The Best Retinol Cream for Face
We looked at the top 8 Retinol Creams for Face and dug through the reviews from 22 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Retinol Creams for Face.
Our Review Process
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Our Picks For The Top Retinol Creams for Face
- 1. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Cream for Face
- 2. Skincare LdeL Cosmetics Anti-Aging Restorative Retinol Cream
- 3. REMEDIAL PAX Day & Night Retinol Cream for Face
- 4. Simplified Skin 2.5% Retinol Cream for Face
- 5. RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream for Face
- 6. Radha Beauty Miracle 2.5% Retinol Cream for Face
- 7. La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol Anti-Aging Cream for Face
- 8. Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Max Cream for Face
In this jar, you’ll get 1.7 ounces of face cream. The formula includes retinol to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and dark spots plus hyaluronic acid for moisture. The formula contains no parabens, mineral oil or dyes and you can choose a fragrance-free version.
Visible ResultsThis cream promises to temporarily diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a smooth complexion.
Packed with the anti-aging ingredient retinol, this night cream is designed to be worn on your face overnight while you sleep. The lightweight, non-greasy feel of the cream will keep you comfortable while it moisturizes. In addition to retinol, you’ll also get vitamins A, C and E.
Feels Light and SmoothIf you're looking for a night cream that doesn’t cake on your skin, this anti-aging formula will work well for you.
This retinol cream is a highly-rated skincare product known for its potent anti-aging properties. Formulated with retinol, hyaluronic acid, and other nourishing ingredients, it targets fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone, promoting smoother, firmer, and more radiant skin. Users appreciate its effectiveness in reducing signs of aging, improvi...
Retinol PowerUsers love the potent anti-aging effects and improved skin texture from this retinol cream, promoting a youthful glow and reduced fine lines.
With a list of ingredients designed to reduce fine lines and keep your skin smooth, this anti-aging cream is a great option. In addition to retinol, it includes Vitamins E and B5, shea butter, green tea and jojoba oil. It adds no harmful chemicals to your beauty routine.
Lightweight and ComfortableYou'll like this retinol product with aloe vera, which gives a cooling effect to the lightweight formula.
Buying Guide
Retinol has become one of the top beauty trends in recent years. You’ll see it listed on moisturizers, lotions and serums. But retinol isn’t just a buzzword — its claims are backed by science, with multiple studies showing that it is effective in reducing wrinkles, fading age spots, and softening skin. With prolonged use, retinol has been found to thicken the epidermis and boost collagen production. Using retinol regularly can improve your skin in numerous ways.
Perhaps the best thing about retinol is that it’s more or less a topical form of vitamin A. It’s used not only for reducing fine lines, but also to help lessen the appearance of blemishes and spots. Prescription versions called retinoids are more potent, but as an over-the-counter product, retinol is pretty powerful in itself.
Retinol products can come with side effects, though, especially if you start out using it aggressively. Some experience red skin or peeling skin and itchiness after using them. It’s best to try small amounts every few days at first, then use it more often once you’re comfortable that you won’t have a reaction.
To counter the drying effects of retinol products, many of them build in moisturizers. If you’re concerned about chemicals, you’ll want to look for one that uses natural oils and vitamins for hydration, such as the humectant hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in your eyes and joints. Since hyaluronic acid production slows with age, many anti-aging products build this ingredient in.
For additional moisture, aloe vera and natural oils like jojoba oil and shea butter are popular add-ins. Some products claim a proprietary mix of vitamins and oils designed to nourish the skin.
Over the years, researchers have looked into retinol’s effectiveness in wound healing. The ability to thicken the epidermis and boost collagen production can be a great help when you’re waiting for skin to repair itself. However, if this is important to you, please consult a physician for proper retinol use.
Why we recommend these retinol creams for face?
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Our experts reviewed the top 8 Retinol Creams for Face and also dug through the reviews from 22 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Retinol Creams for Face.
DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.
The Best Bang For Your Buck
Simplified Skin 2.5% Retinol Cream for Face
Key Takeawy
With a list of ingredients designed to reduce fine lines and keep your skin smooth, this anti-aging cream is a great option. In addition to retinol, it includes Vitamins E and B5, shea butter, green tea and jojoba oil. It adds no harmful chemicals to your beauty routine.
What other experts liked
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What to Look For
- Retinol can work well to improve skin appearance. If you have a blemish you’re concerned about, though, make sure you consult a physician.
- If you’re worried you may react badly to retinol, test a small patch of skin and wait a day or two to make sure all is good before expanding to a wider area.
- Retinol makes skin more sensitive to UV rays. Most products are designed to be used at night, but you should still wear sunscreen during the daytime while you’re using retinol regularly. If you’re leaving for a sun-filled vacation soon, take a break from retinol treatments until you return.
- Clogged pores can be a problem with some moisturizers. Make sure you choose moisturizers marked non-comedogenic, which means they’re designed not to clog pores.
- Some products build retinol in, but if you’re looking for noticeable results quickly, you’ll need something more concentrated. These are often sold in 1- to 2-ounce bottles or tubes. A great thing about this smaller format is that it’s easy to slide into a pocket of your overnight bag or into a corner of your makeup kit.
- You can find retinol products that are free of parabens and other synthetic substances. You can also find retinol products that promise no animal cruelty was involved in their manufacture along with ones that use sustainable packaging.
- Fragrance can be a problem, especially if you have sensitivities. Some retinol products promise to be fragrance-free but may still have a light scent to them.
More to Explore
Although ancient Egyptians and Greeks didn’t realize it, they were using vitamin A as a treatment when they tried to cure night blindness with the use animal livers. But it wasn’t until 1912 that Frederick Gowland Hopkins discovered the factors in milk that would eventually be recognized as vitamin A.
Then, in 1943, the first study using retinoic acid to treat acne was published. This led to this topical form of vitamin A becoming a widely used acne treatment in the decades to follow. But the big breakthrough came in 1983, when a published study confirmed that retinoic acid could be a suitable treatment for skin aging. Due to the skin irritation that came from using products with retinoic acid, though, a milder form called retinol was developed in the 1990s.