18 Best Retinol Serums and Creams for Smoother, Brighter Skin, According to Derms

Glamour contributor Jenny Singer says you should ignore the science-y packaging and buy this less-than-$15 Inkey List product! “It's a nonirritating, incredibly gentle retinoid,” she says. “Very one-and-done.” Since it has squalane oil in the formula, it's a great starter retinol. If your skin freaks out at first, use it every other night or less, and always wear SPF while using retinoids. “Go forth and age gorgeously,” she says.

Active ingredients: Retinol, retinoid, squalane / Retinol concentration: 1% / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Budget-friendly; spreads well
• Cons: Some users complain about the smell.

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After reading this review of the DE A-Passioni, Glamour contributor Brionna Jimerson decided it was time to introduce her skin to retinol. “I've heard cautionary tales about side effects like drying and peeling, but thanks to the ‘buffering’ trick, I was prepared,” she says. “The vitamin A combined with the jojoba oil in this retinol product delivered a radiant glow the morning after my first application.” Word of caution: That whole “apply a pea-size amount” rule is 100% true for this cream—less is more. “After a few weeks of nightly use, I noticed my complexion was wildly radiant, if I do say so myself,” she says.

Active ingredients: Vegan retinol, peptides, vitamin F / Retinol concentration: 1% / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Hydrating oils; vegan retinol
• Cons: Expensive

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Glamour contributor Deanna Pai says “every dermatologist she's ever interviewed uses retinol on a nightly basis—so it made sense for me to do the same, especially now that I'm 30.” She says you “can't go wrong with this formula,” which delivers a combo of highly concentrated retinol, a glucose complex to fortify my skin barrier, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate. “I get all the firming and smoothing benefits of retinol cream without the telltale flakes.”

Active ingredients: Glycerin, dimethicone, retinol, hyaluronic acid / Retinol concentration: Not listed / Size: 1.7 ounces

• Pros: Budget-friendly; comes in a fragrance-free version
• Cons: Retinol is low on ingredients list.

“When I decided it was time to introduce my face to retinoids, I asked my derm for a prescription-strength retinol formula—I’m a skin care extremist,” says Kim Fusaro, Glamour global executive director of global brand marketing. “Instead she suggested a baby step: SkinMedica’s Retinol 0.25 Complex.” Because it contains a minimal amount of retinol, it’s a gentle way to ease into retinol use without the redness and flaking that often accompany it. “Once my skin could tolerate that product daily, I graduated to the brand’s 0.5 complex and then the 1.0.”

Active ingredients: Retinol, niacinamide, squalane / Retinol concentration: 0.5% / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Multiple concentrations available; easy to spread
• Cons: Expensive

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“One miserable year with the side effects, prescription-strength Retin-A was enough to put me off anything that sounded remotely similar, but I reached for this cream after a stretch of dull-skin days and haven’t looked back,” says Wu. “While I still had traces of dark spots after using this silky cream for two weeks, they faded at a rate my other products simply couldn't replicate. The clogged pores over my nose and on my forehead diminished, and breakouts healed faster. My skin was dewier than ever, and the shudder-inducing memories of my face on Retin-A faded into the far reaches of my mind.”

Active ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, wild gooseberry extract / Retinol concentration: 0.5% / Size: 1.7 ounce

• Pros: A little goes a long way; lemon-like scent
• Cons: Expensive

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Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Branford, Connecticut, says she wants everyone to have access to high-quality acne treatments: “That's why I love the fact that this over-the-counter retinoid has prescription-strength ingredients such as adapalene, a form of retinol that's great for targeting acne.” Bonus: It's made without oil or fragrance, so even sensitive skin can tolerate it.

Active ingredients: Adapalene / Retinol concentration: 0.1% / Size: 1.6 ounces

• Pros: Safe for sensitive skin; budget-friendly
• Cons: Low retinol concentration

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Even if you ease this potent face serum into your bedtime routine, the brand recommends starting with just two applications in the first week. You can expect to see results quickly, as it contains 0.3% pure retinol—enough to brighten your complexion and smooth even deep wrinkles. It also has glycerin and hyaluronic acid to counteract the drying effects of the retinol that former Glamour senior beauty editor Lindsay Schallon says left her skin feeling hydrated and soft.

Active ingredients: Pure retinol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin / Retinol concentration: 0.3% / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Pure retinol; hydrating ingredients counteract irritation.
• Cons: Small bottle

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Please save yourself hundreds of dollars on luxury antiaging treatments and buy a retinol from The Ordinary, says Singer, “which costs a little more than an hour of minimum-wage labor and is backed by rigorous research instead of random claims of ‘pearl essence’ or whatever.” She particularly likes this one, because it's lower-strength and delivered with squalane, for minimal irritation. “Start by using it one to three times per week, only at night, and know that if you don’t wear sunscreen after using it, it will damage your skin. Play by those rules and be wowed.” Our tester was, indeed, impressed. “I'm obsessed with The Ordinary, and their retinol serum did not disappoint. I've been using it routinely and noticed a difference with my skin texture and acne, specifically,” says Isabelle Halpern.

