The golden age of skincare has well and truly arrived, with more and more people investing in multi-step regimens to boost their complexion.
When creating a skincare routine, it all comes down to a few key active ingredients that work overtime to create that sought-after youthful glow – and one that’s creating quite a buzz is retinol.
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, also known as vitamin A. It’s actually one type of a larger class of potent chemical compounds frequently used in skincare called retinoids. As active ingredients, they increase both collagen production and skin cell turnover, resulting in a more even complexion with minimised fine lines and wrinkles, less visible pores, and reduced sebum (which contributes to oiliness).
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In this article
OUR TOP PICKS
CeraVe Retinol Serum for Post-Acne Marks and Skin Texture
Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment
Kiehl’s Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Retinol Serum
EDITOR’S PICKS: BEST RETINOL SERUMS AND CREAMS
CeraVe Retinol Serum for Post-Acne Marks and Skin Texture, $42.95 at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
This CeraVe retinol is specifically designed to treat acne marks and improve skin texture, containing encapsulated retinol, niacinamide and CeraVe’s signature three essential ceramides to restore and look after the skin barrier.
Did we mention it has more than 28,000 five star reviews on Amazon?
“CeraVe retinol is a really good choice if you’re just starting to use retinol as part of your routine,” one five star review reads.
“I’ve experienced zero irritation so far and even though it’s a small bottle it’s lasting me for quite a while. I bought it mainly for anti-ageing but it’s helped a lot with breakouts from wearing a mask all day. Definitely will repurchase.”
Another reviewer noted the budget serum “surprisingly works” and raved about their “significantly improved skin look and feel”.
Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment, $89 at Paula’s Choice
What You Need To Know
The Paula’s Choice 1% Retinol Treatment is a potent yet light lotion that promises to absorb quickly into the skin, working to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin tone. Things like licorice and oat extract have also been included to help calm redness and increase hydration.
It’s racked up over 2500 five-star ratings on Google Reviews, with five-star rating Paula’s Choice customers calling it a “miracle in a bottle” and noting it’s the “best treatment” they’ve ever used.
If you’re interested, the brand also offers retinol propionate, and it comes in the form of the new Resist Triple Active Total Repair Serum. Retinol propionate is a derivative of Vitamin A that is generally considered to be less irritating than your traditional retinol serum.
Kiehl’s Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Retinol Serum, from $103 at Kiehl’s
What You Need To Know
This product is one of the brand’s bestsellers – and it’s easy to see why.
Not only does the potent retinol serum promote skin cell turnover, it also works hard to strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier, leaving you with a soft, healthy and youthful complexion.
Formulated with a bunch of skin-loving ceramides and peptides, the Kiehl’s Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Retinol Serum is perfect for all skin types, especially those with sensitive skin and beginners.
It’s racked up an average rating of 4.5 out of five on the Kiehl’s website, with a whopping 2500 five-star ratings. Happy customers have said it’s an “easy addition” to their night time routine, a “great introduction to retinol and perfect for someone with sensitive skin”.
BEST RETINOL FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol B3 Serum, $71.95 at Chemist Warehouse
What You Need To Know
Designed to target fine lines and wrinkles, improve moisture retention and the appearance of uneven skin texture, La Roche-Posay’s Retinol Serum claims to provide visible results within a week. Added vitamin B3 soothes and softens skin and restores the skin’s natural moisture barrier, too.
On the Chemist Warehouse website, over 700 people have awarded the serum five stars, with customers noting “you won’t regret it”, “I was told I look 10 years younger” and “worth the money”.
BEST AFFORDABLE RETINOL SERUM
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane, $14 at Myer
What You Need To Know
This cruelty-free and vegan solution from The Ordinary contains a powerful one per cent of pure retinol, to reduce the appearance of fine lines, photo damage, and general skin ageing. As a high-strength formula, it’s a good choice if you’ve tried lower strength retinol (like the brand’s 0.2% formulation) first to let your skin become accustomed.
