15 Best Retinol Creams in 2025, According to Dermatologists
By Kristin Canning | Beauty & Health Editor at Self
Retinol is seemingly everywhere lately—why? The vitamin A derivative can help exfoliate dead skin, promote cell turnover, improve hyperpigmentation, even your skin’s tone and texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, Jennifer Sawaya, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with US Dermatology Partners Scottsdale, previously told SELF. Whether you’re noticing deeper lines, duller skin, acne, or old pimple scars, retinol can help (yes, even if you have sensitive skin).
Given how powerful this ingredient is, there’s a sea of products that contain it, meaning it can be a huge challenge to find one that works for your skin type and concerns without causing irritation. That’s where we come in: We asked dermatologists which are the best retinol creams to try and how to shop for a product your skin will love.
Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3
Pros
Low retinol concentration won’t irritate skin
Brightening
Formulated for all skin types
Cons
Pricey
Dr. Houshmand likes this SkinCeuticals night moisturizer because it’s gentler, due to its lower concentration of retinol. Snehal Amin, MD, FACMS, FAAD, the cofounder and surgical director of MDCS Dermatology in New York, also recommends this pick to beginners, adding that it’s easy to switch to a product with a higher concentration (like the brand’s Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream) once your skin gets acclimated to this one. Another bonus: This cream contains vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that can help even skin texture and tone.
Best Budget: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Night Cream
Pros
Supports the skin barrier
Contains soothing ingredients
Cons
Contains strong fragrance that some Amazon reviewers report smells bad
Dr. Houshmand recommends RoC’s Deep Wrinkle Night Cream if you’re not ready to commit to a pricey product. In addition to retinol, it contains glycolic acid to exfoliate skin and squalane and shea butter to help retain moisture.
Best for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin: Differin 0.1% Adapalene Acne Treatment Gel
Pros
Prevents breakouts
Helps lighten scarring
Unscented
Cons
May be too drying for some
Some Amazon reviewers say it feels sticky
Now a gold standard OTC acne treatment, Differin contains adapalene and can work as both a spot treatment and a product for your entire face. It unclogs pores while preventing future breakouts (although you may go through a purging phase and see more pimples come to the surface when you first start using it).
Best for Sensitive Skin: Skinbetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream
Pros
Contains soothing ingredients
Fragrance-free
Cons
Very pricey
Since retinol can be irritating, you’ll want to be especially cautious if you have sensitive skin. “[This is] one of the most gentle yet effective retinols,” making it a great option for skin care beginners and veterans alike, Dr. Penzi says. The formula includes an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates, along with anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea extract.
Best Extra-Gentle: Kiehl’s Daily Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Facial Serum
Pros
Non-irritating—even for beginners
Supports skin barrier
A little goes a long way
Cons
On the pricey side
This gentle formula from Kiehl’s is a favorite of SELF’s senior commerce editor. “This is the first retinol I tried, and it’s so good that I’ve stuck with it ever since. I have super sensitive combination skin, and this serum has never caused a breakout or any irritation,” she says.
“It’s very lightweight and sinks in in seconds—plus, I love that it doesn’t feel sticky or tacky after I apply it. Even though it’s very gentle, I have noticed a difference (especially when I forget to use it for a few days and then go back to it).” It’s so gentle, in fact, that you can work up to using it twice a day, according to the brand.
Best Moisturizer: Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer Cream
Pros
Thick, rich texture
Budget-friendly
Fragrance-free
Cons
Some Amazon reviewers say it doesn’t soak in well and can feel greasy
This cream works double-duty to provide the benefits of a retinol and a nighttime moisturizer in one product. “It’s great for all skin types,” Dr. Penzi says. As a bonus, it contains niacinamide and glycerin for an extra dose of hydration.
Best for Travel: Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum
Pros
Supports the skin barrier
Capsules help keep the product stable and potent longer
Cons
Pricey
Dr. Houshmand likes this encapsulated retinol from Elizabeth Arden because it’s easy to take on the go and ensures you get the right amount of product every time. Inside each capsule is a cocktail of retinol, peptides, ceramides, and oils, which work in tandem to help your skin look smoother, clearer, and more hydrated over time. (And, if you ask us, the capsules are prettier than anything else we have on our bathroom shelves.)
