The mild concentration of retinol in this serum makes it a gentle, easy-to-tolerate formulation that can be layered with other anti-acne products. Plus, many acne medications can dry you out. They talk a big game and usually cost a quarter of a month's rent, since most serums rely on a potent range of active ingredients to moisturize where you're dry, brighten where you're dull, or exfoliate where acne has left its mark. Retinoids a re vitamin A and other chemically-related compounds that are used in both anti-aging and anti-acne skin care products. First, make sure your serum comes in an opaque or dark glass bottle or tube, to protect the retinol from light and air—which will make it oxidize quickly and lose potency. Unlike retinol creams, they have a fast-absorbing, fluid texture, and can be worn alone (if you tend to be oilier) or layered under … A very affordable retinol serum that addresses a broad range of skin concerns, from fine lines and wrinkles to acne and dark spots, says Dr. Shari Sperling, a … —Heather Rogers, M.D., Seattle dermatologist and founder of Restore. Retinol is a well-known ingredient in anti-aging creams, gels, and serums. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Best retinol serum for sensitive skin. It just depends on your goals, your budget and what your skin can tolerate. La Roche-Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Do you have a favourite retinol serum?Have you tried any of these? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 1/1/20) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 1/1/20) and Your California Privacy Rights. One of the most common skincare concerns people with acne struggle with is getting rid of acne scars and dark spots. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Neutrogena's serum contains ultrahydrating hyaluronic acid to moisturize and plump your skin without causing breakouts. If you're seeking a powerful but lightweight treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots or acne, consider a retinol serum. These are readily accessible and don't need a prescription for use, unlike more potent forms of retinoids. Retinol has multiple uses. Score: 82/100. —Patricia Wexler, M.D., New York City dermatologist, It's a myth that people with oily skin and acne don't need a moisturizer. In fact, skin oil and skin hydration are two separate issues. Over-the-counter, you'll find not only retinol, but also other vitamin A derivatives, including retinyl propionate, retinaldehyde and retinoic acid esters. Wherever you find yourself browsing a skin-care aisle, you'll almost definitely find a collection of little bottles promising to destroy, Terminator-style, whatever ails you. But with dozens of formulas on the market, how do you pick the right one for your skin? All rights reserved. Retinol is a do-it-all ingredient to help fight acne, lines, wrinkles, and brighten up skin. We rounded up the best retinol serums, creams, and oils with no irritation. Gradually add a retinol serum into your skincare routine by using it one night a week and seeing how your skin reacts first before increasing frequency. “Vitamin A derivatives help to clear acne, as they help to regulate skin cell turnover,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. Why You Need a Retinol Serum in Your Skincare Regimen It’s a dermatologist’s secret weapon for treating everything from acne to wrinkles. It … As … —Francesca Fusco, M.D., dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology, This is an exfoliating salicylic acid and thyme formula, which prevents pimples and pore congestion. Here's what you need to know about how retinol works and the benefits it can have for your skin. Retinol is naturally occurring Vitamin A, and is typically found in milder, over-the-counter products, explains Dr. Garshick. Alastin Renewal Retinol Serum This serum is great for acne-prone skin because the retinol not only fights acne while refining skin texture, but … Their advice? Popular over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid options falling … What many people don’t know is that it can also be used to treat acne and acne-scarred skin. People use retinol cream for wrinkles, acne, cellulite, and more. —H.R. Salicylic acid is wonderful for minimizing pores and keeping them clean. It helps keep your pores unclogged by creating comedolytic agents to help … Although it’s not an acne product, per se, the serum I recommend most often to my acne patients is AmorePacific’s Moisture Bound Rejuvenating Serum. It can also reduce signs of aging and sun damage. See our Disclosure for more information. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, which may have a range of benefits when a person applies it to the skin. Before we get into the products, here's what to look for in a retinol serum. It can be used to combat conditions like acne and can target areas of pigmentation. It's a go-to recommendation to help minimize the risk of irritation from acne medications. What's more, their smaller molecular structure can allow for a higher concentration of active ingredients. ✓Retinol ✓Retinyl propionate ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, ✓Retinaldehyde ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, ✓Retinol ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free, ✓Retinol ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free, Biopelle Retriderm Serum Mild 0.5% Retinol, Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol, ✓Retinol ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, ✓Retinol ✓Low-PUFA ✓Low-silicone ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, CosMedix Elite Refine RX Retinol Resurfacing Serum, ✓Retinol ✓Low-PUFA ✓Low-silicone ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, CosMedix Refine Plus High-Potency Refinishing Treatment, ✓Hydroxypinacolone retinoate ✓Fragrance-free ✓PUFA-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, ✓Retinol ✓Fragrance-free ✓PUFA-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Brightening Solution, ✓Retinol ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum, ✓Retinol ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-PUFA ✓Low-silicone ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum, ✓Retinol ✓PUFA-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, ✓Retinol ✓Glyceryl diretinoate ✓Low-PUFA ✓Low-silicone ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Glowbiotics MD Ultimate Youth Restoring Serum, ✓Retinol ✓Hydroxypinacolone retinoate ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Glowbiotics Retinol Anti-Aging + Brightening Treatment, Honest Beauty Clearing Night Serum with Honestly Pure Retinol, ✓Retinol ✓PUFA-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Honest Beauty Honestly Pure Retinol Serum, ✓Retinol ✓Fragrance-free ✓PUFA-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free, ✓Retinaldehyde ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Cruelty-free, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 Stable Retinal Night Serum, ✓Retinaldehyde ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Cruelty-free, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Stable Retinal Night Serum, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 Stable Retinal Night Serum, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 Stable Retinal Night Serum, Natura Bissé Essential Shock Intense Retinol Fluid, ✓Retinol ✓Hydroxypinacolone retinoate ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Naturopathica Retinol Renewal Concentrate, ✓Retinaldehyde ✓PUFA-free ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, ✓Retinaldehyde ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Osmosis MD Correct Preventative Retinal Serum, ✓Retinol ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Skin Design London Retexturising New Skin, ✓Retinol ✓Fragrance-free ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free, Skin Regimen 1.5 Retinol Booster Wrinkle Concentrate, ✓Retinyl retinoate ✓Low-PUFA ✓Silicone-free ✓Paraben-free ✓Dye-free ✓Cruelty-free. This guide can help! £28.50 BUY NOW. This retinol serum may feel ultra-light on the skin, but it digs deep to smooth uneven texture, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and fade hyperpigmentation. Best for Beginners: First Aid Beauty FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum 0.25% Pure Concentrate Buy on Sephora. (I discuss each type in more detail in my retinoid vs retinol tutorial.). … Retinol is milder; while the results may not be as dramatic, more people tolerate it well. It's a lightweight hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid, and it's full of antioxidants as well as niacinamide to calm redness and reduce pore size. Which is why our Retinol Serum contains both Retinol and Botanical Hyaluronic Acid. Retinol fights acne, fine lines, and wrinkles, but it can be hard to get it right. Retinol can also help treat severe acne, as well as related scarring. (If you prefer a more moisturizing texture, see my guide to the best retinol creams instead!). And by doing so, it also makes topical acne medications (which are inherently drying) more tolerable, which is a very important added benefit. All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here are the best retinol creams and serums according to dermatologists. If you have sensitive skin, start with this low-dose, lightweight formula. It has all the virtues of a serum—extremely lightweight, and effective in very small amounts—combined with an intense and long-lasting hydration effect. To avoid the pain, we asked trusted dermatologists for their opinion on one of the toughest skin-care categories to shop for: the best serums for acne.