Almost 300 Myer reviewers have given it a five-star rating, with one commenting: “I love this product and the difference it has made to the overall texture of my skin.
“Definitely use SPF when using this treatment at night as it makes skin more sensitive but improves hormonal breakouts massively.”
BEST HYDRATING RETINOL SERUM
Paula’s Choice Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum, $66 at Paula’s Choice
What You Need To Know
Featuring stable retinol with a mid-strength 0.1 per cent concentration, this Paula’s Choice Serum also contains vitamins C and E to brighten skin, and squalene to hydrate, leaving your face looking younger and glowy.
One of the hundreds of five-star reviewers called it a “holy grail”, adding: “I’ve been using this for a week and I’m kicking myself I didn’t find it earlier. I use after PC BHA Exfoliant and my skin has never looked better.
“It absorbs into the skin quickly and leaves it soft, plump and glowy without appearing greasy. My skin is super sensitive and this doesn’t irritate it at all, which never happens for me with products containing retinol. Highly recommend!”.
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum, from $160 at Myer
What You Need To Know
Containing an array of capsules that are individually sealed for optimal freshness and potency, Elizabeth Arden’s formulation contains wrinkle-smoothing retinol and moisture-boosting ceramides. Each capsule contains just enough to cover your face, neck and décolletage.
With a 4.6-star average rating on the Myer website, you can expect serious results.
“This Retinol Ceramide Capsules did more in a week than my last serum (did) in five months!” wrote one reviewer.
“Among many benefits this has really softened my crow’s-feet lines and faded the dark circles under my eyes! It also got rid of the redness. My skin texture overall is improving. It just looks healthier and a lot less dull.”
BEST PREMIUM RETINOL SERUM
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, from $130 at Estee Lauder
What You Need To Know
If you’re happy to spend a little more on a retinol serum that you know is loved and adored by thousands of others, you need to try Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair.
This fast-absorbing retinol serum reduces visible signs of ageing, while leaving your skin feeling soft and looking totally radiant. It’s gentle enough to be used every night and the unique blend of peptides work hard while you sleep.
The humble serum has racked up over 55,000 five-star ratings on Google Reviews, with one customer commenting: “If you want to invest in a skincare product – choose this one!”
Another happy customer called it the “best night serum ever”, noting “the texture is so soothing for night time”.
Alpha-H Vitamin A Serum with 0.5% Retinol, $84.95 at Alpha-H
What You Need To Know
This rejuvenating night serum may not come cheap, but with a close to five-star average rating from over 100 reviews, it’s worth your spend. Containing retinol to increase collagen production, reduce sebum production, and improve skin texture and tone, it also features tomato seed extract to reduce redness, and squalene, evening primrose, and macadamia seed oil to hydrate.
“I’ve used this product every other night for about a month now and I noticed that my breakouts have healed faster and I also don’t breakout as much. My skin feels so smooth the next day and less oily,” wrote one five-star reviewer.
Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum, $105 at Sephora
What You Need To Know
This serum has over 600 reviews, with an average rating just shy of a full five stars – which makes its high price tag a lot less scary. Its advanced combination of 1.5 per cent retinol along with vitamins E and C encourage the skin’s renewal process, improving tone, texture, collagen production, and moisture.
One reviewer noted that its inclusion of hydrating oil saves you an extra purchase, writing: “This retinol is extremely non-irritating and effective (which is hard to find). If you’re starting to see some signs of ageing (30s, 40s or 50s) I highly recommend it.
“All of my fine lines fade to almost non existent and people think I look about 10 years younger than my age. I’ve tried other retinols, and they always irritate my skin. But not this one”.
Trinny London Overnight Sensation, $130 at Trinny London
What You Need To Know
If you’ve ever wondered what Trinny Woodall has been doing since iconic 2000s TV show What Not To Wear ended, then you’re about to find out.
Turns out she’s been busy creating beauty brand Trinny London, which launched in 2017 and has achievable cult status, thanks in part to its stackable makeup pots.
