18 best retinol serums 2024, according to dermatologists

When it comes to your skin care routine, choosing the best retinol serum may be the special magic trick that'll leave your complexion glowing and youthful looking.

In order to learn more about what retinol is and how it benefits skin, Shop TODAY spoke with multiple board-certified dermatologists and skin care experts who provided insight on the ingredient.

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What is retinol serum? | Editor faves | Best derm-approved retinol serums | Retinol safety | What to expect | How we chose | Meet the experts

Much like other retinol products, retinol serums are sought after for their anti-aging benefits and they're available over the counter, no prescription required.

"It is a weaker version of the prescription strength retinoid, tretinoin (Retin-A). Prescription strength topical retinoids can be difficult to tolerate for some patients with sensitive skin, and retinols can be a gentler alternative for these patients," says Dr. Leah Jacob, an assistant professor of dermatology at Tulane University.

How does it work? “When applied to the skin, retinol works to increase cell turnover, in turn helping to refine the skin and signs of aging that are often caused by environmental factors,” explains Dr. Kim Nichols, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of NicholsMD of Greenwich in Connecticut.

“When used properly and consistently, retinol can reduce redness, inflammation and pore size, while simultaneously reducing the appearance of blemishes, hyperpigmentation and stubborn dark spots associated with problematic skin,” adds Nichols, who says retinol is the number one anti-aging ingredient that she recommends to her clients.

Size: 1.0 fl oz. | Other key ingredients: Myoxinol, Iselight

"I went to the launch event for this product and the founder, Sabrina Elba, was explaining all about how her products are A-beauty based (aka ingredients are derived from Africa!)," says associate editor Kamari Stewart.

"I’ve been trying it a few times a week for the past month or so and can honestly say this is super gentle. I think it’s a perfect starter retinol for anyone who has had a bad experience or has just never used it before. It makes my skin feel super soft," explains Stewart.

Size: 1.0 fl oz. | Other key ingredients: Lactic acid, pyrus malus (apple) fruit extract

Senior editor Jess Bender says now that she's in her mid 30s, it's time for her to put more emphasis on her skin care routine. "This being my first retinol serum ever, I was a little hesitant going in knowing that retinol could lead to flaking or dryness. However, after about two months of usage so far, I haven’t had either of those effects thus far!" she says.

"The immediate results I’ve seen are more tied to an increased brightness in my complexion and a more even skin texture, so I’m eager to see the long-term effects over time," shares Bender.

Madison San Miguel, an editorial assistant at Shop TODAY, is also a fan of this retinol serum. She says, "I’ve used some heavy-duty retinol in the past, including being prescribed Tretinoin. My skin is dry and a tad sensitive from my severe acne days, and while these strong retinols works, they can sometimes dry out my skin in some areas."

San Miguel continues, "I found that this serum is an incredible and more gentle alternative to the ones I’ve tried. It also has been highly raved about for YEARS! I haven’t received any irritation or increase sensitivity from it — and it doesn’t have a burning sensation afterwards, too, despite containing a small amount of AHAs. It has the best of both worlds!"

Size: 1.0 fl oz. | Other key ingredients: Bakuchiol, allantoin, niacinamide

"This is my first retinol serum, and I’m really impressed with it," shares commerce editor Amanda Fama. "I’ve been using it at night for about one month, and my skin is visibly smoother," she continues.

"I was initially worried about using retinol (since my skin is naturally super dry), but this serum feels hydrating, thanks to the added ingredients like allantoin. I’ve been using sunscreen during the day and that also seems to be helping my skin remain smooth/ hydrated/ healthy," Fama says.

Best budget-friendly retinol serum

Size: 1.0 oz. | % of retinol: 1 | Other key ingredients: Squalane

Dr. Liia Ramachandra, a former pharmacy executive and skin care expert, digs this budget-friendly option because it’s affordable and effective. Made for all skin types, it helps treat uneven skin tone, textural irregularities, signs of aging and dryness.

“There’s no fuss. It’s just retinol in squalane (a great hydrating solution), which makes retinol application easier,” she explains.

