I’ve Tested 100+ Retinol Creams—and These Are the *Best* Ones (2024)

I'm obsessed with this retinol cream from Skinbetter—and board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, and licensed aesthetician Victoria Russo are too. Truly, it's the best OTC retinol cream I've tested and gives comparable results to Rx options like Retin-A or Altreno. "Alpharet contains so many great ingredients, including anti-agers like retinol and glycolic acid, plus antioxidants and hydrators like niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid," says Dr. Marchbein. And because of the added glycolic acid, most people see glow the next morning after using it, says Russo. "There's some instant gratification which isn't typical with retinol products."

• Key ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, lactic acid, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "This cream has transformed my skin," reads a review. "It's made my pores smaller, forehead wrinkles smoother, and my face so so glowy—I'm obsessed!"

Most retinol creams can only be used at night since retinol can be destabilized by sunlight. One of the few exceptions? This retinol day cream from StriVectin. It contains a time-released form of retinol that's minimally-sensitizing and safe for daytime use, plus SPF 30 sunscreen to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays. The texture is great too. While testing, I used it as the last step in any morning skincare routine (after cleansing, toning, and applying serum) and before makeup without any piling or greasy texture.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, peach flower extract
• Fragrance-free? No

Glowing Customer Review: "This product has been amazing at minimizing signs of aging," reads one tester's review. "I also love that it has SPF which makes it the perfect product for being out in the sun in the summer. My skin feels hydrated and great!"

If you use only one thing on your skin before bed, let it be this retinol night cream from Allies of Skin. The multitasking formula brightens, smooths, and moisturizes while you sleep thanks to a combo of retinol, peptides, antioxidants, and plant oils. The formula feels really hydrating, but unlike other night creams I've tested, it doesn't feel overly thick or pore-clogging on my skin which I love.

• Key ingredients: Retinaldehyde, peptides, antioxidants, argan oil
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "This is a really great quality night cream, writes one tester. "It is the type of product that you will find at an aesthetician spa or office. My skin is clearer, brighter, and overall softer in the morning after using this. The pump is great and makes it easy to dispense the product."

I love using this retinol cream as a spot treatment on dark marks and melasma. The tube is tiny so you def don't want to use this as an allover treatment, but it's great for fading specific spots and areas of discoloration without sensitizing skin or causing a reaction with other actives you may be using in your skincare routine. During testing, I used it as a part of SkinMedica's entire Even & Correct system (it includes this retinol dark spot cream as well as treatment pads and a serum) and really noticed a difference in my skin tone and overall glow.

• Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, retinol, kojic acid, vitamin C
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "I've been experiencing brown spots with age, so I started using the SkinMedica Brightening Pads the and Even and Correct Advance Brightening Treatment...so far my skin is looking great!," writes a tester.

Retinol can be notoriously drying, so if you have dry skin it's important to look for a formula that's packed with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like this retinol cream from Paula's Choice. In addition to retinol and line-smoothing peptides, it uses a blend of jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, and fatty acids to nourish and plump skin for an ultra-glowy look.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, jojoba oil, green tea extract, hyaluronic acid
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "This really does work for moisturizing and for brightening the skin," writes a tester. "It is a good retinol cream for beginners—just start slowly if you’re new to retinol, but it is very gentle in my opinion."

Differin 0.1% is an over-the-counter version of the stronger prescription-strength Different 0.3 %, says Dr. Marchbein. "It's a great retinol for treating acne, and it also provides anti-aging benefits." Differin contains a specific type of retinoid called adapalene that regulates cell turnover to keep pores clear and reduces redness and inflammation over time. Apply a pea-size dot all over your clean, dry skin every other night after your moisturizer, and your breakouts (and fine lines) should fade in just a few months.