Overnight Sensation contains anti-flaking retinal+ and granactive retinoid® to target the appearance of wrinkles and firm skin.
BEST VITAMIN A CREAM
What You Need To Know
If you prefer your skincare routine to be as simple as possible then this night cream from L’Oreal will be right up your alley.
Key ingredients include anti-ageing holy grails retinol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to intensely hydrate the skin.
One of the coolest features about this night cream is its push-down dispenser which gives the product in an even single dose and is more hygienic.
BEST VITAMIN A RETINOL ALTERNATIVE
While retinol is one of the most clinically proven skincare ingredients for anti-ageing, it isn’t for everyone.
It can be too harsh for sensitive skin types and if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, will need to be avoided.
JSHealth Luminous Vitamin Oil, $59.99 at JSHealth Vitamins
What You Need To Know
This skin oil from JSHealth contains bakuchiol, a natural antioxidant that’s widely considered an alternative to retinol (although you should check with a medical professional if you’re unsure about use).
It also contains nourishing natural ingredients like vitamin A rich buriti oil, pomegranate for antioxidants and marula oil.
Five star reviewers say it leaves skin “so dewy and hydrated”, with one shopper writing: “My skin has never looked so radiant. I’m obsessed!”
Beauté Pacifique Super 3 Booster Night Cream, $104 at Adore Beauty
What You Need To Know
The Beauté Pacifique Super 3 Booster Night Cream contains two forms of stable vitamin A which target uneven texture and pigmentation, while the addition of squalene helps to hydrate your skin.
It also contains Propolis Cera Water Extract which has natural antimicrobial properties. 100 per cent of Adore Beauty customers who purchased the cream would recommend it, with one five star review describing it as a “fabulous product that does what it says”.
ARE RETINOL AND VITAMIN A THE SAME THING?
Not quite – retinol is a type of retinoid, which in turn is one form of vitamin A.
WHAT AGE SHOULD YOU STARTING USING RETINOL?
There’s no right or wrong answer here. If you’re looking for retinol to help with anti-ageing, it’s best to start retinol in your late 20s or early 30s, before those wrinkles start to form.
Retinol can also benefit those who suffer with acne, so in theory, you can use retinol at any age.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GET STARTED ON RETINOL?
Retinol is a potent ingredient so we spoke to Desiree Stordahl, director of applied research and education at Paula’s Choice, to get the lowdown on how one should start incorporating it into their routine.
“If you’re new to retinol, it’s smart to start with the ‘low and slow’ method,” she said.
According to Desiree, you should start with a low concentration (somewhere in the 0.01 per cent to 0.03 per cent range) and slowly introducing it into your routine.
“Limit initial use to just a couple times per week and assess how your skin is doing. If you don’t experience any signs of irritation, gradually increase frequency of application,” she said.
“Some people can use retinol every day, others only a couple times per week. It all comes down to your skin’s individual tolerance and the strength of the product that you’re using.”
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS TO RETINOL?
They’re not necessarily bad (and scary) side effects, but there are some things you should look out for when incorporating retinol into your skincare routine.
“If the retinol formula that you’re using is too powerful for your skin, you’ll see signs of irritation like redness, flaking or uncomfortable feeling skin, in which case you should scale back how often you’re using it or switch to a lower strength,” Desiree said.
“Some people experience a purging phase when first starting on retinol or prescription retinoid products. This can present itself as breakout-like dots and bumps across the skin. Eventually as your skin gets acclimated, the purging tapers off and you see results from the product.”
Desiree Stordahl
More Coverage
Desiree Stordahl is the director of applied research and education at Paula’s Choice, with over 12 years of experience. Her mission is to cut through the hype and help consumers understand what their skin needs to thrive based on research and facts — not gimmicks. She’s co-authored many of Paula’s best-selling books and has written many of the brand’s skin care advice articles that cover the beauty industry’s most complex issues.
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Originally published as Best retinol serums and vitamin A creams for women of all ages
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