The water-free serum contains a light concentration of retinol (1%, to be precise), making it ideal for anyone with sensitive skin.

Best for combo skin

Size: 1.69 oz. | Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, collagen, vitamin B5, aloe vera

This anti-aging retinol serum is a force to be reckoned with and has several add-on ingredients to help nourish skin, all while it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

“It incorporates hyaluronic acid, which is another great hydrating ingredient to help reduce potential skin dryness with retinol use,” Dr. Robert Anolik, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, says.

As an added bonus, it’s sold at an accessible price, it’s vegan, hypoallergenic and free of parabens and phthalates.

Budget-friendly option

Size: 1.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: Vitamin C & E

Made with cocoa butter, this moisturizing oil is designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and dark spots. This skin care therapy is a No. 1 bestselling facial oil on Amazon and contains vitamin E, C and a blend of 10 pure facial oils. Satisfied customers speak to the texture, quality and thickness of the moisturizer.

Best for those with acne

Size: 0.5 oz. | % of retinol: 0.1

Sick of breakouts rearing their ugly head at the most inconvenient time? Retinol can whip your skin into shape, clearing and preventing acne. This popular Differin acne gel (seriously, it’s accumulated over 78,900 verified Amazon ratings) takes things one step further and reduces inflammation to tackle pimples, blackheads and clogged pores.

Not sure where retinol is supposed to fit into your nighttime skin care routine? Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch offers one important piece of advice: “Apply to clean, dry skin only, and only use a pea-sized drop.”

Best overall retinol serum

Size: 1.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, licorice root extract

A Shop TODAY Beauty Award winner for best budget anti-aging serum, three of the derms we polled cited this affordable CeraVe retinol serum as one of their go-tos.

“It contains hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides, which hydrate the skin, and niacinamide and licorice root extract, which help with uneven dark discoloration,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified dermatologist and author of the book, “Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist.”

Ramachandra enjoys the lightweight, gel-like consistency, calling it “great for acne,” and Anolik also appreciates the added ceramides, which help “soothe the skin” and counteract some of the side effects of retinol.

Best dual-action retinol serum

Size: 1.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid

Over 8,200 verified Amazon shoppers have given this bestseller a five-star rating; just like them, Lamb is also a huge fan of the dual-action wrinkle filler. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid to help restore moisture, and the brand says it can improve the appearance of deep wrinkles in just four weeks.

Best retinol capsules

Size: 0.35 oz. | Other key ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane

More than 13,100 verified Amazon shoppers have bestowed a five-star rating on this bestseller that Ramachandra also adores. “The capsules make it so easy to apply. It’s perfect when you’re on the go or traveling, and it has clinically proven results,” she says.

The encapsulated night serum is formulated with retinol and antioxidants that offer anti-aging benefits and leave skin ultra-hydrated.

One satisfied shopper compared it to “new skin in a jar” and another called it “magic in a bottle.”

Best facial oil with retinol

Size: 1.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide

Retinol is pretty strong on its own, but when combined with other ingredients, it can become a true powerhouse, and this oil is a perfect example of that. "The addition of salicylic acid to this serum increases its efficacy and makes results more noticeable," Jacob tells us.

This facial oil formula absorbs quickly and targets deep wrinkles and dark spots. One happy shopper called it a "must-have holy grail product," and other reviewers used the following terms to describe it: "miraculous," "amazing" and "gentle yet effective."

Best for mature skin

Size: 1.0 oz | Other key ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid

Jacob cites this serum as one of her top retinol picks, and Amazon reviewers agree: It has over 8,600 verified five-star ratings on Amazon. The lightweight yet effective hypoallergenic formula features niacinamide, glycerin and gradual-release retinol, making it a triple threat that offers effective results.

Customers are clearly impressed with its prowess, too.

"I have sensitive skin and other serums have burned in the past. I have had no redness or burning sensations!" one reviewer wrote. Another customer left the following review: "I have sensitive skin and it works amazing. After a month of buying it, I can see great results."

