19 Best Retinol Serums, Creams & Products of 2024 for Every Skin Type

Skin-care innovations often arrive at the rate of iPhone updates, with smart new technologies appearing every time you blink. That being said, finding the best retinol serum or cream can be understandably overwhelming. But this powerful anti-aging ingredient shouldn’t fall by the wayside. First used in over-the-counter creams in the ’70s, this powerful form of vitamin A is prized for its proven youth-enhancing results.

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What Is Retinol?

“Retinol signals your body to produce collagen and new cells for firmer and smoother skin, while also reducing hyperpigmentation and clogged pores,” says dermatologist Dr. Anne Chapas, of its multitasking capabilities. Still, the superhero ingredient has its drawbacks, namely that it can cause dryness and irritation, especially in the colder months, and has a tendency to become unstable (and therefore ineffective) in the presence of oxygen and light.

That is, until now. The best retinol creams of the moment feature intelligent timed-release technology, anti-inflammatory peptides, ultra-replenishing moisturizers, or even airless pump packaging to keep ingredients lab-fresh. Whether you choose a weightless serum or a line-softening cream, they belong in any anti-aging routine, from the acne-prone to those with sensitive skin. Keep these in rotation year-round or use them once or twice a week for a rejuvenating boost—and watch skin transform. Read on to find Vogue’s edit of the best retinol treatments to consider, compiling favorites from dermatologists and our editors—along with some important ingredient callouts and application best practices.

Best Retinol Cream: SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3

• Why We Love It: SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3, a favorite of dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe’s, is a less invasive version of the brand’s original cult retinol formula and even includes bisabolol—chamomile extract—to help calm the skin’s irritation. Not to mention, this retinol utilizes a steady-release technology to optimize your treatment.
• Key Ingredients:  0.3% pure retinol, bisabolol (derived from the chamomile plant), boswellia serrata extract (derived from frankincense)
• Retinol Concentration: 0.3%
• Best For: Fine lines, dark spots, acne
• When to Apply: According to SkinCeuticals, apply a pea-sized amount to skin at night. The brand recommends using one to two times per week, then gradually increasing frequency to your liking.

Best Retinol Serum: Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum

• Why We Love It: Powered by a potent 6.5% solution of stabilized retinoid blends and a botanical retinol-alternative extract, Sunday Riley’s serum certainly delivers the best of the vitamin A derivative—working in tandem with conditioning ingredients to keep skin calm and balanced. With consistent use, expect an even, youthful complexion.
• Key Ingredients: Retinoid ester blend 5%, liposome-encapsulated retinol blend 1%, 0.5% blue-green algae, CoQ10, Hawaiian white honey
• Retinol Concentration: 5%
• Best For: Fine lines, dark spots, dry skin, enlarged pores
• When to Apply: According to Sunday Riley, apply one to two pumps nightly. For those with sensitive skin, follow with a moisturizing oil.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum

• Why We Love It: Anyone with acne-prone skin will find this CeraVe serum useful. Built around encapsulated retinol, which can help refine the look of pores by accelerating cellular turnover, plus licorice extract for brightening post-acne marks. Niacinamide and ceramides are featured, too, to ensure skin is kept moisturized, soothed, and balanced. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic and free of parabens and fragrances—designed to be gentle on even sensitive skin types.
• Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, licorice root extract
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Acne-prone skin, dark spots, enlarged pores
• When to Apply: According to CeraVe, this is best applied at night before moisturizer daily.

Best Retinol Cream for Dry Skin: RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Hydration Cream

• Why We Love It: “Using a retinol cream offers a host of skin benefits, including increasing the rate of skin cell turnover and exfoliating away dead skin cells to reveal healthy, new skin cells,” says dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. She recommends the RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Cream because it “offers the anti-aging benefits of retinol, combined with the ultra-hydrating and soothing benefits of hyaluronic acid.”
• Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Dry skin, wrinkles
• When to Apply: According to RoC, apply this to the face and neck morning or night. In the AM, the cream should be followed with sunscreen.

Best Brightening: Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

• Why We Love It: This Paula’s Choice has the ability to promote firm, radiant skin sans irritation or redness through its supercharged blend—powered by a high concentration, controlled-release retinol.
• Key Ingredients: 1% retinol, vitamin C, licorice extract
• Retinol Concentration: 1%
• Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines
• When to Apply: According to Paula’s Choice, apply this to the face and neck up to three times per week. Follow with sunscreen during the daytime.

Best Lightweight: Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum

• Why We Love It: One of the market’s latest formulas, the Augustinus Bader retinol serum has a dreamy, lightweight texture that manages to condition skin while diminishing the look of fine lines, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation concerns—powered by the acclaimed TFC8 you expect from the brand. When applied at night, skin feels soft, smooth, and firm even by morning.
• Key Ingredients: 0.06% pure retinol, a zinc complex, botanical extracts (manuka, black pepper, and magnolia), marine ectoine, Japanese knotweed extract, TFC8
• Retinol Concentration: 0.06%
• Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, oily skin, dry skin
• When to Apply: According to Augustinus Bader, apply this serum to the face, neck, and décolleté.

