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How to incorporate retinol into your skin care routine — plus derm-approved options to try
The benefits of retinol can include keeping pimples at bay, according to the doctors we consulted.
Honet says that this retinol serum is a “tried and true” option — it has gone through more than 100 clinical studies to confirm its effectiveness on improving sagging skin and skin texture, according to the brand. The formula includes a mineral complex to help hydrate the skin and help make the retinol more effective, according to RoC. Retinol serums, like this one, are best used after cleansing in the evening, and before you put on moisturizer, according to Honet.
NBC Select senior editor Nikki Brown and former NBC Select senior editor Lindsay Schneider both recommend this serum from Shani Darden. The retinol in this formula is encapsulated, which the brand says makes it less irritating than other types. It uses AHAs to improve your skin’s texture, and apple extract as an antioxidant to help protect against free radicals, according to the brand. Brown, who’s seen results from previous use, suggests it for those who are experienced with retinol and don’t have very sensitive skin: “It is definitely for people who can handle that potent combination of lactic acid and retinol,” she says. For best results, she recommends easing your way in, and trying the serum out for a couple days each week to start.
Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Cream is a good and relatively affordable retinol cream, according to Honet. Like other formulas on this list, it has hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and give the skin a smoother appearance without irritating the skin, according to the brand.
Honet is also a fan of Peter Thomas Roth’s “impressive, clinically effective” products, and she specifically likes the brand’s Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum. The serum has time-released 1.5% retinol — which is on the higher end for retinol products — as well as vitamins C and E. and squalane, to moisturize the skin, according to the brand. The time-release mechanism means the retinol is encased in a lipid that dissolves slowly as it sits on skin so it penetrates more slowly as well, making it more gentle on skin and great for all skin types, according to Peter Thomas Roth.
Like the serum from Peter Thomas Roth, the retinol in this Alastin formula is time-released, which can be more gentle on skin. I am a devotee to this brand — Greenwald uses their moisturizer, SPF and this retinol serum four times a week. After a few months, she noticed fine lines around her eyes were definitely not as noticeable and says her skin feels so soft and hydrated anytime she slicks it on.
Murad’s overnight treatment includes retinal, a type of retinoid that is more powerful than retinol and can similarly smooth skin texture and clear breakouts. The retinal in this formula is encapsulated, which allows it to slowly release to limit irritation, according to the brand. It also has olive leaf extracts in its formula to help with hydration.
This retinol night cream is a great option for beginners, says Schneider. “I am relatively new to retinol and haven’t broken out or had any bad reactions using this,” she says. (The brand sent samples to the NBC Select staff team to try.) “I make sure I layer with extra moisturizing products when using it and I haven’t had any peeling or dryness like I’ve had with some others I’ve tried.” This is the brand’s level one option — which is formulated with .15% retinol, and peptides to support skin elasticity — they also offer two other levels, which have increased retinol strengths. If you are new to retinol, the brand recommends starting with this level to avoid irritation.
Cerave makes some of NBC Select editors’ favorite skin products, including a cream to improve your skin barrier and one of the best moisturizers for dry skin. This serum pairs vitamin A with hyaluronic acid to improve skin texture and add moisture back into your complexion, according to the brand.
Brown, a longtime fan of Sunday Riley, loves that she can use this retinol oil on its own without having to layer on a moisturizer afterwards. “It feels so soothing and my complexion is even and glowy whenever I apply this consistently,” she says. It uses ingredients like chamomile and blue tansy to help soothe skin, along with seed oils to minimize fine lines, according to the brand.
Schneider loves the texture of this retinol moisturizer, which she received from the brand. “It’s super creamy, it feels like a moisturizer as compared to a serum” she says. “It’s on the thicker side so it’s really calming on my skin.” It’s designed to be non-irritating, making it great for beginners or those with sensitive skin, and uses ginger root extract to help soothe your skin while improving the look of fine lines, according to the brand. It should be applied in the evening after all other products, and it also works well for all skin types.
This serum is formulated with hydrating ingredients like soybean oil, lecithin and ceramides to help restore moisture to the skin, along with lipids to counteract any potential irritation from the retinol usage (making it great for sensitive skin). For best results, the brand suggests applying the serum in the evening only for the first two weeks, and then twice a day if your skin can tolerate it.