Best for uneven skin texture

Size: 1.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: Lipo-hydroxy acid, thermal spring water

When using a retinol serum, it's important to use sunscreen since the ingredient can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

"Begin application once every two to three days, and increase to daily application as tolerated. If excessive irritation occurs, mixing the serum with your favorite moisturizer can help to improve tolerability," Jacob tells us.

The derm recommends this anti-aging formula that's ideal for reducing wrinkles on the upper lip, forehead and crow's feet. Aside from retinol, other notable ingredients include soothing La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water and exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid.

Best K-beauty retinol serum

Size: 1.01 oz. | % of retinol: 0.1 | Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, cloudberry seed extract, perilla leaf extract, heartleaf extract

Like its name suggests, you really can have it all with this serum: glowing skin without any flakiness, redness or irritation that retinol can cause if not used correctly.

Peach & Lily founder and CEO Alicia Yoon worked closely with clean cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline, as well as a team of skin care experts, for three years to develop this innovative formula. After 288 (!) unique iterations, the final result is one you can count on for reducing fine lines and dark spots, visibly improving skin texture.

The rich yellow hue comes from potent retinal (yes, spelled with an “a”), which is 20 times more effective and works 11 times faster than traditional retinol, thanks to the brand’s so-called R-IQ Technology.

So, how is this product so effective and gentle at the same time? It’s filled with a potent dose of 0.1% retinal (the most powerful non-prescription retinoid available) as well as 0.3% ectoin, an extremolyte that prevents retinoid-induced inflammation.

Best reactivating retinol serum

Size: 1.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, collagen, vitamin C

This reactivating retinol serum is proven to restore 10 signals of healthy bounce skin in one week, according to the brand. Designed for all skin types, the patented vitality booster is loaded with oxygen for bouncy and healthy skin.

"This is a great product! It has a super refreshing smell and doesn’t irritate the skin like some products do. I would highly recommend to anyone with sensitive skin who struggles to find a quality product that actually works and doesn’t irritate your skin!" raved one verified five-star reviewer on Amazon.

Best nighttime retinol serum

Size: 0.94 oz. | % of retinol: 0.3 | Other key ingredients: Glycerin, panthenol

Looking for results ASAP? Think of this Kiehl’s retinol night serum as a time capsule in a bottle. It’ll work wonders while you catch those zzz’s, delivering visible reduction of fine lines in just five days and visible improvement in deep wrinkles in two weeks, according to the brand.

The packaging is smartly designed to keep the formula fresh and ensure maximum efficiency: Upon the first use, push down on the capsule to release the pure retinol powder, give it a little shake and apply.

Splurge-worthy retinol serum

Size: 4.8 oz. | Other key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, swertia flower extract

According to the brand, the Murad Youth Retinol Renewal Serum is gentle enough for nightly use — although take Dr. Mary L. Stevenson's advice (below) into consideration to start slowly. “This serum contains hyaluronic acid, which helps counteract the drying effect of the retinol and can be tolerated on skin that usually gets dry,” says Dr. Morgan Rabach, a board-certified dermatologist.

This formula aims to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, firm and smooth skin, as well as give it a glow after four weeks. It’s also made with swertia flower extract to help increase skin’s resilience.

Splurge-worthy retinol serum

Size: 1.0 oz. | Other key ingredients: AHAs, prebiotic oat kernel ferment

This retinol serum by Eve Lom is a splurge, but one that’s worth it if you’re looking for a fast and effective skin care boost.

It’s made with a blend of wrinkle-fighting liposome-encapsulated retinol and microbiome-rebalancing prebiotic oat kernel ferment, and it’s fortified with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs); all this means that it’ll exfoliate your skin while plumping, hydrating and smoothing it.

A satisfied user who calls this serum a “miracle” noted, “I have been using this product for about a month, and I can hardly see any of my fine lines anymore. Also, my skin tone seems more even and radiant. I absolutely love the packaging as well. I would definitely recommend.”

