How Retinol Can Improve Your Skin and Which Ones You Should Use, According to Dermatologists

The most effective skincare routine may include just three products: cleanser, moisturizer, and retinol.

With the rise of convoluted 12-step skincare routines and an onslaught of advertisements begging us to buy the newest lotions and potions to fix all our woes, we can’t help but wonder if the right retinol is really all we need to clear our skin. But, with so many retinol-containing products to choose from, we wondered which is the most effective retinol product?

To find out which retinol products are the best, we asked five different dermatologists, with countless degrees and awards between them, what over-the-counter retinol they’d personally recommend. 

Our Expert Panel 

• Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist serving patients throughout New York and New Jersey at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell New York Presbyterian Medical Center. 
• Dr. Haleh Bakshandeh is a board-certified dermatologist and Kate Somerville Skin clinical dermatologist and medical director.
• Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah is a board-certified skin surgeon, Borghese skin expert, and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
• Dr. Robyn Gymrek is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm. She has received national recognition for her contributions to cosmetic dermatology, including Castle and Connolly America’s Top Doctors, New York Magazine’s 2013–2020 Best Doctors, and inclusion in the 2013–2020 lists of Super Doctors.
• Dr. Loretta Ciraldo is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare.

What is Retinol? 

Retinol is a form of vitamin A that is clinically proven to slow the skin aging process, reduce wrinkles, clear acne, and fade hyperpigmentation. The superstar ingredient works by penetrating the skin and stimulating cellular activity, which strengthens skin cells, reduces water loss, and prevents the degradation of collagen. Retinol is one of the most well-tolerated members of a class of chemical compounds called “retinoids,” an umbrella term that also includes retinoic acid and retinal. 

Retinol can commonly be found in over-the-counter skincare products (no prescription necessary), while prescription retinoids like Tretinoin contain retinoic acid, a more active retinoid with a higher potential to irritate the skin, especially for new users. Retinal (also known as retinaldehyde) falls in between retinol and retinoic acid in terms of irritation potential. All three retinoids “are all ultimately giving you the same benefit,” Dr. Garshick says. 

Read on for the retinol products our dermatologist panel recommends the most.

Our Expert-Recommended Picks

Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream

“When [retinol] is found in a cream, for example, in the Retinol Regenerating Cream, it's going to be in a formula that's better for those just-starting, first-time retinol users and for those with dry or sensitive skin. That cream formulation is going to leave the skin nice and nourished.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

Kate Somerville Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer

“I love combination products over layering serums. This product has retinol and vitamin C, is light, goes on smoothly, and leaves the skin hydrated. This product is so well tolerated and is a favorite of mine.”—Dr. Robyn Gymrek

Borghese Energia Retinol Renewal Night Oil

Granactive retinoids can improve skin texture and reduce signs of premature aging. They absorb quickly, penetrate deep into the skin, and aren’t oily.

“I prefer Borghese's Energia Retinol Renewal Night Oil, which contains Granactive retinoids as well as Sea Buckthorn Pulp Oil (rich in Vitamin C & E, which helps improve suppleness and reduce the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles) and Grape Pomace (helps improve elasticity and firmness) making this our star skin energizer.”—Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum

“[This serum] is powerful but also gentle enough on the skin for virtually everyone. It uses an encapsulated retinol as well as a fermented retinal. Encapsulating the retinol makes it more chemically stable and provides a gradual release of the retinol overnight, leading to less irritation. Fermenting the retinal also increases its stability, assuring that it is active when applied to the skin.”

“The addition of ceramides and linoleic acid boosts moisture and restores the skin barrier. It feels light and non-greasy, and I love that Farmacy is a partner of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization.”—Dr. Robyn Gymrek

Kate Somerville Retinol Firming Eye Cream

“I love the Kate Somerville Retinol Firming Eye cream. It targets the undereye area, which is very prone to aging crepey skin. The consistent use of a gentle retinol like this one helps to stimulate collagen and prevent the telltale signs of aging.”—Dr. Haleh Bakshandeh

RoC Retinol Correxion Max Daily Hydration Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer

“Roc Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Max Cream is a wonderful feeling retinol for dry skin. It hydrates with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and dimethicone. It is very well tolerated and provides moisture to the skin barrier overnight.”—Dr. Robyn Gymrek

Dr. Loretta Concentrated Firming Serum

Good news for folks with sensitive skin: The Firming Serum from Dr. Loretta was clinically proven to work for testers who couldn’t tolerate other retinols. This retinol serum also includes ingredients meant to repair and heal the skin barrier.