In addition to retinol treatments, there are other retinoid products on the market. (Reminder, retinoids tends to be a bit stronger than retinol.) Experts suggest looking for adapalene when shopping for retinoid products since it has been shown to minimize blemishes and fine lines.
In 2016, the FDA approved Differin Gel as an over-the-counter acne treatment. Campbell says that Differin — which has 0.1% adapalene in its formula — is a good over-the-counter retinoid option for those looking for something stronger than retinol. Experts have previously told us that it also works well on acne scars caused by hyperpigmentation.
Another recommendation from Campbell, this gel from NBC Select-staff favorite brand La Roche-Posay is one of our favorite acne spot treatments, and has 0.1% adapalene in its formula to unclog pores and fight blackheads and whiteheads, according to the brand. It’s also fragrance-free and noncomedogenic, which is good for those with sensitive skin.
AcneFree, which makes some of NBC Select editors’ favorite blackhead treatments and skin care products for oily skin, also has a 0.1% adapalene gel. It’s also the most affordable option on this list. You can apply it once at night to clean skin prior to wearing moisturizer.
This serum is specifically made for aging skin. Along with exfoliating to help address blemishes, it can even out skin tone and improve texture, according to the brand. The serum has a creamy texture that absorbs quickly. It is best used at night, as it can make your skin sensitive to the sun.
Derived from vitamin A, retinol is an active ingredient that “has been shown to increase skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen, the building block for skin, which makes it great for anti-aging and skin rejuvenation,” says Campbell.
In 1971, the FDA approved retinoids — the class of vitamin A derivatives that retinol falls into — as a topical treatment for acne. Subsequent studies have shown that retinol can improve fine wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and more.
There are several benefits to incorporating retinoids into your skin care routine. They include:
Retinol and retinoids are both forms of vitamin A, but they aren’t the same thing. A retinoid is a class of chemicals, whereas retinol is a derivative found within this class. All retinols are retinoids, but not all retinoids are retinols.
Retinols tend to be found in over-the-counter skin care products and aren’t as strong as retinoids, says Torosky. Retinoids, on the other hand, tend to be more potent and the strongest ones require a prescription. The potent products that dermatologists prescribe to patients with acne are often retinoids like tretinoin, aka retinoic acid, or tazarotene and adapalene, two types of synthetic retinoids.
Retinol can be irritating to some people, so experts recommend easing your way into using it. To do this, Campbell suggests using a pea-sized amount of your retinoid product on a clean, dry face every third or fourth night for two weeks and slowly building up to nightly use. However, Torosky says that not everyone can handle nightly use even if you try building up to it, and that’s OK: “Some [of my] patients can only handle three days a week, and others can handle every day,” she says. Wondering how you’ll know if you can handle it or not? If your skin looks red or irritated after using it nightly, scale back until you aren’t noticing those symptoms after use.
You should always use retinoid products in conjunction with a moisturizer since they can irritate and dry out the skin, according to both Torosky and Campbell. It’s also important to use them at night since they can break down in sunlight and make your skin more sensitive to the sun’s UV rays, according to experts. Campbell suggests using a mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher during the day to protect your skin.
Since retinoid is an active ingredient, there are some ingredients that you should not use in conjunction with it to avoid irritation — this is especially true if you have sensitive skin, says Torosky. She says that ingredients to avoid include:
Since retinoid products speed up skin cell turnover, it can leave your skin feeling and looking dry, red and irritated. Certain people may also experience burning and peeling while using a retinoid product, according to Campbell. Starting slow is the best way to minimize and mitigate side effects, she says. “If you find yourself too dry or irritated, you can try mixing the medication 50:50 with a moisturizer to make it more tolerable on the skin.”
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a commerce editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, I interviewed multiple board-certified dermatologists.
Morgan Greenwald is a former NBC Select editor who covered various skin care topics including stories on hyaluronic acid and moisturizers for dry skin. Greenwald has tried dozens of skin care products and brands over the years, including retinol products. For this story, Greenwald spoke to multiple board-certified dermatologists.
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