If you have sensitive skin, plan on proceeding with caution so you give your complexion some time to warm up to the retinol.

“Those with dry or sensitive skin need to be more cautious with retinols. Start low and slow, using a small amount on the face twice a week at night and increasing every two weeks to every other night and then nightly as tolerated,” Stevenson recommends.

Retinols should be avoided while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, and those with certain skin conditions like eczema or rosacea should also steer clear of the ingredient.

“They are safe for most skin types, but you have to be careful that if your skin is sensitive you go slowly and be careful that you are not in too much sun exposure, especially when you start,” Lamb explains.

Nichols notes, “I advise my patients who cannot tolerate retinol to switch to another active chemical exfoliant such as azelaic acid, glycolic acid or salicylic acid.” For personal recommendations, visiting a board-certified dermatologist is your best bet to help you achieve your specific skin care goals.

Whenever you try a new skin care ingredient, it's best to take things slow to see how your complexion will respond, and that's especially true when it comes to retinol.

"The trick is that less is more. Using them to the point of redness, flakiness or irritation does not give you more benefit. You have to find the sweet spot for your own skin. Some can use more than others, so find the right balance for your skin type and work with a board-certified dermatologist," Stevenson says.

Occasionally, retinol users experience irritation known as retinoid dermatitis, but that usually resolves itself over time as your skin gets used to the ingredient.

"To ease the start of a retinol in a skin care regimen, I’ll often recommend starting use every other evening and applying a soothing moisturizer right on top of it. In some cases I even recommend a so called 'retinol sandwich,' which involves applying a moisturizer, then the retinol, and then another layer of moisturizer," explains Anolik.

“There is no right answer here because the percentage of retinol is a very individual matter," Rabach summarizes. "I like to start my patients on the lowest strength, usually 0.025% and then move them up 0.05% and then 0.1% as tolerated.”

Rabach notes that even at the lowest strengths, she advises her patients to start a few times a week, and use moisturizer with the retinol because all retinols cause dryness.

“After around a month of use, the skin gets more acclimated to the retinol, and then you can use it more frequently,” she says. “If a patient is using it every day with no dryness and the skin is still oily, you can move to the next higher-strength retinol.”

“Incorporating retinol into your regimen is a marathon, not a sprint," Nichols says. The key is to condition your skin prior to using high concentrations of retinol.

“When you use too much at once, you risk the chance of irritation and dry skin. Your skin needs to adjust to the rapid cell turnover,” they advise. “Start with a lower concentration and slowly work your way up. I suggest my patients start off using retinol about every three nights, eventually working their way to nightly use.”

Retinol should be used at night only because it is deactivated by UV light, and thus, becomes ineffective. This powerhouse ingredient works synergistically with many ingredients. Nichols swears by the trifecta: an antioxidant, retinol and SPF.

She says, “This holy grail of products is the easiest and most affordable way to maintain healthy, glowing skin while combating signs of aging.”

Rabach mentions another important point when using retinol: “I recommend using a moisturizer with retinol and limiting other acids on the skin at the same time you are using it,” she says.

Retinols should be used sparingly (a pea-sized amount will do) and with moisturizer. Also worth noting: the skin around your eyes is very thin and sensitive, so it likely won't tolerate the same amount or frequency of retinol used elsewhere on your body.

“Three to six months is the standard timeline where consumers can expect to notice changes in the skin,” Nichols explains. “It's essential to stick to the product before giving up for the skin to get used to the retinol.”

In general, you can tell that retinol is working when you notice your skin is smoother, softer, brighter and less congested overall.

The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best retinol serums for this story using a few methods: enlisting the recommendations of top dermatologists, reading through user reviews, filtering our searches for highly rated, bestselling and favorably reviewed products, and testing some retinol serums ourselves to share our own tried-and-true favorites.

Chrissy Callahan covers a range of topics for TODAY.com, including fashion, beauty, pop culture and food. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, watching bad reality TV and consuming copious amounts of cookie dough.

Wendy Sy is a writer, editor and content creator based in New York City.