• Key ingredient: Adapalene
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "I honestly have no complaints about the product," write one tester. "I've been using it for about 6 months now. It was recommended to me by my dermatologist. It didn't seem to start taking effect until 2-3 months in. I use it everyday and it isn't overbearing or irritating and I have super sensitive skin. It has helped reduced my acne as well as overall just make my skin shine and look so much healthier and clear."

The only thing worse than breakouts? The annoying acne scars and marks that they leave behind. Luckily, this retinol cream from Hero Cosmetics can help fade those acne marks without irritating your skin. The retinol brings new, undamaged skin cells to the surface, while allantoin and squalane help soothe and moisturize damaged skin.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, squalane, allantoin, panthenol
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "This is the second retinol product I've tried, and it definitely works," writes one tester. "It goes on pretty thick, but I saw results after just one use. In the morning my face was definitely smooth and just all around great. Will aim for once a week with this stuff! Great price too!"

All retinol creams will help smooth fine lines and improve skin texture to some degree, but if wrinkles are your primary skin concern, this is the retinol cream you need to try. "It contains retinaldehyde—one of the strongest OTC retinols—along with peptides to boost elastin and collagen production," says Dr. Marchbein. "There's even vitamin E and Avene's thermal spring water to help soothe skin and minimize redness too."

• Key ingredients: Retinaldehyde, vitamin E, peptides, thermal spring water
• Fragrance-free: Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "So I don’t ever write reviews, but I actually fell in love with this product," writes a tester. "I’m 33, but started developing fine lines and light wrinkles around my eye area and mouth. I’ve only been using this product for a week and have seen a noticeable difference in my skin. I only use this product at night right after my normal skincare routine and it is really gentle on my skin. It is pricey, but I find it is definitely worth the cost."

For people who have hyperpigmentation—including sun spots, dark spots, and your everyday discoloration—dermatologist Kiran Mian, DO points to this over-the-counter option. "This topical retinol, created by TikTok's Doctorly, combines the anti-pigment effects of retinol with other brightening heavy-hitters to create an effective yet gentle cream," she says. "It's tolerable even for those with sensitive skin."

• Key Ingredients: Retinol, mandelic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide
• Fragrance-free: Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "I was a little skeptical at first because I’ve bought a lot of products claiming to remove dark spots but they didn’t really work for me, but THIS…. I don’t even know what to say; it’s like a miracle literally it’s the only product that’s actually worked and I’m very pleased with the results. (The photos are 2 weeks apart)."

This is the first over-the-counter retinol cream I ever tested and I was so impressed with the results, says Russo. "It's cosmetically elegant and didn't make my skin dry and flakey like many Rx retinol treatments tend to do." The magic? A combo of 1 percent retinol, peptides, and vitamin F to effectively smooth and brighten skin—all with minimal redness and irritation. The clean beauty formula is also free of parabens, silicones, fragrance, and dyes, making it a good retinol choice for sensitive skin types.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, peptides, vitamin F
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "After years of skin problems, this retinol cream was my skin savior," writes a reviewer. "It really improved my skin tone and texture and got rid of all the bumps and dark marks on my cheeks and forehead."

A favorite retinol cream of Russo's, Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3 is a solid choice for anyone who is new to the retinol game. The combo of time-released retinol and soothing bisabolol resurface and plump skin without making your skin feel tight or dry. "As long as you use the recommended pea size amount and start off using it once or twice a week, there's a minimal chance of sensitive," says Russ0.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, bisabolol
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "I went with the 0.3 because I hadn't regularly used retinol before," reads one tester's review. "I started out 2-3x per week for 2 weeks, then bumped it up to every day and my skin had no adverse reactions. So far I'm really pleased. I use in combination with CE Ferulic and hyaluronic acid and my skin looks amazing."

Retinol—provided you use it in an cream that's specifically formulated to be used around your eyes, like this one from La Roche-Posay—is fantastic at smoothing crow's feet and reducing the appearance of dark circles. The formula has never once irritated the skin around my eyes (a rarity especially when it comes to retinol eye creams) and it has a silky gel-cream texture that glides on skin and sinks in quickly sans residue. As for the results, expect fewer fine lines and less noticeable puffiness and dark circles after about a month of regular use.