Active ingredients: Squalane, jojoba seed oil, retinol / Retinol concentration: 0.5% / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Budget-friendly; great for beginners
• Cons: Should be refrigerated

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To make up for the side effects of a late night (or three consecutive ones), Glamour contributor Khaliha Hawkins says she'll treat her face to this luxe serum. “The antiaging retinol formula goes on smoothly and leaves my skin feeling perkier instantly—so long, fine lines and wrinkles,” she says. “Plus, I appreciate the single-serving capsules, so I know I’m never under- or overdoing it.”

Active ingredients: Dimethicone, sunflower seed oil, retinol / Retinol concentration: Not listed / Size: 60 count

• Pros: Easy dosing; capsules are biodegradable.
• Cons: Expensive

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Dr. Shainhouse likes this budget-friendly night treatment that contains both alpha hydroxy acids, “which help to unstick and exfoliate dulling, dead skin cells immediately,” as well as retinol, “which stimulates cell turnover and new collagen production over time.” With regular use over two to three months, she says these can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Active ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin, retinol, squalane / Retinol concentration: Not listed / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Budget-friendly; hypoallergenic
• Cons: Retinol concentration is not listed.

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Another serum Dr. Shainhouse cosigns is this multipurpose product from Dr. Dennis Gross that “contains a number of antiaging ingredients that work well together to minimize the appearance of fine lines and skin discoloration, and to stimulate new collagen growth over time.” It also contains hyaluronic acid, which, she says, “draws hydration into the top layers of skin, temporarily plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines,” as well as ferulic acid, a strong antioxidant that helps to undo UV and pollution-related free radical damage to DNA and collagen, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that gently exfoliate the top layer of dulling dead skin cells.”

Active ingredients: Retinol, bakuchiol, rambutan / Retinol concentration: Not listed / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Packed with nourishing ingredients; brightening
• Cons: Expensive

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Sometimes you don't want a super powerful serum, but more of a multi-tasking product—like this one that Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle raves about. “I used this thick moisturizer as a night cream until the very last drop,” she says. “My skin felt incredibly hydrated and firm when I woke up in the morning, and I didn’t experience any redness or irritation.” Likely because the fragrance-free and non-comedogenic formula also counts hyaluronic acid—a fantastic thirst-quencher, as one of its superstar ingredients.

Active ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid / Retinol concentration: Not listed / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Thick and creamy formula, doubles as a moisturizer, drugstore brand
• Cons: Retinol concentration isn't listed

If you're a newbie to retinol or have skin that's easily inflammed, peep this cute green bottle recommended by Glamour commerce editor Jake Smith. “I recently started using Byoma’s serum as my first-ever retinol. (I'd been meaning to start using one for ages, but I was terrified of the retinol uglies.) This gentle oil has proven to be a perfect intro—it’s super-moisturizing and absorbs easily. Rather than feeling harsh or shocking my skin into submission, it just feels like another layer of protection in my nighttime routine." And those “uglies”—the redness and dryness, we presume—have stayed away, he says. “But my frequent breakouts and one-off pimples have slowed down significantly since I started using this serum.”

Active ingredients: Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, barrier lipids, squalane / Retinol concentration: Not listed / Size: 1.01 ounces

• Pros: Fragrance- and alcohol-free, safe for sensitive skin, recycled packaging
• Cons: Results won't be as dramatic as stronger formulas

Most retinols are known for being a bit harsh on sensitive skin, but this serum is an exception to the rule. Specifically designed for sensitive skin, this serum works to diminish fine lines sans any irritation you may have experienced when experimenting with other products. “It contains a blend of retinol and retinyl propionate to provide maximum results,” says Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine. It also has peptides that work to strengthen the skin barrier, she says. And last, but certainly not least, it packs plenty of hydration benefits. The brand claims you'll stay moisturized for up to 24 hours.

Active ingredients: Retinol complex, peptides, glycerin / Retinol concentration: .3% / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Great concentration of retinol, hydrates for up to 24 hours
• Cons: Contains some synthetic fragrance

To really target fine lines and wrinkles, this serum contains a powerful combo of retinol and bakuchiol—an ingredient that works just like retinol, but is gentler on skin. It also packs vitamin C to for brightening benefits and antioxidants like ectoin to protect skin from environmental stressors. “This is part of my regular routine, and I apply it every two days at night,” says Glamour commerce writer Andrea Navarro. “I mostly use clinical-grade skin care, my skin was able to tolerate it, but anyone who's on the fence should try it every three days instead.” As for the results, Navarro notes that her skin tone and texture is more even after a long battle against acne scars and lesions.

Active ingredients: Retinol, shea butter, bakuchiol, rice bran extract, vitamin C / Retinol concentration: .3% / Size: 1 ounce

• Pros: Smooths and brightens, fast-acting
• Cons: Some users complain about the smell

You'll be shocked, indeed—by the way this serum reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and leaves skin silky soft. Testers say it's lightweight and absorbs quickly, but is more nourishing than most retinols, thanks to the addition of shea butter and castor oil. “When I really need to get my back in a good place, I reach for this retinol fluid,” says Glamour's Navarro. “It's a stronger retinol, so it's ideal for any time that I've been slacking on my skin care routine, like after traveling for example.” Navarro also adds that its potent formula visibly brightens up her skin and gets rid of any texture faster than others.

Active ingredients: Retinol, shea butter, castor oil / Retinol concentration: Not listed / Size: 1.7 ounces

• Pros: Hydrating, lightweight, absorbs quickly
• Cons: Expensive