“I developed this product to address the redness, peeling and dryness (what we derms call retinoid dermatitis) that so many of my dermatology patients got from other retinol products. This product is a full 0.5 percent retinol with high levels of bioidentical skin lipids to replenish the moisture-trapping healthy skin oils that get depleted with retinol use.” —Dr. Loretta Ciraldo

Alastin Skin Care Retinol 0.25%

“Alastin Skin Care Retinol 0.25% feels great and also includes antioxidants like Coenzyme Q10 as well as ceramide oat extract and glycerin to calm the skin and protect the skin barrier from irritation. Alastin uses a lipid-encapsulated retinol to improve the delivery while minimizing irritation.”—Dr. Robyn Gymrek

Neutrogena Retinol Pro

Serums tend to be more lightweight products, which is great for those who have oilier skin. While the Neutrogena Retinol Regenerating Cream is great for those with dry skin or who are new to using retinol, Dr. Garshick recommends this more concentrated serum for those looking for a stronger retinol option.

“It uses this proprietary ingredient known as accelerated retinol sa complex, which combines retinol with hyaluronic acid and other ingredients that basically make the retinol itself most effective. And what we mean by that is that it's going to be delivered over a sustained period of time, which helps to minimize irritation to the skin.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

The Skinbetter Science Overnight Cream uses a proprietary ingredient called AlphaRet, a retinoid that also includes alpha hydroxy acid (also known as AHA) for extra smoothing results. The formula also includes soothing ceramides, hydrating glycolic acid, and a blend of antioxidants.

“SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream contains a retinol which is, in the company’s studies, equivalent to a prescription-strength retinoid but less irritating. It’s lightweight and soaks into the skin quickly.” —Dr. Robyn Gymrek

Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment

“Paula Choice 1% Retinol Treatment is also a favorite because it also includes vitamin C and is very lightweight and creamy but not greasy. It is well tolerated by most and yet provides a potent dose of retinol at 1 percent.”—Dr. Robyn Gymrek

Good Retinol Pairings

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

When it comes to choosing a face cleanser, “stronger” doesn’t always mean better — in fact, a face wash that’s gentle on the skin is often best, especially for people with sensitive skin. “You really want it to be something that [effectively removes] the things you don't want but [keeps] the things that you do want,” Dr. Garshick says.

Our favorite gentle-yet-effective cleanser (and the winner of Best Overall in our face wash test) is the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, which leaves skin feeling clean without over-drying.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

One of the common side effects of using retinol, especially for those just starting out, is dry and flakey skin. To combat parched, irritated skin, a deeply hydrating moisturizer is an important addition to your routine.

One of the best moisturizers we’ve tested for dry skin is the Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer from La Roche-Posay. It feels airy and lightweight on the skin, and because it’s fragrance-free and allergy-tested, it’s great for sensitive or irritated skin.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen

A good sunscreen is always an important final step in a good skincare routine, but it becomes even more important when using a retinol, which makes your skin “more sensitive to the sun,” says Dr. Garshick. “What happens when you use a retinol is it regulates skin cell turnover. So you're always getting a fresh new set of skin cells, and those skin cells may be more sensitive to the sun,” she explains. 

To protect those fresh new skin cells, a good sunscreen is key — luckily, we’re experts in sun protection, too. Out of the countless face sunscreens we’ve tested in our labs and at home, the Supergoop won the prestigious title of Best Overall thanks to its primer-like finish and lack of white cast. 

Why Trust PEOPLE?

Cai Cramer is a staff shopping writer for PEOPLE, and she’s written about skincare since 2021 (though she’s been researching it for a lot longer). Cai’s passion for skincare began with her first job at a facial spa when she was 16 years old and has only deepened through her journalistic training and firsthand testing of the newest skincare launches. For this story, Cai spoke with multiple award-winning dermatologists to create an accessible guide to over-the-counter retinol products informed by expert-backed recommendations.