Best Retinol for Mature Skin: Lancer Advanced Retinol Treatment

• Why We Love It: Advanced plant-derived retinol, also known as bakuchiol, and collagen work together to soften the overall look of fine lines and wrinkles, while prickly pear extract plumps skin for a hydrated, smoother glow in Dr. Lancer’s treatment. It also includes the brand’s CoRetinol technology, which takes skin softness to a whole other level, improving the skin’s overall elasticity. Prickly pear is the cherry on top of this plumping formula. 
• Key Ingredients: CoRetinol technology (1.25% retinol, bakuchiol, and a soy complex), prickly pear extract, hydrolyzed collagen, squalane
• Retinol Concentration: 1.25%
• Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines, uneven texture, dryness, dullness
• When to Apply: According to Lancer, apply a thin layer of this treatment (using upward strokes) to the face, neck, and décolleté.

Best Drugstore Cream: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Face Cream

• Why We Love It: Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream, a pick of dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman’s, “uses hyaluronic acid to help add moisture to the skin,” especially if you’re looking for a drugstore alternative or have sensitive skin—just look for the fragrance-free version. That said, its blend combats fine lines, dark spots, and dullness. 
• Key Ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Dry skin, wrinkles, dark spots
• When to Apply: According to Neutrogena, apply a pearl-sized amount of product to the face and neck twice daily. In the AM, follow with sunscreen.

Best for Dark Spots: SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0

• Why We Love It: Designed to improve skin tone, texture, and elasticity, SkinMedica’s treatment is a thoughtful addition to any skin-care routine. Retinol works with an antioxidant complex to smooth intense wrinkles and diminish the look of dark spots to improve your complexion over time.
• Key Ingredients: Retinol, a PhytoShield Complex (rich in antioxidants)
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores
• When to Apply: According to SkinMedica, apply this to the entire face in the evening, starting with two to three days between treatments.

Best for Wrinkles: Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream

• Why We Love It: What’s so special about Dr. Dennis Gross’ retinol is that it’s powerful enough to treat wrinkles, yet gentle enough to not irritate skin; it’s even suitable for daytime wear. Two types of retinol are featured, plus the retinol-alternative bakuchiol, ferulic acid, and rambutan to boost skin’s collagen production, smooth fine lines, and firm over time.
• Key Ingredients: Trans-retinol, encapsulated retinol, ferulic acid, bakuchiol, rambutan, ceramides, shea butter, centella asiatica botanical extracts (willow bark, apple fruit, lemon peel)
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Wrinkles, dark spots, 
• When to Apply: According to the brand, this is best applied to clean, dry skin across the face, neck, and décolleté. If using in AM, follow with SPF.

Best Retinol Serum for Beginners: Glossier Universal Pro-Retinol

• Why We Love It: Hoping to achieve that signature Glossier glow? Be sure to add its retinol treatment to cart. Designed to benefit new and experienced users of the vitamin A derivative, this well-rounded targets various signs of aging from fine lines to bumpy texture and blemishes.
• Key Ingredients: 0.5% retinyl sunflowerate (a retinol derivative of retinol and sunflower seed fatty acids), stevia extract, mondo grass root extract
• Retinol Concentration: 0.5%
• Best For: Beginners, fine lines, enlarged pores, blemishes
• When to Apply: According to Glossier, apply a pea-sized amount of this treatment nightly, followed by a moisturizer. The brand recommends starting with one to two times per week, then gradually increasing frequency to your liking.

Best for Any Skin Type: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum

• Why We Love It: Retinal, the vitamin A derivative known to be less irritating yet more effective than retinol, is the star of Medik8’s serum, alongside a nourishing blend of hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E. Consistent use promotes improved radiance, texture, and skin tone—meaning reduced dark spots and smoothed fine lines. Crystal Retinal is available in five potency levels to help you choose the best for you—level one is designed for sensitive skin while level five is crafted for experienced vitamin A users. That being said, Crystal Retinal 3 is a perfect retinol for beginners.
• Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, glycerin
• Best For: Various retinol tolerances, dullness, uneven tone
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• When to Apply: According to Medik8, apply two pumps of the serum to the face and neck at night, followed by a moisturizer. If you’re new to retinoids, start with two times per week, increasing frequency as your skin gets accustomed.

Best for Smoothing: Shani Darden Retinol Reform Treatment Serum

• Why We Love It: Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden created this serum as a gentle retinol solution. Through its retinol and AHA-rich blend, expect firmer, smoother skin without pesky irritation or sensitivity. 
• Key Ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, lactic acid, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Sensitive skin, fine lines, wrinkles, bumpy texture, dullness
• When to Apply: According to Shani Darden Skin Care, apply two to three pumps to the face and neck at night. The brand advises against pairing with other AHA products.

