10 best retinol products: Creams, serums and moisturisers with anti-ageing benefits
There are all kinds of lotions and potions that promise to turn the tides of time, but few deliver the results we’d like. Retinol is one of the few anti-ageing ingredients that is actually backed by a fair chunk of science.
“Retinol is considered the gold standard for anti-ageing products, and for good reason,“ says dermatologist Dr Howard Murad.
”It dramatically improves all key signs of ageing, minimising the look of wrinkles and crow’s feet while lifting and firming skin. But the benefits go beyond anti-ageing: it visibly brightens dark circles, reduces dullness and even helps to fight acne.”
While looking for a retinol product, you may also come across the term “retinoid” used almost interchangeably. In fact, retinoid is the umbrella name for a group of ingredients that all derive from vitamin A, including retinol, tretinoin and a whole host of others; some are gentler than others, and some are prescription only.
Retinol is the most common type that is available over the counter, and it has all the benefits of prescription-only products (which have more dramatic effect but can also have significant side effects) – increasing cell turnover and encouraging the production of collagen, improving the appearance of sun damage and scarring, and evening out tone and texture – but is less potent and more gentle on the skin.
Retinol comes in different strengths and can cause irritation upon first use, particularly for those with sensitive skin. Start with smaller doses and work your way up. “You can build up your tolerance over time,” says Dr Murad. “Introduce it slowly by using small doses up to three times a week, and build up to using it more frequently.” We’ve noted which products are best for first time users or well-versed retinol users.
Whether you're a first-time user or a seasoned retinol expert, we've compiled our favourite retinol products, testing them over time on different skin types and ages, and looking for application experience in the short-term, as well as long-term results. All our picks were found to visibly reduce fine lines and/or scarring, and gave smoother, brighter skin.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
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Dr Dennis Gross ferulic and retinol wrinkle recovery overnight serum
If we could choose just one retinol, price be damned, this would be it. Skin texture and elasticity is visibly improved after just a week’s use, as are sunspots and long-standing forehead lines, and skin is softer, smoother and brighter. It also contains ferulic acid, which penetrates deep into the lower levels of skin, boosting the effectiveness of the retinol, and helps keep it stable. Ferulic acid has powers of its own, too, protecting against environmental damage and improving dark spots, elasticity and texture. Together, these ingredients make this a real powerhouse of a product.
Buy now £88.00, Amazon
Indeed Labs retinol reface
This brand offers a good line of effective, competitively priced formulas using the kind of hero ingredients usually reserved for higher end brands. Its retinol doesn’t have the luxury feel of more expensive offerings, with its squeezy tube, thin consistency and lack of fragrance, but its results match products five times the price. A great place to start if you’re looking to test the waters without spending too much.
Buy now £13.33, Boots
Kate Somerville +retinol vitamin C moisturiser
This, from the cult US brand, is a cream formula, making it more gentle on the skin; use it as you would a night cream. It combines all the benefits of retinol with those of vitamin C, which also encourages collagen production and helps defend the skin against environmental damage caused by free radicals. It’s a midweight cream that absorbs quickly, but its moisturising effects last for a long time following application, and it has a lovely citrus scent. We also love the packaging: it’s a pot with a pump, so you don’t have to unhygienically dip your fingers into it.
Buy now £77.00, Cult Beauty
Murad resurgence retinol youth renewal serum
This is part of Murad’s three-product retinol range (which includes an eye cream and a night cream). Freshly dispensed it looks like a fairly thick balm, but massaged into the skin it is incredibly light and cooling, and absorbs immediately, leaving behind a subtle, fresh fragrance. It gets to work quickly on fine lines; our testers saw an improvement in two weeks, even on stubborn lines on the forehead and around the mouth.
Buy now £75.00, Murad
Dermalogica age smart treatment overnight retinol repair set
Price aside, this is a brilliant combo for those who are new to retinol or who have sensitive skin. It contains a 0.5 per cent retinol serum and a moisturising “buffer” cream, with which you mix the serum to make it gentler on the skin. Start with mixing it three parts buffer to one part serum, then slowly reduce the amount of buffer until your skin is able to tolerate the serum alone. If you’d rather continue with the cream application, you can mix the serum with your normal moisturiser once the tube of buffer has run out.
Buy now £75.00, Fell Unique
Elizabeth Arden retinol ceramide capsules line erasing night serum
To guarantee maximum potency (many ingredients degrade from exposure to air and/or sunlight), Elizabeth Arden’s retinol comes in individual, biodegradable capsules that you tear into for each use. We can’t quite testify to the brand’s claim that this makes its capsules 76 per cent more potent than non-encapsulated retinol, but we can confirm that the formula is thick and velvety with excellent slip, and that skin felt immediately plumper after use.
