Retinol is touted as one of the best skin care ingredients for tackling dullness, acne, fine lines, dark spots, and signs of aging. This vitamin A derivative is popping up in moisturizers, eye creams, and even body lotions—but if you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of options out there, finding a good retinol serum is a great place to start.
A serum is an easy way to add retinol into your routine because you can layer it with products you already know play well with your skin, like your daily moisturizer. Plus, many serums are labeled with their exact retinol concentration, so you can find a lower strength product and work your way up as your skin adjusts (a pro tip from the dermatologists we chatted with for this story).
To find the best retinol serums, we snagged some recommendations from derms and tested a ton for ourselves. Now, we’re glowing—and ready to share our favorites.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Paula's Choice PRO Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment
- Best Budget Pick: Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10%
- Best for Oily Skin: La Roche Posay Retinol B3 Serum
- Best for Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum
- Best for Fine Lines: L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives 0.3% Pure Retinol Serum
- Best for Retinol Fans: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ 0.5% Power Serum
In this article
FAQs about retinol serums
What’s the most effective form of retinol?
Retinol can be irritating (especially if you have sensitive skin), so it’s important to find a serum that works, but isn’t too strong for your face. If you’re new to retinol, a concentration of 0.25% to 0.3% is low enough that your skin should tolerate it well, Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine, tells SELF. Once your skin adjusts to that, she recommends upgrading to a 0.5% concentration “for stronger anti-aging and acne benefits.” From there, you can advance to 1%—past that, Dr. Gohara recommends following a dermatologist’s guidance.
Which ingredients should you look for in a retinol serum?
Because retinol is an exfoliant, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the other ingredients it's paired with—look for ones that are calming and hydrating. Some options that Dr. Gohara suggests:
- Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating superhero.
- Squalane mimics skin’s natural oils and provides moisture.
- Ceramides are lipids that exist naturally in the skin and help lock in moisture.
- Peptides support collagen production, and more collagen equals plump skin.
- Niacinamide has a ton of benefits—but in this case, we’re focused on its ability to calm inflammation.
Dr. Gohara recommends skipping retinol serums that contain:
- Additional exfoliants like AHAs (glycolic acid, for one) or BHAs (think: salicylic acid), since too much exfoliation can irritate your skin.
- Vitamin C, which is best used in the morning to prevent sun damage (while retinol should be applied at night because it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun).
- Fragrance and essential oils because they can also be irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin.
How do you use retinol?
Retinol does its best work at night because your skin is “in regeneration mode while you sleep,” Dr. Gohara says. Plus, sunlight can mess with retinol and make it less effective, she explains.
After washing your face, Dr. Gohara recommends applying a hyaluronic acid serum to hydrate your skin and act as a buffer against dryness. Then, gently apply a pea-sized amount of a retinol serum to your forehead, cheeks, and chin. Once it dries, layer your nighttime moisturizer on top to support your skin barrier.
Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to retinol: Start by using it just once a week, then work your way up to applying it every day, Dr. Gohara suggests. Even if your skin is a little irritated at first—or with each increase in frequency—it’ll eventually adjust, Mina Amin, MD, FAAD, a cosmetic and medical dermatologist at California Dermatology Specialists in Los Angeles, tells SELF.
How we tested retinol serums
I asked SELF staffers to share the retinol serums they’ve used for years. On top of those tried-and-trues, the team took home several popular retinol serums and added them to their nightly skin care routines. After a few weeks, they gave me their unfiltered thoughts on how well the serums improved their skin texture and tone.
Shop the best retinol serums
After testing a bunch of options, we’re confident that these are the very best.
Best Overall: Paula's Choice PRO Retinaldehyde Dual-Retinoid Treatment
Amazon
Paula's Choice
Pros
- Brightens skin
- Gives a nice glow when applied
- Fragrance-free
- Formulated for all skin types
- Didn’t irritate our tester’s skin, unlike other retinols
Cons
- Pricey
Silky and soothing, this treatment has moisturizing jojoba seed oil and anti-inflammatory mushroom extracts that leave our tester’s skin feeling “soft, supple, and bouncy,” as she puts it. Plus, she says her skin looked brighter and glowier instantly after applying it—it’s one of the few serums on our list that gives an immediate result.
“Unlike other retinol serums I’ve tried in the past, this product was gentle on my skin and didn’t cause the retinol uglies (dry patches and flakiness, in my case),” our tester adds. “Retinols can famously be harsh, so one that helps minimize irritation while still delivering the same benefits is definitely bookmark-worthy.” Translation: It’s well worth the higher price tag (and the title of “best overall”).
Product specs
Size: 1 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing castor seed oil, glycerin
Best Budget Pick: Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10%
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Pros
- Low concentration of retinol is great for sensitive skin
- Contains hydrating ingredients to combat dryness
- Fragrance-free
- Under $35
Cons
- Yellow color may be slightly off-putting
This lower concentration serum plays nicely with our tester’s dry, sensitive, and redness-prone skin. “It absorbs quickly, dispenses easily, and is so gentle that I can use it on a nightly basis,” she says. Although the 0.1% formula is on the weaker side, it still delivers results: “My skin feels smoother, looks more even, and the fine lines I already have don’t look any deeper or more pronounced since I started using it,” our tester adds. Other key ingredients like glycerin attract and pull water into the skin to keep it hydrated (as opposed to flaky or scaly).
