The 12 Best Retinol Serums for Every Skin Type and Concern, Tested and Reviewed

If you’re even remotely interested in skincare, chances are you’ve heard of retinol, if not dabbled in it personally. As one of the most studied and oft-touted ingredients by dermatologists, aestheticians and beauty editors , retinol has a reputation as “the gold standard for anti-aging” thanks to its ability to tackle things like acne, fine lines and collagen breakdown. Retinol is also a great addition to many people’s skincare routines because it can be found in over-the-counter products (meaning you can buy them without a prescription). 

But can these OTC (and sometimes quite expensive) options work as well as their prescription counterparts? I worked with a team of testers who tried scores to bring you the 12 best retinol serums for every skin type and concern. I also tapped two dermatologists to share their thoughts, along with advice for using a retinol serum in your skincare routine. 

• Dr. Brendan Camp is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College. He specializes in treating conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, moles and skin cancer. He also does cosmetic treatments such as Botox, lasers and the use of rejuvenation devices. 
• Gretchen W. Frieling, MD, is a board-certified dermatopahtologist and founder of GFaceMD. She has 18 years of experience in medicine, dermatopathology, and aesthetics. A global educator and pioneer in ultrasound-guided aesthetic procedures, Dr. G trains medical professionals worldwide through partnerships with leading companies like Galderma, Merz and Benev. She is also a published medical author, journal editor, and a frequent speaker at national and international conferences.

Dr. Frieling recommends starting with a pea-sized amount once a week. “The goal is to gradually increase application to every night and avoid dryness and irritation,” she adds. In regards to your skincare routine, it’s best to use after cleaning/toner and before layering on moisturizer. If you do apply in the morning, the derm suggests applying sunscreen on top, as retinols can make you even more sensitive to the sun. 

I did extensive research on the best retinol serums in the market, combing through countless reviews from popular retailers like Sephora, Amazon, Dermstore and more. From there, I rallied PureWow editors, Gallery Media Staffers and readers to test out one retinol serum for over two months. Each tester was tasked with taking before and after photos of their skin (specifically their areas of concern) and to document their experience after eight weeks. Whether they were trying to tackle dark spots, acne, fine lines or elasticity, each tester analyzed the retinol serum’s key ingredients, concentration levels and reported on if it solved their skincare woes. Here’s the best of the best. 

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• Retinol Type: While retinol is often used as a catchall term for any products containing the ingredient, there are many variants of it (i.e., retinoic acid, tretinoin, retinyl palmitate, retinyl linoleate and retinyl acetate), which all come in varying degrees of strength. 
• Concentration: According to the dermatologists, retinols can range from 0.1 to 0.5 percent. The concentration makes a difference when it comes to your skin type. Dr. Fieling suggests 0.01 to 0.25 percent for sensitive and/or dry skin,, 0.25 to 1 percent for combination skin, 0.5 to 1 percent for oily skin and 0.25 percent for mature skin. However, Dr. Camp recommends everyone should start with a lower concentration, regardless of your skin type. “As your skin develops a tolerance to it, you can gradually increase the strength of the product,” he shares.
• Ingredients: Look for common ingredients like peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which helps make the retinol more gentle, soothing and hydrating. 
• Skin Concerns: While most retinol serums target similar concerns, consider doing research on ones that can tackle your fine lines, dull skin and/or acne. Luckily, I did all the work for you above.