Buy now £72.00, Amazon
Lixirskin night switch retinol
If you prefer the gentle application of a cream but don’t want to replace your usual moisturiser, Lixirskin’s retinol is designed to be mixed with a moisturiser – the brand would suggest you use its own, but we’ve found it just as effective combined with others. It gives super-soft, smooth, brightened skin without irritation or peeling.
Buy now £28.00, Cult Beauty
REN bio retinoid anti-ageing concentrate
For a different kind of formula, REN offers a retinol-packed oil (combining vitamin A, pro-vitamin A and a retinoid analogue), which those with dry skin will love. Skin was noticeably plumped up and more supple the morning after use. The brand suggests using this before your serum or moisturiser, as you normally would with a retinol, but this goes against everything we know about layering: water-based products before oil-based. We tried it both ways, and found no difference applying it after a thin layer of moisturiser and skipping our usual facial oil.
Buy now £47.00, Space NK
Sunday Riley A+ high-dose retinoid serum
If you’re a first-time retinol user we’re going to suggest that you slowly back away from this one. It’s a strong formulation, containing a 6.5 per cent retinoid blend of three different forms, and even well-seasoned retinol users might find a little irritation after the first few applications. However, it’s the most effective retinol we’ve tried for reducing the appearance of acne scars, and also has visible brightening and tightening effects. As with all retinols, build up use slowly, paying careful attention to how your skin reacts.
Buy now £70.00, Space NK
Holy Grail retinol repair skin creme
This minimalist brand does a great line of simple, essential, minimalist skincare – it makes just four products – at moderate prices. Its retinol cream is an incredibly gentle, lightweight moisturiser, which balances one per cent retinol with moisturising and soothing hyaluronic acid and aloe vera. We love it for sensitive skin, but its price, packaging and formula will appeal to all.
Buy now £23.99, Holy Grail
Retinol FAQs
Should I use a cream or a serum?
We advise that those with sensitive skin try a cream rather than a serum. The cream acts as a kind of buffer, coupling retinol with hydration, to soothe skin and minimise tightness and dryness at the source. If you already have a moisturiser that you know your skin likes and you don't want the faff of adding another step to your routine, try a retinol booster, which you can mix with your existing product. Those without sensitive skin should try a serum, as their light formulas mean they are able to penetrate the skin quickly.
When should I start using a retinol?
Studies have shown that we lose one per cent of collagen every year from the age of 20, so the best time to start using products to boost its production is in your twenties. You may not have seen any visible signs of ageing yet, but retinol can be preventative too. That's not to say that if you didn't start young you won't see the benefits: “The effects of retinol are seen at any ages and will always optimise your skin's health,” says dermatologist Dr Howard Murad.
How is best to apply it?
Retinols may increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so they should always be used at night. Apply on clean skin, after cleansing and toning, before you continue with your moisturiser, oil or other serums. As always, use an SPF during the day to protect your skin from sun damage, one of the main factors in skin ageing.
Are there any side effects?
Each person's skin may react differently to retinols; some may experience absolutely no irritation on first use, others may find their skin dry, tight or even red and peeling after application. In almost all cases, any negative side effects decrease with repeated use and your skin should acclimatise within two to four weeks. If your skin becomes more irritated with repeated use, stop. “You can build up your tolerance over time,” says Dr Murad. “Introduce it slowly by using small doses up to three times a week, and build up to using it more frequently.”
What percentage of retinol should I use?
You'll find that many brands don't list the percentage retinol of their products, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Percentages aren't a straightforward measure: what matters is the type of retinoid, its molecular weight (and therefore how deeply it penetrates skin) and its formulation. Some over-the-counter products will be technically higher percentage retinol than prescription-only ones, but the latter will still be more potent. The formula makes a difference, too: a 0.3 per cent serum will be more effective than a 0.3 per cent cream. If you are concerned with the percentage, most will be in the 0.25 to one per cent range, but even very small doses have still been shown to be effective with consistent and repeated use.
The verdict: Retinol products
Dr Dennis Gross’s blend of retinol and ferulic acid stood above the crowd in our testing process, but those on a budget will find Indeed Labs’ retinol reface far more effective than the price suggests. For retinol newbies, we recommend Dermalogica’s clever system, so that you can adjust the dose as your skin needs.