Since it’s less intense but still effective, irritation, this budget-friendly retinol serum is also our top pick for beginners. “I wouldn't call its results dramatic, but it's delivered some subtle improvements I'm really happy with,” our tester explains.
Product specs
Size: 1.7 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Peptides
Best for Oily Skin: La Roche Posay Retinol B3 Serum
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Pros
- Contains oil-regulating ingredients
- Watery consistency that’s nice for oily skin
- Leaves skin feeling soft
Cons
- Contains fragrance
- Percentage of retinol isn’t listed
- Dropper isn’t the easiest to use
La Roche Posay is a drugstore brand that SELF staffers and derms love, and one tester says its retinol serum is “a solid option for people looking to maintain the look and feel of their skin or address specific issues like acne or dullness.”
Its watery, non-greasy texture absorbs easily into her skin and leaves her face feeling softer and more hydrated (shoutout to glycerin and hyaluronic acid)—which isn’t the case with every retinol product. Her only criticism: The dropper can be a little finicky and may clog up from time to time, although she adds that’s not a dealbreaker, given how well it works.
Product specs
Size: 1 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Soothing and oil-reducing niacinamide, smoothing dimethicone
Best for Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty
Pros
- Pleasant, lightweight texture
- Fragrance-free
- Packed with calming, hydrating ingredients
Cons
- Pricey
This creamy serum is packed with ingredients our experts recommend—hydrating hyaluronic acid, plumping peptides, strengthening ceramides, and calming niacinamide, to name a few. These are dry skin heroes that can stop flakes and scaly patches before they become a problem.
While it’s on the pricier side, one SELF tester says the formula is worth it: “I think it’s a little more potent than ones I’ve used in the past, and it feels more effective!” Plus, a little goes a long way: “I use about two pumps, and it covers my face and neck well,” she says.
Product specs
Size: 0.33 and 1 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing oils (passion fruit, jojoba, apricot, avocado), glycerin
Best for Sensitive Skin: Kiehl’s Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum
Sephora
Nordstrom
Pros
- Fades dark spots
- Doesn’t irritate our tester’s sensitive skin
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Percentage of retinol isn’t listed
One bottle of this serum lasts our tester almost an entire year, and the results don’t quit. “I’m on my second bottle, and I’m not planning on switching things up any time soon,” she says. “It really works! It has helped lighten my dark spots and fade my acne scars.”
Even though it’s tough on hyperpigmentation, the formula takes care of your moisture barrier with protective ceramides and peptides and manages to be gentle on our tester’s “seriously sensitive skin.” She’s also a fan of the texture: “I like that it’s not sticky, it sinks in in seconds, and layers well with all of my other nighttime skin care,” she says.
While it’s not the cheapest option on this list, it’s a solid value. “There are hundreds of pumps in each bottle,” our tester says. “And since I only use one a day, I'm paying less than a penny for each one. It's a total girl math bargain!”
Product specs
Size: 1 and 1.7 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide
Best for Fine Lines: L’Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives 0.3% Pure Retinol Serum
Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty
Pros
- Silky consistency
- Lightweight formula
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some Amazon reviewers with sensitive skin say it causes irritation
It’s easy to forget this is a retinol serum because it feels more like a milky, moisturizing treatment. Although it has a slight yellow tint to it, the formula looks totally clear once I start massaging it in, and it gives my skin a pretty sheen before drying down.
If you’re looking for a middle-of-the-road retinol concentration, this is a great option at 0.3%. It’ll give you the exfoliating, smoothing results you’re after and make sure your skin stays moisturized, with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. (It just might be too strong for very sensitive skin, according to Amazon shoppers.)
Original video by SELF commerce writer Jessica Kasparian
Product specs
Size: 1 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing soybean oil
Best for Retinol Fans: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Pro+ 0.5% Power Serum
Ulta Beauty
Ulta Beauty
Pros
- Absorbs quickly
- Brightens skin
- Contains high concentration of retinol and soothing ingredients
Cons
- Contains fragrance
- Dropper is finicky
If you’ve been around the retinol block a few times, a stronger formula like this one can level up your skin care routine. The consistency stood out to our tester: “I really like the way this serum feels on my skin; it’s almost dry to the touch,” she says. “It absorbed right into my skin without leaving any residue behind.”
After pushing through some dryness and flaking—which is normal when you’re adjusting to retinol—our tester noticed “smoother and brighter” skin. If you’re worried about stripping your barrier, know that this serum combats dryness with soothing bisabolol and emollients like dicaprylyl carbonate.
Original video by SELF tester Abbey Stone
Product specs
Size: 1 fl oz | Other notable ingredients: Moisturizing pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate
More great options
Still haven’t found your perfect match? There are lots of other retinols out there. While we haven’t tested these yet, we still think they’re solid, dermatologist-recommended options worth shopping.
Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Face Serum (1%)
Amazon
Amazon
Pros
- Contains anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Very hydrating
- Fragrance-free
- Formula effectively targets fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
- Pricey
- High retinol concentration may cause irritation