Best Exfoliating: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

• Why We Love It: Drunk Elephant’s lightweight A-Passioni offers a multitude of benefits. The cream is formulated with 1% vegan retinol to exfoliate and erase any wrinkles, pollution, or UV-ray damage, such as dark spots, while vitamin F soothes the skin’s barrier, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitivities.
• Key Ingredients: 1% retinol, peptides, winter cheery juice, kale leaf extract, vitamin F, xanthophylls, botanical oils (virgin marula, passionfruit, apricot, and jojoba)
• Retinol Concentration: 1%
• Best For: Pigmentation concerns, bumpy texture, dullness, sensitivities
• When to Apply: According to Drunk Elephant, apply a pea-sized amount to clean skin morning and night. The brand recommends starting with one to two times per week, gradually increasing frequency to your liking,

Best Firming: La Roche-Posay Redermic R Retinol Cream

• Why We Love It: La Roche-Posay’s Redermic R Retinol Cream is packed with not only pure retinol but also skin exfoliants and soothing antioxidants to diminish the signs of aging without irritating sensitive skin.
• Key Ingredients: pure retinol, lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA), glycerin, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Wrinkles, Fine lines, age spots, premature sun damage
• When to Apply: According to La Roche-Posay, this cream should be applied to the face and neck at night—alone or under moisturizer.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Avène Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream

• Why We Love It: Bottled in an airless pump, the Avène RétrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream contains retinaldehyde, a less irritating form of vitamin A that stimulates cell turnover and collagen synthesis, along with French thermal spring water to provide anti-inflammatory benefits even for those with very reactive skin.
• Key Ingredients: retinaldehyde, vitamin E, pro-elastin peptide, Avène thermal spring water
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Wrinkles
• When to Apply: According to Avène, this is best applied to the face, neck, and décolleté at night, followed by sunscreen in the morning.

Best Night Cream: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

• Why We Love It: Murad’s overnight treatment infuses the brand’s Retinol Tri-Active technology, to minimize fine lines and wrinkles and prevent those you can’t yet see, with red algae (which is filled with peptides) to restore your skin’s desired bounciness.
• Key Ingredients: Retinol Tri-Active Technology (retinoid, time-released retinol, and a retinol booster), niacinamide, and dipeptide 
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Wrinkles, dullness
• When to Apply: According to Murad, apply this cream to the face, neck, and chest nightly.

Best Night Serum: Epi.Logic Double Feature Retinol + AHA Overnight Facial

• Why We Love It: From board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton’s line Epi.Logic comes the powerhouse overnight treatment—crafted specifically with black and brown skin tones in mind. The aptly named Double Feature pairs the best of retinol and exfoliating acids to keep skin smooth and even.
• Key Ingredients: Time release, encapsulated retinol and vitamin A retinoid, lactic acid, madelic acid, melatonin
• Retinol Concentration: Not listed
• Best For: Hyperpigmentation, fine lines, enlarged pores, dryness
• When to Apply: According to Epi.Logic, apply a pea-sized amount one to two times per week, gradually increasing frequency to your liking.

Best Retinol Oil: 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil

• Why We Love It: Designed to optimize your beauty sleep, 111Skin’s Celestial Black Diamond oil promises to rejuvenate dull skin. Blemishes, pigmentation, and wrinkles are just a few of the signs of aging that don’t stand a chance against its sumptuous blend.
• Key Ingredients: 1% retinol, botanical oils, diamond particles
• Retinol Concentration: 1%
• Best For: Wrinkles, fine lines, age spots
• When to Apply: According to 111Skin, apply two to three drops of the oil nightly, one to three times per week, gradually increasing frequency to your liking. Follow with SPF in the morning.

How to Use Retinol

If you plan to introduce retinol into your routine, it is important to consider its implications on your skin. Hartman says the ingredient is safe for all skin types and tones but advises patients with rosacea or overly sensitive skin to consider a retinol alternative, as not to cause further irritation. Think gentle vitamin A derivatives like retinaldehyde, retinoic acid, and retinyl esters or plant-based options like bakuchiol. What’s more, Green emphasizes that retinol is not safe for those breastfeeding or pregnant.

Retinol vs. Retinoid vs. Tretinoin

Those new to the world of this acclaimed ingredient might need a breakdown. Are they the same? Do they have the same efficacy? What’s the benefit of one over the other? To be clear, retinoid is the general term for the group of molecules that react with retinoic acid receptors on the skin to address age spots, texture, and wrinkles. (Retinoic acid is the active form of retinoids that the skin uses for anti-aging and acne-fighting benefits.) “The pure form of retinoic acid can be too harsh on the skin,” explains Green. “To combat potential irritation, scientists developed other forms of retinoids that require additional conversion steps that gradually lead to retinoic acid.” These gentler solutions include retinol, tretinoin, isotretinoin (also known as Accutane), tazarotene, and adapalene. Below, a breakdown of the most common vitamin A forms—along with some general guidance on choosing the best for your skin type—courtesy of Green.

Retinoid: Again, retinoid is the general term, including over-the-counter retinols and prescription-strength retinoids. “Sometimes, retinoid is used to describe Retin-A or tretinoin, which is pure retinoic acid, and requires a prescription by a physician. Other types of retinoids, like tazarotene, also require a prescription. Both retinol and adapalene are available over the counter without a prescription. Retinol and adapalene are gentler than prescription retinoids, making them ideal for dry, sensitive, or mature skin.”