerance.
SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream — $120.00
Although a bit pricey, this night cream formula is truly one of the best, according to Robert Finney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor. While the formula is potent, it’s also very well thought-out and backed by real, hardcore data. What makes it so strong is that it “actually combines [retinol] with a little bit of lactic and glycolic acid, which allows the retinoic acid to penetrate quicker,” says Finney, who adds, “So it’s not sitting on the surface of the skin and cycling there waiting to penetrate in to the skin.”
Pond’s Rejuveness Skin Tightening Serum — $8.00
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly retinol option, this is definitely one to consider. For $8, you certainly get a bang for your buck with this serum, thanks to its vitamin B3 and retinol as a one-two-punch combo that’s designed to help reduce signs of aging and boost the skin’s elasticity.
SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5 — $78.00
One of Palm’s personal picks is this retinol treatment from SkinMedica. Apart from the retinol ingredient itself, it also contains algae extract and a special formula of antioxidants to help soften and hydrate the skin so your skin barrier isn’t easily irritated.
Best retinol creams for acne-prone skin
Differin Gel — $12.00
Why this one works is because it’s tried-and-true. At one point, you could only get adapelene as a prescription, but now you can find it in just about any drugstore—and it’s FDA-approved. Its prescription-like strength and stabilized formula is what makes this a hands-down winner for those struggling with acne.
Best retinol creams for wrinkled skin
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Retinol Night Cream — $16.00
Made with a non-oily and non-comedogenic formula, this RoC cream is actually stuff of legend among regular skin-care lovers and dermatologists alike. Part of the reason for that is it’s stabilized, which means it won’t easily upset your skin. “I’m a big fan of the RoC Retinol Correction,” Zeichner says. “The product uses a stabilized form of retinol in a hydrating base that minimizes potential irritation.”
What is the difference between a retinol cream and retinol serum?
The truth is you can’t go wrong with either retinol cream or retinol serum. The main difference between the two comes down to their consistency and how they play nice with your other skin-care products. Because retinol serums are lighter by nature, you can freely pair them together with a moisturizer. However, retinol creams are thicker and often have more hydrating ingredients already built in, so you don’t have to apply an additional moisturizer. For those who prefer a simple beauty regimen, it may be better to opt for retinol cream over the serum.
“If you’re lazy and have no steps to [your routine] and you want to add a retinol, a retinol night cream that’s going to have hydrating ingredients is going to be better,” says Finney. “If you’re already using a very good moisturizer and you want something lighter weight, [use] a serum.”
How do you apply and use retinol?
While you may be tempted to slather a gum ball drop of retinol on your face in hopes of accelerating results, you should take it slow. (Patience, young grasshopper. Patience.) As a general rule, you should start off using a pea-size amount on your face just twice a week, otherwise your run the risk of betraying your skin and causing unnecessary irritation, according to Palm. “First use only every third night for two weeks, then every other night for two weeks, then nightly within about a month as tolerated,” says Palm. In this way, your skin can calmly adjust to the frequency.
At the same time, retinol isn’t for everyone. Pregnant women are advised not to take the vitamin A derivative—or any retinoid for that matter—due to potential risks associate with childbirth. Also, when choosing a retinol cream, it’s important to remember that there’s no one-size fits all. You must always take into consideration your skin type, tolerance, and intention of using the product. When all else fails, it’s best to stick to trusted brands with a history of credible skin-care practices.
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