• Key ingredients: Retinol, caffeine, thermal spring water
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "The change in my under eyes has been remarkable from using this," writes a tester. "I use it every night and I noticed a huge difference in about a week. I have tried tons of other under eye creams. This doesn’t leave your skin in that awkward dry stage before the skin peels off. You just slowly notice it gently exfoliating."

Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Cream is an absolute drugstore skincare classic. The iconic formula is loved for its ability to smooth and plump lines with a combo of retinol and hyaluronic acid. And because the retinol in the formula is stabilized, it can be used in the morning or at night.

• Key ingredients:
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "This stuff has really worked wonders on my skin," reads one tester's review. " It cleared my pores after about a month and my blemishes have faded very nicely. I did have some fine lines around my eyes and those are almost gone too—my skin is very smooth!"

I love everything about this retinol body lotion. The texture is lightweight but still feels super moisturizing (thanks to a dose of shea butter and safflower seed oil) and with continued use the formula really helps smooth and firm below-the-chin skin. I use it all over my body when I get out of the shower and then add a little more to my elbows and knees where my skin tends to look a bit more crepey.

• Key ingredients: Encapsulated retinol, shea butter
• Fragrance-free? Yes

Glowing Customer Review: "So smooth and silky," writes one tester. "That's how my skin felt right away. This lotion has such a beautiful and light texture. It absorbs quickly and is very easy to rub into skin. I'm using it on my chest, buttocks, and lower legs and loving it. Highly recommend."

If you're a newbie, you'll want to use your retinol cream sparingly. "Start by using your retinol cream every other night for a few weeks and increase the usage as the weeks go on," says Russo.

Your skin type also plays in, especially as you find your sweet spot of regular use that doesn't trigger side effects. "Because retinol can cause dryness, those with sensitive skin may only be able to tolerate it two to three times a week, whereas those with normal skin may be able to tolerate it more frequently," says Dr. Mian.

Ultimately, your frequency should be whatever keeps you consistent. "I compare it to exercise—you don't have to do it every day, but as long as you're consistent a few times a week and continue to comfortably challenge yourself, you'll see results," she says.

The side effects of retinol include dryness, irritaton, and peeling. These "happen because retinol stimulates skin cell turnover," says Dr. Mian. "You may experience some flaking and peeling, as dead skin cells on the stratum corneum are sloughed off."

The good news: You kind of *want* to see this. "It means the retinol is doing its job," says Dr. Mian. Just keep in mind that you should also take is as a sign to pile on the moisture, since that helps skin "tolerate this increased rate of exfoliation," she says.

Think about the other ingredients in the formula.

The best retinol creams will contain retinol as well as other ingredients tailored to your skin type and skin concerns. For example, if you have dry skin and want to plump fine lines, a retinol cream that contains hyaluronic acid would be a good choice. If your primary skin goal is brightening, a retinol cream with niacinamide or vitamin C is a the move. And if you want to improve skin texture and pore size, look for a retinol cream that contains exfoliating acids like glycolic acid or lactic acid. A quick heads up, however, that retinol can leave your skin more sensitive to other ingredients and products. "As the stratum corneum sheds, our skin barrier can be disrupted, leading to irritation more readily," says Dr. Mian. "Retinol also decreases sebum production—so, while beneficial for those with oily skin, those with dry or sensitive skin can experience further dryness."

Start off low and slow.

When shopping for a new retinol cream, it is best to start with the lowest percentage you can find and then work your way up to a higher concentration—especially if you have sensitive skin or are new to using retinol, says Russo.

Opt for a fragrance-free formula.

Fragrance, whether it's synthetic or naturally-derived, can be potentially irritating when used in skincare products. My advice? Play it safe and look for a fragrance-free retinol cream to minimize any chance of flaking, redness, or sensitivity.