Best Oil: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair 0.3% Concentrated Retinol Face Oil
Pros
Lower retinol concentration is less likely to irritate skin
A good value
Cons
Contains fragrance
Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in Solana Beach, California, previously told SELF that Neutrogena’s Rapid Repair Retinol Oil is her favorite OTC retinol product, and it’s easy to see why. Thousands of Amazon reviewers say it’s lightweight, easy to apply, and absorbs into the skin quickly.
Best Eye Product: Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Triple Correction Eye Serum
Pros
Gentle
Contains brightening antioxidants and de-puffing caffeine
Cons
Pricey
Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, likes that this easy-to-apply, fast-absorbing retinol gel is safe to use around the eye area. He notes that in addition to retinol, it contains bakuchiol, a gentler plant-based retinol alternative that may also stimulate collagen production.
Best Brightening: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Pros
Moisturizing formula
Multiple ingredients help combat wrinkles
Cons
Pricey
“This retinol contains a blend of peptides, vitamins, and antioxidants to help improve skin tone and texture while also protecting the skin against free radical damage,” Dr. Garshick explains. Free radicals are unstable molecules created in the environment via pollutants and the sun’s UV rays. They can cause fine lines, unevenness, and dark spots, but antioxidants (as well as sunscreen!) may help prevent that damage. Another bonus: This cream also contains an array of moisturizing ingredients, like virgin marula oil.
Best High Concentration: Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Pros
Combats wrinkles with multiple ingredients
Has a high retinol concentration
Cons
Fairly pricey, may be too drying for some
Dr. Geria recommends this retinol from Paula’s Choice, which has a smooth, lotion-like texture that absorbs quickly and contains soothing ingredients like oat extract to prevent irritation. With a relatively potent concentration of 1% retinol, it’s formulated to be highly effective without sapping your skin of its moisture.
Other great options
While the above products are our favorites, there are plenty of other retinols to peruse. If you’re still searching for the right fit, we think the serums and creams below are also worth considering.
La Roche-Posay Redermic R Anti Aging Retinol Cream
Pro
Helps fade dark spots
Great exfoliator
Lightweight, serum-like texture
Cons
Fragrance-free, but some Amazon shoppers don’t like how it smells
This cream combines retinol with lipo-hydroxy acid, a derivative of salicylic acid, for a super-exfoliating formula. “I really see a difference in smoothness, decreased pore size, and how radiant my face looks,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “I can honestly say age spots have faded and my skin texture has improved,” another added.
CeraVe Anti Aging Retinol Serum
Pros
Gentle formula
Brightening
Budget-friendly
Cons
Some Amazon reviewers say it can pill under other skin care
If you’re looking for a more affordable retinol that’ll work for sensitive skin, this one from CeraVe is definitely worth a try. It contains three types of ceramides, which help protect and reinforce your skin barrier, as well as niacinamide, an ingredient that’s anti-inflammatory and soothing. Combining these with retinol means you can get the wrinkle-fighting power you want without major dryness and irritation.
Murad Resurgence Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
Pros
Brightening
Hydrating
Rich feel
Cons
Contains fragrance
Murad’s thick night cream is a great option if you’re looking for a retinol product that can serve as a great moisturizer too. “This stuff is great. It doesn’t irritate my skin like some other retinols,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “It goes on great, I love the smell and texture, and I feel like it's made a difference.”
Naturium Retinol Complex Serum
Pros
Budget-friendly
Contains several moisturizing ingredients
Cons
Some Ulta reviewers say it has an unpleasant smell
This less expensive serum combines retinol with bakuchiol, so you’ll get even more anti-aging benefits with less potential for irritation. It’s also packed with calming, moisturizing ingredients like linseed oil and murumuru seed butter.
“I started using this product, and within days, my skin was glowing, plump, and tight. My natural trouble lines were instantly smoothed out. Not to mention my scars faded and my skin tone truly evened out,” wrote one Ulta reviewer. “I most definitely will continue to use this product. It’s non-irritating and just feels amazing going on, plus it layers very well with other moisturizers.”